Wisconsin’s Economic Recovery and Job Growth: 82,867 New Jobs Expected in the Next Two Years

In the next few years, Wisconsin’s economy and workforce are expected to experience significant growth. Despite the challenges posed by COVID-19, the state has made a remarkable recovery, with employment fully restored as of the second quarter of 2023. According to projections by the Department of Workforce Development’s state labor economists, Wisconsin is projected to create 82,867 new jobs and grow by 2.47% across all industries between 2023 and 2025.

Computer and mathematical occupations are expected to grow fastest during this time, with a projection of growth at a rate of 4.71%. However, employment is also anticipated to grow across industry sectors. The leisure and hospitality industry, which experienced a sharp decline in employment during COVID-19, is expected to lead employment growth in the 2023-25 projections, growing by 5.25% or adding 15,342 jobs.

Health employment also played a critical role in Wisconsin’s economic recovery, and projections suggest that the education and health services sector will soon surpass pre-pandemic employment levels. The Healthcare Support occupational group is among the top three groups to exceed pre-pandemic levels in 2023. DWD economists collaborate with state and local partners to analyze and understand workforce development trends and challenges, developing long-term (10-year) and short-term (2-year) employment projections across Wisconsin’s industries and occupations.

DWD Secretary Amy Pechacek highlighted that Wisconsin’s economic projections show broad growth and low unemployment. She mentioned that employment in the state is now higher than it was before COVID-19, indicating that this growth will continue across all industries as workforce programs and initiatives are being advanced to connect job seekers and employers to maximize the benefits of this growth. For more information on Wisconsin’s industry employment projections, visit the WisConomy projections page.