From the Center for High Street Strategy, the annual report:
- Wisconsin job growth grinds to a halt Wisconsin has 3,042,900 jobs in July 2026, down from the record 3,051,000 jobs reached in November 2024. Since January 2025, the state has actually lost jobs while national job growth continues, albeit slowly.
- Wisconsin unemployment rises slowly, while Black unemployment rises In the first quarter of 2026, Wisconsin’s Black unemployment rate was 7.2%, nearly three times the white rate of 2.3%. The black-white unemployment disparity has risen sharply over the past year, and Wisconsin ranks among the worst in the nation.
- Wisconsin median wage hits record high: $26.17 Over the past decade, accounting for inflation, Wisconsin’s average hourly wage has risen from $22.10 to $26.17.
- Strong wage growth for low-wage workers in Wisconsin reduces wage inequality From 2019 to 2025, wages for workers in the 20th percentile will increase by 16%, compared to 8% for workers in the 80th percentile.
- Wisconsin’s unions are collapsing three times faster than nationally From 2011 to 2025, Wisconsin’s unionization rate will drop from 14% to 7.5%, while the national rate will drop from 13% to 11%. Wisconsin’s rate has fallen faster than every neighboring state.
- Surging prices leave more and more working Wisconsinites unable to cover the basics of one in three working Wisconsin families facing substantial financial difficulties. Federal policies exacerbate the affordability crisis.
- Massive deportation campaigns are costly and reduce employment.
The whole report, with lots of documentation, is here.