City Times Staff

EAU CLAIRE — A recent survey has revealed that job growth in Central Wisconsin has increased, while the rest of the state seemingly continues to fall behind.

According to the 2018 Western & Central Wisconsin Wage Survey, job growth in central Wisconsin has increased 3.70 percent in 2018 in its group of 35 benchmark jobs, compared to last year’s increase of 2.99 percent. However, in comparison, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, job growth in Wisconsin overall slowed in 2017, and still ranks 31st in the country for job growth.

As of 2015, Wisconsin ranks as one of nine states that hold a high percentage of residents that hold multiple jobs. (7.6 percent — the average 4.9 percent nationwide)

However, the increase in the area seems to be a positive for employees and employers in the Central Wisconsin area, making the region the place to be for business expansion and job creation.

“The increase is an indicator of positive wage growth and robust market conditions,” notes Deborah Marshall, Senior Manager, HR Consulting, at Wipfli in Eau Claire, who serves as the lead technical adviser for the survey. “Although there are always variations in numbers reported due to different employers participating (or not participating) and individual job fluctuations, the ‘overall’ number is still a fairly reliable statistic. Accordingly, actual average pay increase percentages awarded were up from last year as well.”

In its 19th year, the survey results were compiled from submissions by 151 companies in various industries, in an area encompassing the coverage area of the Chambers of Commerce in Chippewa Falls, Eau Claire, La Crosse, Marshfield, Menomonie, Portage County, Rice Lake, Wausau, and Wisconsin Rapids. Also involved were local chapters of the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) in the Chippewa Valley, La Crosse, Wausau and Winona, MN. The survey is administered by the Eau Claire Area Chamber of Commerce.

For the first time, employers from central Wisconsin were included in the survey, resulting in a 25 percent increase in the number of participating organizations, including the Portage County Business Council, locally. These statistics were concluded from base pay levels from over 18,000 employees that were included in the survey, on 150 different job titles.

Manufacturers represented 43 percent of the employers and 50 percent of the rates of pay in the survey, up significantly from last year. The survey also has industry breakouts for healthcare, financial institutions, non-profits, and a general category for all other types of organizations.

The order for the survey is available online at: http://www.eauclairechamber.org/western–central-wisconsin-wage-survey.html or contact Casey Schumacher at [email protected] or 715-834-0614.