Overall unemployment rate moved up to 2.4% with the biggest shift in Government, which lost 1,100 roles, based on the most recently available information published in March 2023.

Total employment in the La Crosse-Onalaska, WI-MN market declined by 192 jobs in January and the unemployment rate increased compared to the prior month by 40 bps to 2.4%. The national unemployment rate increased by 60 bps over the same time to 3.9%.

  • La Crosse-Onalaska, WI-MN unemployment rate is 146 bps below the national rate which is a positive sign.
  • Unemployment in the market is 30 bps below the unemployment rate in the market last year at this time, which is a positive.
  • Average wages (per hour) grew in January versus prior month by 3.6% 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 January 2023

For key employment segments of the market, total jobs declined by -2.8%. Key sectors include:

  • Education & Healthcare: 17,100; -200
  • Transportation & Utilities: 15,900; -500
  • Government: 9,200; -1,100
  • Manufacturing: 9,100; no change
  • Restaurants & Hotels: 7,400; -100
  • Business Services: 6,000; -100
  • Other Jobs: 4,600; no change
  • Financial Services: 4,600; -100
  • Construction, Mining: 3,100; -100
  • IT & Development: 700; no change
La Crosse-Onalaska, WI-MN Unemployment by Industry January 2023

Data is based on the most recent 12 months available, through January 2023 (Data published March 2023 and reports created on March 17, 2023).  Source: Government data agency and locally acquired statistics.

Note: All reported data is not seasonally adjusted.