{"schema_version": 1, "id": "appleton-wi-msa/metro-job-market/2026-09", "product": "Metro Job Market Pulse", "metro": {"geography_id": 73, "label": "Appleton, WI MSA", "slug": "appleton-wi-msa"}, "focus_area": {"key": "general_conditions", "slug": "metro-job-market", "label": "General Market Conditions"}, "period": "2026-09", "public_after": "2026-09-01", "frozen_at": "2026-10-09T13:37:25.954569+00:00", "headline": "Appleton's low unemployment hides a flat, wage-stagnant economy.", "headline_summary": "Appleton MSA unemployment sits at 2.8%, but Outagamie County employment grew just 0.1% year-over-year and wages rose only 1.4% \u2014 trailing Wisconsin's 3.7% statewide pace and near-4% inflation.", "key_indicators": [{"label": "Appleton MSA unemployment rate", "value": "2.8%", "context": "July 2026, vs 3.2% statewide Aug and 4.1% national"}, {"label": "Outagamie County employment growth", "value": "0.1%", "context": "Year-over-year, Q1 2026 \u2014 near-flat"}, {"label": "Metro average weekly wage growth", "value": "1.4%", "context": "vs 3.7% Wisconsin statewide, Q1 2026"}, {"label": "Wisconsin core inflation", "value": "3.9%", "context": "Outpacing both state and metro wage growth"}], "takeaways": [{"headline": "Low unemployment is masking a stalled expansion.", "body": "Outagamie County employment grew only 0.1% year-over-year even as the unemployment rate sits near historic lows, consistent with a labor market that has stopped adding jobs rather than one still tightening through growth. That distinction matters for how local officials and chambers characterize economic momentum to outside investors."}, {"headline": "Wage growth is falling behind both state and inflation benchmarks.", "body": "Metro average weekly wages rose just 1.4% in Q1 2026, far below Wisconsin's statewide 3.7% pace and short of core inflation running near 3.9%. Purchasing power erosion at this scale has direct implications for consumer spending forecasts local commerce leaders rely on."}, {"headline": "Sector divergence is widening beneath a calm headline number.", "body": "Advertised pay softened for retail, food service, electricians, and administrative roles while healthcare, software, and data roles posted moderate-to-significant gains. This split is consistent with national and state patterns separating white-collar/skilled-service demand from blue-collar and transactional retail softness \u2014 a pattern economic development planners should track by sector, not by metro average."}, {"headline": "Public-sector stability remains a relative anchor amid private softening.", "body": "National data shows government payrolls still contracting overall, yet Wisconsin's Education & Health Services sector grew 1.9% over the past year and continues concentrating job growth locally. Appleton's public and quasi-public institutions may be providing a stabilizing counterweight to softer trade, transportation, and manufacturing activity."}], "local_conditions": "Appleton MSA unemployment held at 2.8% in July 2026, among the tightest readings in the state, even as Outagamie County employment grew just 0.1% year-over-year and average weekly wages rose only 1.4% \u2014 a pace well below statewide wage growth and barely ahead of core inflation. Tight headline unemployment is coexisting with near-zero job growth and softening advertised pay across several of the metro's largest employment categories, suggesting a labor market defined more by low churn than by expansion.", "implications": "Flat employment growth paired with a sub-3% unemployment rate points to a metro economy operating near capacity rather than one accelerating \u2014 a signal relevant to expansion timing, site-selection pitches, and public investment planning rather than any hiring calculus. Commerce leaders weighing whether conditions favor new facility announcements or retail expansion should note that wage softness in several advertised-pay categories (retail, food service, electricians) sits alongside strength in healthcare and tech-adjacent roles, implying uneven capacity across sectors rather than broad-based slack. Consider reviewing sector-specific momentum before framing the metro's low unemployment rate as uniformly favorable for business investment.", "looking_ahead": [{"category": "Expected", "body": "BLS metro-level unemployment and payroll data for August and September will not post until mid-to-late October. Treat current 2.8% readings as directional until confirmed."}, {"category": "Emerging pressure point", "body": "Wisconsin's core CPI running near 3.9% against metro wage growth of 1.4% implies a widening real-income gap. Watch whether local consumer-facing sectors (retail, hospitality) report softer sales as a downstream effect."}, {"category": "Worth watching", "body": "Statewide manufacturing and trade/transportation sectors are contracting; Outagamie County's exposure to both makes it a useful bellwether. A rise in WARN filings or notable plant-level news locally would mark a shift from stagnation to contraction."}, {"category": "Early indicator", "body": "Wisconsin's labor force participation rate has slipped a full point year-over-year to 64.5%. A parallel decline locally would suggest workforce exit rather than simple job-market softness, a distinction that matters for long-term regional labor supply planning."}], "roles": [{"role": "Retail Sales Associate", "data_scope": "metro", "metro_p25": 23920.0, "metro_p50": 30123.0, "metro_p75": 34528.0, "metro_trend_direction": "down", "metro_trend_magnitude": "moderate", "national_p50": 33325.0, "national_trend_direction": "stable", "national_trend_magnitude": "stable"}, {"role": "Retail Cashier", "data_scope": "metro", "metro_p25": 25147.0, "metro_p50": 29754.0, "metro_p75": 31733.0, "metro_trend_direction": "stable", "metro_trend_magnitude": "stable", "national_p50": 31200.0, "national_trend_direction": "stable", "national_trend_magnitude": "stable"}, {"role": "Warehouse/Fulfillment Associate", "data_scope": "metro", "metro_p25": 33060.0, "metro_p50": 39177.0, "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": 56386.0, "metro_p50": 75820.0, "metro_p75": 88000.0, "metro_trend_direction": "up", "metro_trend_magnitude": "moderate", "national_p50": 78000.0, "national_trend_direction": "stable", "national_trend_magnitude": "stable"}, {"role": "Delivery Driver", "data_scope": "metro", "metro_p25": 27019.0, "metro_p50": 35360.0, "metro_p75": 41600.0, "metro_trend_direction": "down", "metro_trend_magnitude": "moderate", "national_p50": 34344.0, "national_trend_direction": "stable", "national_trend_magnitude": "stable"}, {"role": "Construction Laborer", "data_scope": "metro", "metro_p25": 36941.0, "metro_p50": 43680.0, "metro_p75": 45732.5, "metro_trend_direction": "stable", "metro_trend_magnitude": "stable", "national_p50": 40560.0, "national_trend_direction": "stable", "national_trend_magnitude": "stable"}, {"role": "Electrician", "data_scope": "metro", "metro_p25": 60109.25, "metro_p50": 69874.0, "metro_p75": 72800.0, "metro_trend_direction": "down", "metro_trend_magnitude": "moderate", "national_p50": 71404.0, "national_trend_direction": "up", "national_trend_magnitude": "significant"}, {"role": "Manufacturing Production Worker/Assembler", "data_scope": "metro", "metro_p25": 34847.0, "metro_p50": 39520.0, "metro_p75": 43764.0, "metro_trend_direction": "down", "metro_trend_magnitude": "moderate", "national_p50": 39520.0, "national_trend_direction": "stable", "national_trend_magnitude": "stable"}, {"role": "Customer Service Representative", "data_scope": "metro", "metro_p25": 32240.0, "metro_p50": 38480.0, "metro_p75": 43680.0, "metro_trend_direction": "stable", "metro_trend_magnitude": "stable", "national_p50": 39520.0, "national_trend_direction": "stable", "national_trend_magnitude": "stable"}, {"role": "Food Service Worker", "data_scope": "metro", "metro_p25": 27411.0, "metro_p50": 29254.0, "metro_p75": 31200.0, "metro_trend_direction": "down", "metro_trend_magnitude": "moderate", "national_p50": 33756.2, "national_trend_direction": "stable", "national_trend_magnitude": "stable"}, {"role": "Certified Nursing Assistant / Home Health Aide", "data_scope": "metro", "metro_p25": 37440.0, "metro_p50": 42640.0, "metro_p75": 47320.0, "metro_trend_direction": "down", "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": 35360.0, "metro_p50": 41588.2, "metro_p75": 44720.0, "metro_trend_direction": "down", "metro_trend_magnitude": "moderate", "national_p50": 43680.0, "national_trend_direction": "up", "national_trend_magnitude": "moderate"}, {"role": "HVAC Technician", "data_scope": "metro", "metro_p25": 61360.0, "metro_p50": 69680.0, "metro_p75": 69689.0, "metro_trend_direction": "up", "metro_trend_magnitude": "moderate", "national_p50": 70720.0, "national_trend_direction": "up", "national_trend_magnitude": "moderate"}, {"role": "Registered Nurse", "data_scope": "metro", "metro_p25": 83200.0, "metro_p50": 96720.0, "metro_p75": 106253.0, "metro_trend_direction": "up", "metro_trend_magnitude": "moderate", "national_p50": 102581.0, "national_trend_direction": "up", "national_trend_magnitude": "significant"}, {"role": "Software Engineer", "data_scope": "metro", "metro_p25": 86044.75, "metro_p50": 131414.0, "metro_p75": 149553.0, "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": "metro", "metro_p25": 83605.0, "metro_p50": 130933.2, "metro_p75": 131901.0, "metro_trend_direction": "up", "metro_trend_magnitude": "significant", "national_p50": 139500.0, "national_trend_direction": "up", "national_trend_magnitude": "moderate"}, {"role": "Accountant", "data_scope": "metro", "metro_p25": 56632.0, "metro_p50": 65372.8, "metro_p75": 70752.0, "metro_trend_direction": "stable", "metro_trend_magnitude": "stable", "national_p50": 72182.0, "national_trend_direction": "up", "national_trend_magnitude": "moderate"}, {"role": "Financial Analyst", "data_scope": "metro", "metro_p25": 65532.75, "metro_p50": 78962.0, "metro_p75": 83713.0, "metro_trend_direction": "down", "metro_trend_magnitude": "moderate", "national_p50": 94782.0, "national_trend_direction": "stable", "national_trend_magnitude": "stable"}, {"role": "HR Generalist/Manager", "data_scope": "metro", "metro_p25": 55000.0, "metro_p50": 76500.0, "metro_p75": 76500.0, "metro_trend_direction": "up", "metro_trend_magnitude": "moderate", "national_p50": 75000.0, "national_trend_direction": "up", "national_trend_magnitude": "significant"}, {"role": "Marketing Specialist", "data_scope": "metro", "metro_p25": 47500.0, "metro_p50": 62521.6, "metro_p75": 71276.0, "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": 70157.0, "metro_p50": 82249.6, "metro_p75": 88005.0, "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": 31044.0, "metro_p50": 40175.0, "metro_p75": 52246.0, "metro_trend_direction": "up", "metro_trend_magnitude": "moderate", "national_p50": 56731.0, "national_trend_direction": "up", "national_trend_magnitude": "significant"}, {"role": "Account Manager", "data_scope": "metro", "metro_p25": 61731.0, "metro_p50": 86500.0, "metro_p75": 107500.0, "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": 41352.0, "metro_p50": 75109.6, "metro_p75": 84528.75, "metro_trend_direction": "up", "metro_trend_magnitude": "moderate", "national_p50": 75000.0, "national_trend_direction": "stable", "national_trend_magnitude": "stable"}, {"role": "Business Analyst", "data_scope": "metro", "metro_p25": 81526.0, "metro_p50": 81526.0, "metro_p75": 81526.0, "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": 63440.0, "pay_trend_direction": "stable", "pay_trend_magnitude": "stable", "postings_trend_direction": "up", "postings_trend_magnitude": "significant"}, {"sector": "Manufacturing", "median_pay": 59347.0, "pay_trend_direction": "up", "pay_trend_magnitude": "moderate", "postings_trend_direction": "up", "postings_trend_magnitude": "significant"}, {"sector": "Retail Trade", "median_pay": 35360.0, "pay_trend_direction": "stable", "pay_trend_magnitude": "stable", "postings_trend_direction": "up", "postings_trend_magnitude": "significant"}, {"sector": "Transportation, Warehousing & Utilities", "median_pay": 51604.0, "pay_trend_direction": "up", "pay_trend_magnitude": "moderate", "postings_trend_direction": "up", "postings_trend_magnitude": "significant"}, {"sector": "Information", "median_pay": 72689.0, "pay_trend_direction": "up", "pay_trend_magnitude": "moderate", "postings_trend_direction": "up", "postings_trend_magnitude": "significant"}, {"sector": "Financial Activities", "median_pay": 52738.5, "pay_trend_direction": "down", "pay_trend_magnitude": "moderate", "postings_trend_direction": "up", "postings_trend_magnitude": "significant"}, {"sector": "Professional & Business Services", "median_pay": 56160.0, "pay_trend_direction": "stable", "pay_trend_magnitude": "stable", "postings_trend_direction": "up", "postings_trend_magnitude": "significant"}, {"sector": "Education & Health Services", "median_pay": 57091.0, "pay_trend_direction": "up", "pay_trend_magnitude": "moderate", "postings_trend_direction": "up", "postings_trend_magnitude": "significant"}, {"sector": "Leisure & Hospitality", "median_pay": 33280.0, "pay_trend_direction": "up", "pay_trend_magnitude": "moderate", "postings_trend_direction": "up", "postings_trend_magnitude": "significant"}, {"sector": "Government", "median_pay": 64929.0, "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": "appleton-wi-msa/metro-job-market/2026-09.html", "pdf": "appleton-wi-msa/metro-job-market/2026-09.pdf", "sources_html": "appleton-wi-msa/metro-job-market/2026-09.sources.html"}, "published_at": "2026-10-09T13:48:06.230390+00:00", "report_html_url": "https://reports.wagescape.com/archive/v1/editions/appleton-wi-msa/metro-job-market/2026-09.html", "report_pdf_url": "https://reports.wagescape.com/archive/v1/editions/appleton-wi-msa/metro-job-market/2026-09.pdf"}