{"schema_version": 1, "id": "anderson-in-msa/metro-job-market/2026-09", "product": "Metro Job Market Pulse", "metro": {"geography_id": 80, "label": "Anderson, IN MSA", "slug": "anderson-in-msa"}, "focus_area": {"key": "general_conditions", "slug": "metro-job-market", "label": "General Market Conditions"}, "period": "2026-09", "public_after": "2026-09-01", "frozen_at": "2026-10-09T13:38:01.854157+00:00", "headline": "Anderson's labor market cools as Indiana's holds firm.", "headline_summary": "Madison County unemployment climbed to 3.6% in July even as Indiana held at a three-year-low 3.3%, while the county's $993 average weekly wage continues to trail the $1,654 national figure by nearly 40%.", "key_indicators": [{"label": "Madison County unemployment", "value": "3.6%", "context": "vs Indiana's 3.3% statewide, July 2026"}, {"label": "Indianapolis-Carmel-Anderson MSA rate", "value": "3.4%", "context": "up from 3.0% in May 2026"}, {"label": "Madison County avg weekly wage", "value": "$993", "context": "vs $1,654 U.S. average"}, {"label": "Indiana labor force participation", "value": "63%", "context": "down from 63.1%, still above 61.8% national"}], "takeaways": [{"headline": "County unemployment diverges from state's historic low.", "body": "Madison County's 3.6% July rate sits three-tenths above Indiana's 3.3% statewide figure, itself the lowest since May 2023. Gap is consistent with the county's manufacturing exposure amid a MSA-wide unemployment rise from 3.0% to 3.4% between May and June."}, {"headline": "Wage floor remains well below national average.", "body": "Madison County's $993 average weekly wage trails the $1,654 U.S. average by roughly 40%, even as several advertised local roles \u2014 manufacturing assembler, electrician, registered nurse \u2014 post significant year-over-year gains. Divergence suggests wage growth is concentrated in specific occupations rather than lifting the broader local pay floor."}, {"headline": "Manufacturing momentum statewide has not yet steadied the county.", "body": "Indiana added 3,500 manufacturing jobs statewide in the July-August period and the governor's office announced 570 new high-wage positions in advanced manufacturing and defense, yet Madison County manufacturing employment has declined to roughly 5,313 jobs. Local economic development leaders may want to assess whether the county is positioned to compete for these state-level investment announcements."}, {"headline": "National wage-inflation squeeze adds context to local pay gains.", "body": "National real wages are no longer outpacing inflation, with wage growth at 3.0% against 3.4% inflation, even as several Anderson-area roles show significant advertised pay increases. Local gains in electrician ($79,040, up significantly) and nursing ($106,701, up significantly) pay may reflect sector-specific demand rather than broad local purchasing-power improvement."}], "local_conditions": "Madison County unemployment ticked up to 3.6% in July against Indiana's statewide hold at 3.3%, a gap consistent with the county's heavier reliance on manufacturing employment that has declined to roughly 5,313 jobs as the broader Indianapolis-Carmel-Anderson MSA rate rose from 3.0% in May to 3.4% in June. Advertised pay in manufacturing production and warehouse roles moved up moderately to significantly even as Madison County's average weekly wage of $993 trails the national average of $1,654 by nearly 40%, suggesting local wage gains are concentrated rather than broad-based.", "implications": "Softening county-level unemployment alongside rising advertised pay in manufacturing, electrician, and nursing roles points to a labor market that is tightening selectively rather than cooling uniformly, a pattern commerce leaders should weigh before reading headline unemployment figures as a single verdict on local business conditions. Public-sector and healthcare wage stability, paired with the state's $215 million Givaudan investment in nearby Dearborn County and statewide advanced-manufacturing commitments, signals continued regional capital inflow that Anderson-area officials may want to track for spillover effects. Consider evaluating which sectors are absorbing the county's wage gap against the state average \u2014 targeted investment attraction in higher-wage manufacturing and healthcare segments may do more to close that gap than broad-based economic development messaging.", "looking_ahead": [{"category": "Expected", "body": "BLS releases official September Indianapolis-Carmel-Anderson MSA and Madison County unemployment data in early October. Watch whether the county rate narrows toward or further diverges from the state's 3.3% figure, a signal of whether local conditions are tracking or lagging Indiana's broader tightness."}, {"category": "Emerging pressure point", "body": "Indiana's 24 WARN notices in 2026 affected 3,646 workers statewide, concentrated in manufacturing and transportation/logistics \u2014 sectors well represented in Madison County's employer base. Local commerce leaders should monitor whether any new filings touch Anderson-area manufacturing or logistics operations in coming weeks."}, {"category": "Potential inflection point", "body": "Statewide advanced-manufacturing and agbioscience investment announcements, including the $215 million Givaudan project in Dearborn County, suggest the state is actively courting capacity expansion. Whether Madison County positions itself to capture a share of this investment pipeline over the next quarter will shape its medium-term employment trajectory."}, {"category": "Worth watching", "body": "Indiana's labor force participation rate has slipped from 63.1% to 63% over the past month and 0.8 points over the past year, even while remaining above the 61.8% national rate. A continued county-level decline would warrant attention from workforce development planners assessing the local labor supply pipeline."}], "roles": [{"role": "Retail Sales Associate", "data_scope": "metro", "metro_p25": 20703.0, "metro_p50": 25885.4, "metro_p75": 30170.0, "metro_trend_direction": "stable", "metro_trend_magnitude": "stable", "national_p50": 33325.0, "national_trend_direction": "stable", "national_trend_magnitude": "stable"}, {"role": "Retail Cashier", "data_scope": "metro", "metro_p25": 24534.0, "metro_p50": 26692.0, "metro_p75": 30007.0, "metro_trend_direction": "down", "metro_trend_magnitude": "moderate", "national_p50": 31200.0, "national_trend_direction": "stable", "national_trend_magnitude": "stable"}, {"role": "Warehouse/Fulfillment Associate", "data_scope": "metro", "metro_p25": 35360.0, "metro_p50": 38545.0, "metro_p75": 41600.0, "metro_trend_direction": "up", "metro_trend_magnitude": "moderate", "national_p50": 38000.0, "national_trend_direction": "stable", "national_trend_magnitude": "stable"}, {"role": "CDL Truck Driver", "data_scope": "metro", "metro_p25": 58480.0, "metro_p50": 81042.0, "metro_p75": 93600.0, "metro_trend_direction": "stable", "metro_trend_magnitude": "stable", "national_p50": 78000.0, "national_trend_direction": "stable", "national_trend_magnitude": "stable"}, {"role": "Delivery Driver", "data_scope": "metro", "metro_p25": 27646.0, "metro_p50": 31914.0, "metro_p75": 37225.75, "metro_trend_direction": "down", "metro_trend_magnitude": "significant", "national_p50": 34344.0, "national_trend_direction": "stable", "national_trend_magnitude": "stable"}, {"role": "Construction Laborer", "data_scope": "metro", "metro_p25": 37384.0, "metro_p50": 40352.0, "metro_p75": 43680.0, "metro_trend_direction": "up", "metro_trend_magnitude": "moderate", "national_p50": 40560.0, "national_trend_direction": "stable", "national_trend_magnitude": "stable"}, {"role": "Electrician", "data_scope": "metro", "metro_p25": 64416.0, "metro_p50": 79040.0, "metro_p75": 83000.0, "metro_trend_direction": "up", "metro_trend_magnitude": "significant", "national_p50": 71404.0, "national_trend_direction": "up", "national_trend_magnitude": "significant"}, {"role": "Manufacturing Production Worker/Assembler", "data_scope": "metro", "metro_p25": 34979.5, "metro_p50": 40421.4, "metro_p75": 41600.0, "metro_trend_direction": "up", "metro_trend_magnitude": "significant", "national_p50": 39520.0, "national_trend_direction": "stable", "national_trend_magnitude": "stable"}, {"role": "Customer Service Representative", "data_scope": "metro", "metro_p25": 30277.0, "metro_p50": 41600.0, "metro_p75": 42000.0, "metro_trend_direction": "up", "metro_trend_magnitude": "significant", "national_p50": 39520.0, "national_trend_direction": "stable", "national_trend_magnitude": "stable"}, {"role": "Food Service Worker", "data_scope": "metro", "metro_p25": 29557.0, "metro_p50": 30328.4, "metro_p75": 31200.0, "metro_trend_direction": "stable", "metro_trend_magnitude": "stable", "national_p50": 33756.2, "national_trend_direction": "stable", "national_trend_magnitude": "stable"}, {"role": "Certified Nursing Assistant / Home Health Aide", "data_scope": "metro", "metro_p25": 34096.0, "metro_p50": 41080.0, "metro_p75": 41860.0, "metro_trend_direction": "up", "metro_trend_magnitude": "moderate", "national_p50": 41106.0, "national_trend_direction": "stable", "national_trend_magnitude": "stable"}, {"role": "Administrative Assistant/Office Clerk", "data_scope": "metro", "metro_p25": 38262.0, "metro_p50": 41135.0, "metro_p75": 43032.0, "metro_trend_direction": "up", "metro_trend_magnitude": "moderate", "national_p50": 43680.0, "national_trend_direction": "up", "national_trend_magnitude": "moderate"}, {"role": "HVAC Technician", "data_scope": "metro", "metro_p25": 72500.0, "metro_p50": 87500.0, "metro_p75": 87500.0, "metro_trend_direction": "stable", "metro_trend_magnitude": "stable", "national_p50": 70720.0, "national_trend_direction": "up", "national_trend_magnitude": "moderate"}, {"role": "Registered Nurse", "data_scope": "metro", "metro_p25": 85800.0, "metro_p50": 106700.8, "metro_p75": 114936.0, "metro_trend_direction": "up", "metro_trend_magnitude": "significant", "national_p50": 102581.0, "national_trend_direction": "up", "national_trend_magnitude": "significant"}, {"role": "Software Engineer", "data_scope": "metro", "metro_p25": 74021.5, "metro_p50": 86784.0, "metro_p75": 86812.0, "metro_trend_direction": "up", "metro_trend_magnitude": "significant", "national_p50": 153652.0, "national_trend_direction": "stable", "national_trend_magnitude": "stable"}, {"role": "Data Engineer", "data_scope": "state_rollup", "metro_p25": 92885.0, "metro_p50": 123169.2, "metro_p75": 140680.0, "metro_trend_direction": "stable", "metro_trend_magnitude": "stable", "national_p50": 139500.0, "national_trend_direction": "up", "national_trend_magnitude": "moderate"}, {"role": "Accountant", "data_scope": "metro", "metro_p25": 39706.0, "metro_p50": 63061.0, "metro_p75": 72004.0, "metro_trend_direction": "up", "metro_trend_magnitude": "moderate", "national_p50": 72182.0, "national_trend_direction": "up", "national_trend_magnitude": "moderate"}, {"role": "Financial Analyst", "data_scope": "metro", "metro_p25": 85133.5, "metro_p50": 85465.0, "metro_p75": 85466.0, "metro_trend_direction": "up", "metro_trend_magnitude": "significant", "national_p50": 94782.0, "national_trend_direction": "stable", "national_trend_magnitude": "stable"}, {"role": "HR Generalist/Manager", "data_scope": "metro", "metro_p25": 59349.0, "metro_p50": 71896.0, "metro_p75": 71970.0, "metro_trend_direction": "stable", "metro_trend_magnitude": "stable", "national_p50": 75000.0, "national_trend_direction": "up", "national_trend_magnitude": "significant"}, {"role": "Marketing Specialist", "data_scope": "state_rollup", "metro_p25": 46264.75, "metro_p50": 57200.0, "metro_p75": 67007.0, "metro_trend_direction": "stable", "metro_trend_magnitude": "stable", "national_p50": 62354.4, "national_trend_direction": "up", "national_trend_magnitude": "moderate"}, {"role": "Operations Manager", "data_scope": "state_rollup", "metro_p25": 72499.25, "metro_p50": 81721.0, "metro_p75": 90187.0, "metro_trend_direction": "up", "metro_trend_magnitude": "moderate", "national_p50": 85216.0, "national_trend_direction": "stable", "national_trend_magnitude": "stable"}, {"role": "Elementary/Secondary School Teacher", "data_scope": "metro", "metro_p25": 40560.0, "metro_p50": 55091.0, "metro_p75": 61336.5, "metro_trend_direction": "up", "metro_trend_magnitude": "significant", "national_p50": 56731.0, "national_trend_direction": "up", "national_trend_magnitude": "significant"}, {"role": "Account Manager", "data_scope": "metro", "metro_p25": 60123.5, "metro_p50": 78250.8, "metro_p75": 120918.0, "metro_trend_direction": "up", "metro_trend_magnitude": "significant", "national_p50": 92749.0, "national_trend_direction": "up", "national_trend_magnitude": "significant"}, {"role": "Warehouse Manager", "data_scope": "state_rollup", "metro_p25": 63750.0, "metro_p50": 65401.0, "metro_p75": 67500.0, "metro_trend_direction": "down", "metro_trend_magnitude": "significant", "national_p50": 75000.0, "national_trend_direction": "stable", "national_trend_magnitude": "stable"}, {"role": "Business Analyst", "data_scope": "metro", "metro_p25": 90384.0, "metro_p50": 113970.0, "metro_p75": 113970.0, "metro_trend_direction": "up", "metro_trend_magnitude": "moderate", "national_p50": 98279.0, "national_trend_direction": "up", "national_trend_magnitude": "moderate"}], "industry_snapshot": [{"sector": "Construction", "median_pay": 78419.5, "pay_trend_direction": "down", "pay_trend_magnitude": "moderate", "postings_trend_direction": "up", "postings_trend_magnitude": "significant"}, {"sector": "Manufacturing", "median_pay": 44460.0, "pay_trend_direction": "up", "pay_trend_magnitude": "significant", "postings_trend_direction": "up", "postings_trend_magnitude": "significant"}, {"sector": "Retail Trade", "median_pay": 36400.0, "pay_trend_direction": "up", "pay_trend_magnitude": "significant", "postings_trend_direction": "up", "postings_trend_magnitude": "significant"}, {"sector": "Transportation, Warehousing & Utilities", "median_pay": 76250.0, "pay_trend_direction": "up", "pay_trend_magnitude": "significant", "postings_trend_direction": "up", "postings_trend_magnitude": "significant"}, {"sector": "Information", "median_pay": 83915.0, "pay_trend_direction": "up", "pay_trend_magnitude": "significant", "postings_trend_direction": "up", "postings_trend_magnitude": "significant"}, {"sector": "Financial Activities", "median_pay": 43817.0, "pay_trend_direction": "up", "pay_trend_magnitude": "moderate", "postings_trend_direction": "up", "postings_trend_magnitude": "significant"}, {"sector": "Professional & Business Services", "median_pay": 57591.5, "pay_trend_direction": "up", "pay_trend_magnitude": "significant", "postings_trend_direction": "up", "postings_trend_magnitude": "significant"}, {"sector": "Education & Health Services", "median_pay": 65041.0, "pay_trend_direction": "up", "pay_trend_magnitude": "significant", "postings_trend_direction": "up", "postings_trend_magnitude": "significant"}, {"sector": "Leisure & Hospitality", "median_pay": 32151.0, "pay_trend_direction": "stable", "pay_trend_magnitude": "stable", "postings_trend_direction": "up", "postings_trend_magnitude": "significant"}, {"sector": "Government", "median_pay": 68150.0, "pay_trend_direction": "up", "pay_trend_magnitude": "significant", "postings_trend_direction": "up", "postings_trend_magnitude": "significant"}], "citations": [], "methodology": "Advertised pay from active employer job postings, not survey data. WageScape's median is calibrated to correct for spurious low-value postings: distribution analysis shows roughly the lowest 10% of raw values are erroneous entries, so the reported median is the 60th percentile of raw advertised pay.", "edition_label": "October 2026", "files": {"html": "anderson-in-msa/metro-job-market/2026-09.html", "pdf": "anderson-in-msa/metro-job-market/2026-09.pdf", "sources_html": "anderson-in-msa/metro-job-market/2026-09.sources.html"}, "published_at": "2026-10-09T13:48:00.905219+00:00", "report_html_url": "https://reports.wagescape.com/archive/v1/editions/anderson-in-msa/metro-job-market/2026-09.html", "report_pdf_url": "https://reports.wagescape.com/archive/v1/editions/anderson-in-msa/metro-job-market/2026-09.pdf"}