November 2025
Released January 08, 2026
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United States
Employment snapshot
The highest unemployment rate was 6.5 percent in District of Columbia, and the lowest was 2.1 percent in South Dakota.
In November, payroll jobs rose in 35 states and fell in 15. The largest payroll job percent increase was 0.3 percent in Idaho, Iowa, Kansas, and Mississippi. The largest payroll job percent decline was 0.4 percent in New Hampshire.
Wisconsin
Employment snapshot
In November, Wisconsin added 200 net payroll jobs. In the prior month, Wisconsin lost 10,500 net payroll jobs.
Over the past 12 months, Wisconsin lost 2,400 net payroll jobs and the unemployment rate remained unchanged.
Nationally, nonfarm payrolls rose by 64,000 in November. Wisconsin is tied for 43rd in the nation for percentage gain in nonfarm payroll employment over the past 12 months.
In November, Wisconsin’s private sector added 1,300 net private payroll jobs, and over the past 12 months it added 9,900 private payroll jobs. In the prior month, Wisconsin lost 6,100 net private payroll jobs.
Wisconsin
Payroll employment
Wisconsin added 200 net payroll jobs, or 0 percent, on a seasonally adjusted basis during November. In the prior month, Wisconsin lost 10,500 jobs. Wisconsin nonfarm payroll employment has increased in 6 of the past 12 months.
Nationally, nonfarm payrolls rose by 64,000 in November, or 0 percent. Wisconsin is tied for 43rd in the nation for percentage gain in nonfarm payroll employment over the past 12 months.
Wisconsin added 1,300 private sector jobs, or 0 percent, on a seasonally adjusted basis during November. In the prior month, Wisconsin lost 6,100 jobs. Wisconsin private sector payroll employment has increased in 6 of the past 12 months.
Nationally, private sector payroll jobs rose by 69,000 jobs in November, or 0.1 percent. Wisconsin is tied for 35th in the nation for percentage gain in private sector payroll employment over the past 12 months.
From October 2025 to November 2025:
- The best performing sectors were Professional and Business Services (+1,800) and Other Services (+1,700).
- The worst performing sectors were Manufacturing (-1,300) and Leisure and Hospitality (-1,200).
From November 2024 to November 2025:
- The best performing sectors were Private Education and Health Services (+10,100) and Leisure and Hospitality (+5,900).
- The worst performing sectors were State and Local Government (-9,900) and Trade, Transportation, and Utilities (-8,400).
Wisconsin
Labor force
The labor force participation rate is the percentage of the civilian noninstitutionalized population age 16 and older who are employed or actively looking for work.
- Wisconsin ranks 17th in the nation.