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September 3, 2024
High Road Strategy Center Releases State of Working Wisconsin 2024
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For Labor Day, the High Road Strategy Center has released the State of Working Wisconsin 2024, offering the latest data on jobs, wages, and unions, with a special focus on women workers. This year, there’s much to celebrate: Wisconsin jobs are at historic highs, unemployment is steady at near record lows, and lower-wage workers are seeing faster wage growth compared to higher-wage workers, contributing to increased equality. However, the overall picture is complex. Significant disparities by gender, race, education, and geography still define opportunities in the state, and while some gaps are narrowing, the disparities remain pronounced.
Key findings:
Wisconsin Job Market Hits Record High Adding 25,700 New Jobs
In June 2024, Wisconsin had a record high of 3,048,000 jobs. Job growth has been steady across the year, with 25,700 jobs added from July 2023 to July 2024.
Historic Rise in Median Wages for Wisconsin
From 2022-23, the inflation-adjusted median hourly wage increased by 97 cents. Since 1979, wage growth has only been this strong in two years: 2019 and 2023.
Lower-Wage Workers See Stronger Wage Growth
As has been true across the recovery from the pandemic shutdowns, wages of lower-wage workers are increasing more rapidly than wages for higher-wage workers, shrinking wage inequality in the state.
Wisconsin’s Union Decline Outpaces Neighbors Despite Increased Popularity
In contrast to rising public support for unions, unionization in the state continues to fall. From 2011-23, Wisconsin’s unionization rate fell from 14.0% to 8.4%, a decline larger than that of neighboring states.
Gender Pay Gap Persists for Wisconsin Women
In 2023, women in Wisconsin earned a median wage of $22.03, compared to $25.09 for men. Women earned 88 cents for every dollar earned by men, a notable gap that persists. Gaps are especially pronounced for Black and Hispanic women.
“Lower-wage workers and people of color are securing higher wages in recent years, and it is great to see this long overdue trend raising the floor for the workers who need it most.” stated High Road Strategy Center Associate Director Laura Dresser. “To help ensure that these gains are durable in the coming years, Wisconsin could look to states on our borders. Raising the state’s minimum wage, restoring union rights, and investing in quality early care and education can help address these ongoing challenges, which are covered throughout this report.”
VIEW STATE OF WORKING WISCONSIN 2024 <[link removed]>
Webinar TOMORROW - Workers Speak: The State of Working Wisconsin & Policy Priorities
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Want to learn more about the evolving landscape of work in Wisconsin? Join us for an online discussion TOMORROW Wednesday, September 4, 2024, from 12:00 pm to 1:30 pm CT via Zoom.
This virtual panel, Workers Speak: The State of Working Wisconsin & Policy Priorities is presented in collaboration with The Havens Wright Center for Social Justice <[link removed]>, Kids Forward <[link removed]>, the Milwaukee Area Service & Hospitality Workers Union <[link removed]> (MASH), and Worker Justice Wisconsin <[link removed]>. The event will dive into how recent changes in policies around the right to organize, the minimum wage, and wage theft are impacting workers across the state.
Hear directly from workers in the construction and service industries as they share their personal experiences and insights on how these new policies could reshape their work lives in Wisconsin!
WHEN: September 4, 2024, from 12:00 pm - 1:30 pm CT
WHERE: Zoom (link will be provided upon registration)
REGISTER TODAY <[link removed]>
In The News
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This Labor Day, Wisconsin wages are up, unemployment is down
Lake Geneva News <[link removed]>
Report shows improvements for Wisconsin workers while shortcomings persist
Wisconsin Examiner <[link removed]>
Wisconsin sees record pay growth, especially for Black, Hispanic women
The Cap Times <[link removed]>
About High Road Strategy Center
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Based at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, the High Road Strategy Center <[link removed]> is a national think-and-do tank that promotes “high road” solutions to social problems. Learn more here, or click below to learn about our projects housed at the High Road Strategy Center:
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High Road Strategy Center
UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN–MADISON
7122 Social Science Building, 1180 Observatory Drive | Madison, WI 53706
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