Overall unemployment rate stayed flat at 2.2% with the biggest shift in Construction, Mining, which lost 2,300 roles, based on the most recently available information published in February 2022.

Total employment in the Milwaukee-Waukesha-West Allis, WI market declined by 3,468 jobs in December and the unemployment rate stayed flat. The national unemployment rate decreased by 20 bps over the same time to 3.7%.

  • Milwaukee-Waukesha-West Allis, WI unemployment rate is 149 bps below the national rate which is a positive sign.
  • Unemployment in the market is 240 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 6.7% and are up compared to last year at this time in the market.
Month over Month Unemployment Change
Year over Year Unemployment Change
Milwaukee-Waukesha-West Allis, WI Unemployment December 2021

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

  • Education & Healthcare: 161,600; no change
  • Transportation & Utilities: 145,100; +2,000
  • Business Services: 122,800; -1,000
  • Manufacturing: 120,200; +1,200
  • Government: 79,500; -500
  • Restaurants & Hotels: 72,500; +800
  • Financial Services: 46,500; -600
  • Other Jobs: 44,800; +100
  • Construction, Mining: 32,200; -2,300
  • IT & Development: 12,100; no change
Milwaukee-Waukesha-West Allis, WI 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.