Overall unemployment rate moved up to 1.6% with the biggest shift in Government, which lost 200 roles, based on the most recently available information published in February 2022.

Total employment in the La Crosse-Onalaska, WI-MN market declined by 212 jobs in December and the unemployment rate increased compared to the prior month by 10 bps to 1.6%. The national unemployment rate decreased by 20 bps over the same time to 3.7%.

  • La Crosse-Onalaska, WI-MN unemployment rate is 209 bps below the national rate which is a positive sign.
  • Unemployment in the market is 170 bps below the unemployment rate in the market last year at this time, which is a positive.
  • Average wages (per hour) grew in December versus prior month by 11% and are up compared to last year at this time in the market.
Month over Month Unemployment Change
Year over Year Unemployment Change
La Crosse-Onalaska, WI-MN Unemployment December 2021

For key employment segments of the market, total jobs stayed flat. Key sectors include:

  • Education & Healthcare: 17,500; no change
  • Transportation & Utilities: 16,200; +200
  • Government: 9,600; -200
  • Manufacturing: 8,600; +100
  • Restaurants & Hotels: 7,100; no change
  • Business Services: 5,900; no change
  • Other Jobs: 4,500; no change
  • Financial Services: 4,000; no change
  • Construction, Mining: 3,000; -100
  • IT & Development: 800; no change
La Crosse-Onalaska, WI-MN Unemployment by Industry December 2021

Data is based on the most recent 12 months available, through December 2021 (Data published February 2022 and reports created on February 4, 2022).  Source: Government data agency and locally acquired statistics.

Note: All reported data is not seasonally adjusted.