Employment Market Snapshot: Light Industrial Positions

Wisconsin Market

Wisconsin's unemployment saw a slight uptick from July 2022, which was 2.8%.  Locally, unemployment rates experienced minimal change.

3.3% Wisconsin Unemployment Rate October 2022; not seasonally adjusted

Wisconsin Market Pay Rates by Position*

*Positions are at an intermediate level

Dane County Market Snapshot

QTI average hourly pay rates for light industrial positions in the Dane County market were up $1.80/hour over November 2021.  If the job is not on the bus line, the average hourly pay rate increase was $1.49/hour.

Not on the bus line? +$1.94/hour Average increase in hourly pay rates for jobs NOT ON THE BUS LINE. (Nov. 2022)

Milwaukee, WI Market

Like Dane County, pay rates in the Milwaukee and surrounding communities have also increased.  In just two years, pay rates have increased by more than $4.00/hour.

Transportation Matters

If the job is not located on the bus line, plan to increase your hourly pay rate to remain competitive.  The average hourly pay rate for light industrial positions not on a bus line is $18.01.

$18.01/hour Average pay rate for jobs NOT ON THE BUS LINE. (Nov. 2022)

$16.20/hour Average pay rates for jobs ON THE BUS LINE. (Nov. 2022)

Job Seekers Have Options

According to Indeed and CareerBuilder data, talent competition is high for light industrial positions. Using advertiser data, Indeed ranks the competitiveness of recruiting for specific jobs based on a score of 100. When compared to other markets, the below listed light industrial positions in the Milwaukee, WI area received a competition score of 80+ (October 2022)

• 87/100 Machine Operator Competition Score
• 80/100 Production and Manufacturing Competition Score

In addition, in the Milwaukee, WI market, 3,681 production related jobs have been posted online in the last three months (CareerBuilder Supply & Demand).

Beaver Dam, WI Area Market

Similar to other Wisconsin markets, pay rates for jobs in the Beaver Dam, WI area has also increased.  In six months, hourly pay rates have increased by $0.75. If the position is located outside of the city of Beaver Dam, the average pay rate increase is $1.26.

Locations Matters

$17.42/hour Average pay rate for jobs in Beaver Dam, WI (Nov. 2022)

$18.68/hour Average pay rates for jobs located outside of Beaver Dam, WI. (Nov. 2022)

Competition is High

Job openings in the Beaver Dam, WI, area are plentiful. Looking specifically at production and warehouse openings, 1249 jobs were posted in the last three months (CareerBuilder Supply and Demand). According to the October Indeed Hiring Insights report, competition is high for the following light industrial role:

• 90/100 Production and Manufacturing Competition Score
• 95/100 Packager Competition Score

Need recruiting assistance or want to discuss the competitiveness of your organization's compensation plan?  Contact us.

Sources: Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development; FRED Economic Data; Indeed Hiring Data; QTI pay rates based on placed candidates in the Beaver Dam, Madison, and Milwaukee, WI markets. CareerBuilder Supply & Demand - 3rd party job posting aggregator. Job Postings deduplicated. WI Market Data - QTI Consulting, Inc.