March 2026 | Released May 06, 2026
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United States
Employment snapshot
In March, among the 50 states and the District of Columbia unemployment fell in 14, rose in 10, and remained unchanged in 27.
The highest unemployment rate was 6.3 percent in District of Columbia, and the lowest was 2.3 percent in South Dakota. Nationally, the unemployment rate fell by 0.1 percentage point to 4.3 percent.
In March, payroll jobs rose in 35 states and fell in 15. The largest payroll job percent increase was 0.4 percent in Tennessee. The largest payroll job percent decline was 0.2 percent in Hawaii, Montana, and Oregon.
Wisconsin
Employment snapshot
In March, Wisconsin added 1,200 net payroll jobs and the unemployment rate rose by 0.1 percentage point to 3.5 percent. In the prior month, Wisconsin lost 10,000 net payroll jobs.
Over the past 12 months, Wisconsin lost 17,200 net payroll jobs and the unemployment rate rose by 0.3 percentage points from 3.2 percent.
Nationally, nonfarm payrolls rose by 178,000 in March, or 0.1 percent. Wisconsin ranks 45th in the nation for percentage gain in nonfarm payroll employment over the past 12 months.
In March, Wisconsin’s private sector added 800 net private payroll jobs, and over the past 12 months it lost 9,500 private payroll jobs. In the prior month, Wisconsin lost 4,900 net private payroll jobs.
In March, employment in Wisconsin rose by 479, and over the past 12 months it fell by 7,223.
Wisconsin’s labor force participation rate remained steady at 64.4 percent in March and is tied for 13th in the nation. In the past 12 months, the labor force participation rate has fallen by 0.3 percentage points.
Wisconsin
Payroll employment
Wisconsin added 1,200 net payroll jobs, or 0 percent, on a seasonally adjusted basis during March. In the prior month, Wisconsin lost 10,000 jobs. Wisconsin nonfarm payroll employment has increased in 6 of the past 12 months.
Nationally, nonfarm payrolls rose by 178,000 in March, or 0.1 percent. Wisconsin ranks 45th in the nation for percentage gain in nonfarm payroll employment over the past 12 months.
Wisconsin added 800 private sector jobs, or 0 percent, on a seasonally adjusted basis during March. In the prior month, Wisconsin lost 4,900 jobs. Wisconsin private sector payroll employment has increased in 6 of the past 12 months.
Nationally, private sector payroll jobs rose by 186,000 jobs in March, or 0.1 percent. Wisconsin ranks 44th in the nation for percentage gain in private sector payroll employment over the past 12 months.
From February 2026 to March 2026:
- The best performing sectors were Manufacturing (+1,800) and Financial Activities (+800).
- The worst performing sectors were Trade, Transportation, and Utilities (-2,000) and Construction (-1,800).
From March 2025 to March 2026:
- The best performing sectors were Private Education and Health Services (+6,900) and Construction (+6,600).
- The worst performing sectors were Trade, Transportation, and Utilities (-12,900) and State and Local Government (-5,600).
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.
The labor force participation rate in Wisconsin remained unchanged at 64.4 percent in March.
Wisconsin is tied for 13th in the nation.
The 10-year high for the labor force participation rate in Wisconsin was 68.2 percent occurring in March 2016, and the 10-year low was 64.1 percent occurring in July 2025.
The national labor force participation rate fell by 0.1 percentage points to 61.9 percent in March.