September 2026 | Released October 20, 2026
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United States
Employment snapshot
In September, among the 50 states and the District of Columbia unemployment fell in 18, rose in 9, and remained unchanged in 24.
The highest unemployment rate was 5.6 percent in District of Columbia, and the lowest was 2 percent in South Dakota. Nationally, the unemployment rate rose by 0.1 percentage point to 4.2 percent.
In September, payroll jobs rose in 24 states and fell in 25. The largest payroll job percent increase was 0.5 percent in South Carolina. The largest payroll job percent decline was 0.4 percent in Missouri and Wisconsin.
Wisconsin
Employment snapshot
In September, Wisconsin lost 13,700 net payroll jobs and the unemployment rate remained unchanged at 3.2 percent. In the prior month, Wisconsin added 11,500 net payroll jobs.
Over the past 12 months, Wisconsin added 13,000 net payroll jobs and the unemployment rate rose by 0.1 percentage point from 3.1 percent.
Nationally, nonfarm payrolls rose by 29,000 in September, or 0 percent. Wisconsin is tied for 24th in the nation for percentage gain in nonfarm payroll employment over the past 12 months.
In September, Wisconsin’s private sector lost 4,600 net private payroll jobs, and over the past 12 months it added 18,500 private payroll jobs. In the prior month, Wisconsin added 6,000 net private payroll jobs.
In September, employment in Wisconsin rose by 10,067, and over the past 12 months it rose by 45,527.
Wisconsin’s labor force participation rate rose to 64.9 percent in September from 64.7 percent and ranks 12th in the nation. In the past 12 months, the labor force participation rate has risen by 0.8 percentage points.
Wisconsin
Payroll employment
Wisconsin lost 13,700 net payroll jobs, or -0.4 percent, on a seasonally adjusted basis during September. In the prior month, Wisconsin added 11,500 jobs. Wisconsin nonfarm payroll employment has increased in 8 of the past 12 months.
Nationally, nonfarm payrolls rose by 29,000 in September, or 0 percent. Wisconsin is tied for 24th in the nation for percentage gain in nonfarm payroll employment over the past 12 months.
Wisconsin lost 4,600 private sector jobs, or -0.2 percent, on a seasonally adjusted basis during September. In the prior month, Wisconsin added 6,000 jobs. Wisconsin private sector payroll employment has increased in 7 of the past 12 months.
Nationally, private sector payroll jobs rose by 46,000 jobs in September, or 0 percent. Wisconsin is tied for 25th in the nation for percentage gain in private sector payroll employment over the past 12 months.
From August 2026 to September 2026:
- The best performing sectors were Financial Activities (+1,000) and Private Education and Health Services (+400).
- The worst performing sectors were State and Local Government (-9,000) and Construction (-3,300).
From September 2025 to September 2026:
- The best performing sectors were Private Education and Health Services (+9,500) and Construction (+7,800).
- The worst performing sectors were Trade, Transportation, and Utilities (-12,200) and State and Local Government (-4,000).
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 rose to 64.9 percent in September from 64.7 percent in the prior month.
Wisconsin ranks 12th in the nation.
The 10-year high for the labor force participation rate in Wisconsin was 68.2 percent occurring in May 2017, and the 10-year low was 64.1 percent occurring in July 2025.
The national labor force participation rate rose by 0.2 percentage points to 61.8 percent in September.