The State of Wisconsin created 15,524 more jobs than previously reported from March of 2012 to March of 2013, according to preliminary U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics figures released by the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development.
Figures indicate the state added a total of 24,124 private sector jobs in that 12-month period, much higher than preliminary monthly reports that are based on a smaller sample of employees. The March-to-March figures include a gain of 3,500 construction jobs.
The yearly snapshot comes from the Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages, or QCEW, which is based on data from roughly 95% of Wisconsin employers.
Still, the March-to-March data are behind the yearly pace set from December of 2011 to December of 2012, when 32,282 private-sector jobs were created.
Revised seasonally adjusted numbers for the month of June indicate that 15,600 private sector jobs were gained, an upward revision of 1,800 jobs. The total nonfarm job gain, which includes private-sector and government jobs, was revised upward by 1,200, to 18,700.
Preliminary numbers for the month of July indicate that Wisconsin added 1,800 private-sector jobs. This number, based on the much smaller sample size of about 3%, is always subject to revision, sometimes significant revision.
The state unemployment rate is unchanged at 6.8% but still compares favorably to the national unemployment rate of 7.4%.
In other economic measures, the DWD reported that through June:
- State revenue collections increased by 4.4% over the same period in 2012.
- New business formation is up 2.9% over the first six months of 2012.
