{"schema_version": 1, "id": "janesville-wi-msa/metro-job-market/2026-10", "product": "Metro Job Market Pulse", "metro": {"geography_id": 294, "label": "Janesville, WI MSA", "slug": "janesville-wi-msa"}, "focus_area": {"key": "general_conditions", "slug": "metro-job-market", "label": "General Market Conditions"}, "period": "2026-10", "public_after": "2026-10-01", "frozen_at": "2026-11-03T07:41:54.310006+00:00", "headline": "Janesville's economy adds businesses as job growth stays flat.", "headline_summary": "Rock County gained 119 private establishments over the past year while private employment grew just 0.3% and unemployment climbed to 3.7% in August from a 2026 low of 3.1% in May.", "key_indicators": [{"label": "Rock County unemployment", "value": "3.7%", "context": "Up from 3.1% low in May 2026"}, {"label": "Private establishment growth", "value": "+3.1%", "context": "3,971 vs 3,852 establishments, year-over-year"}, {"label": "Rock County avg weekly wage growth", "value": "0.5%", "context": "Vs Wisconsin's -5.1% real wage decline, steepest in US"}, {"label": "Wisconsin statewide unemployment", "value": "3.2%", "context": "vs 4.2% national rate, September 2026"}], "takeaways": [{"headline": "Business formation is outpacing job creation in Rock County.", "body": "Private establishments grew to 3,971 from 3,852 over the past year, a gain of more than 3%, while private employment rose just 0.3%. New business formation may reflect confidence in the local market even as existing firms hold headcount flat."}, {"headline": "Healthcare remains the county's only consistent growth engine.", "body": "Education and health services added 253 jobs in Rock County on a year-over-year basis through Q1, the largest gain of any private sector, while trade, transportation and utilities shed 217 positions over the same period. Economic development planning should account for this bifurcation and treat the county's labor market as two distinct trend lines."}, {"headline": "County wage growth trails the state's already-weak pace.", "body": "Rock County's average weekly wage rose 0.5% year-over-year to $1,273, while Wisconsin recorded the steepest real wage decline of any state at -5.1%. Consumer spending capacity in the metro appears more constrained than state-level averages alone would suggest."}, {"headline": "Unemployment's summer climb bears watching against the statewide pattern.", "body": "Rock County unemployment rose from a 2026 low of 3.1% in May to 3.7% in August, moving against Wisconsin's statewide rate, which held steady at 3.2% in September. A local-to-state divergence this size is worth tracking into Q4 data before drawing conclusions about the county's trajectory."}], "local_conditions": "Rock County unemployment rose to 3.7% in August, up three-tenths of a point from a year earlier, even as employers added 119 private establishments over the past year and healthcare continued absorbing the bulk of new positions. Private employment growth stayed essentially flat \u2014 up just 0.3% year-over-year through March \u2014 while trade, transportation and utilities contracted 1.3%, a pattern consistent with Wisconsin's statewide job count still sitting below its November 2024 peak.", "implications": "Flat private payroll growth alongside a rising county unemployment rate points to a local economy adding establishments without adding proportional headcount, a signal worth distinguishing from outright contraction when assessing business investment climate. Wage data reinforces the caution: Rock County's average weekly wage rose only 0.5% year-over-year, well under Wisconsin's statewide real wage decline of 5.1%, suggesting local household purchasing power is under pressure even where employment holds steady. Commerce leaders and economic development officials should track establishment counts alongside payroll figures before characterizing current conditions as either expansion or slowdown.", "looking_ahead": [{"category": "Data release to watch", "body": "October metro-level BLS data for Janesville has not yet posted; county figures through August show unemployment climbing from spring lows. The next release will clarify whether the summer uptick is seasonal or a trend."}, {"category": "Sector concentration risk", "body": "Trade, transportation and utilities \u2014 a sector tied to the metro's logistics and fulfillment base \u2014 lost jobs year-over-year even as warehouse and fulfillment advertised pay softened locally. Commerce leaders tracking the metro's logistics footprint should watch whether this sector stabilizes or continues contracting into year-end."}, {"category": "Wage-inflation gap", "body": "Wisconsin's statewide real wage decline of 5.1% is the steepest in the nation; if Rock County's 0.5% weekly wage growth persists against continued inflation, local consumer spending data merits closer monitoring heading into the holiday retail season."}, {"category": "Policy pressure point", "body": "Federal WARN filings nationally have topped 3,860 notices affecting over 340,000 workers this year, and Wisconsin's lower 25-employee notification threshold makes the state more sensitive to smaller-scale layoffs. No major Rock County filings have surfaced this month, but the threshold means local economic developers get earlier signal than most states if conditions shift."}], "roles": [{"role": "Retail Sales Associate", "data_scope": "metro", "metro_p25": 23182.0, "metro_p50": 30735.0, "metro_p75": 35880.0, "metro_trend_direction": "down", "metro_trend_magnitude": "moderate", "national_p50": 33340.0, "national_trend_direction": "stable", "national_trend_magnitude": "stable"}, {"role": "Retail Cashier", "data_scope": "metro", "metro_p25": 24609.0, "metro_p50": 29877.0, "metro_p75": 31708.0, "metro_trend_direction": "down", "metro_trend_magnitude": "moderate", "national_p50": 31268.0, "national_trend_direction": "stable", "national_trend_magnitude": "stable"}, {"role": "Warehouse/Fulfillment Associate", "data_scope": "metro", "metro_p25": 32254.0, "metro_p50": 36400.0, "metro_p75": 41184.0, "metro_trend_direction": "down", "metro_trend_magnitude": "moderate", "national_p50": 38480.0, "national_trend_direction": "stable", "national_trend_magnitude": "stable"}, {"role": "CDL Truck Driver", "data_scope": "metro", "metro_p25": 57789.25, "metro_p50": 78798.0, "metro_p75": 85800.0, "metro_trend_direction": "stable", "metro_trend_magnitude": "stable", "national_p50": 78872.0, "national_trend_direction": "stable", "national_trend_magnitude": "stable"}, {"role": "Delivery Driver", "data_scope": "metro", "metro_p25": 29573.0, "metro_p50": 35339.0, "metro_p75": 43680.0, "metro_trend_direction": "down", "metro_trend_magnitude": "significant", "national_p50": 34826.0, "national_trend_direction": "stable", "national_trend_magnitude": "stable"}, {"role": "Construction Laborer", "data_scope": "metro", "metro_p25": 35360.0, "metro_p50": 41226.6, "metro_p75": 42052.25, "metro_trend_direction": "stable", "metro_trend_magnitude": "stable", "national_p50": 40726.6, "national_trend_direction": "up", "national_trend_magnitude": "moderate"}, {"role": "Electrician", "data_scope": "metro", "metro_p25": 75375.25, "metro_p50": 83200.0, "metro_p75": 85280.0, "metro_trend_direction": "up", "metro_trend_magnitude": "moderate", "national_p50": 71835.0, "national_trend_direction": "up", "national_trend_magnitude": "moderate"}, {"role": "Manufacturing Production Worker/Assembler", "data_scope": "metro", "metro_p25": 35360.0, "metro_p50": 39520.0, "metro_p75": 41600.0, "metro_trend_direction": "stable", "metro_trend_magnitude": "stable", "national_p50": 39520.0, "national_trend_direction": "stable", "national_trend_magnitude": "stable"}, {"role": "Customer Service Representative", "data_scope": "metro", "metro_p25": 35360.0, "metro_p50": 39313.0, "metro_p75": 41600.0, "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": 28206.0, "metro_p50": 35634.4, "metro_p75": 40175.0, "metro_trend_direction": "down", "metro_trend_magnitude": "moderate", "national_p50": 33764.0, "national_trend_direction": "stable", "national_trend_magnitude": "stable"}, {"role": "Certified Nursing Assistant / Home Health Aide", "data_scope": "metro", "metro_p25": 36633.0, "metro_p50": 44772.0, "metro_p75": 46929.0, "metro_trend_direction": "stable", "metro_trend_magnitude": "stable", "national_p50": 41600.0, "national_trend_direction": "up", "national_trend_magnitude": "moderate"}, {"role": "Administrative Assistant/Office Clerk", "data_scope": "metro", "metro_p25": 36020.5, "metro_p50": 43322.0, "metro_p75": 46800.0, "metro_trend_direction": "down", "metro_trend_magnitude": "moderate", "national_p50": 44552.0, "national_trend_direction": "up", "national_trend_magnitude": "moderate"}, {"role": "HVAC Technician", "data_scope": "state_rollup", "metro_p25": 60320.0, "metro_p50": 69500.0, "metro_p75": 76680.75, "metro_trend_direction": "up", "metro_trend_magnitude": "moderate", "national_p50": 71406.0, "national_trend_direction": "up", "national_trend_magnitude": "moderate"}, {"role": "Registered Nurse", "data_scope": "metro", "metro_p25": 91820.0, "metro_p50": 108853.0, "metro_p75": 117970.0, "metro_trend_direction": "stable", "metro_trend_magnitude": "stable", "national_p50": 102252.0, "national_trend_direction": "up", "national_trend_magnitude": "significant"}, {"role": "Software Engineer", "data_scope": "metro", "metro_p25": 142415.0, "metro_p50": 142668.4, "metro_p75": 143803.75, "metro_trend_direction": "stable", "metro_trend_magnitude": "stable", "national_p50": 154403.0, "national_trend_direction": "stable", "national_trend_magnitude": "stable"}, {"role": "Data Engineer", "data_scope": "metro", "metro_p25": 87887.25, "metro_p50": 133377.8, "metro_p75": 154789.0, "metro_trend_direction": "down", "metro_trend_magnitude": "moderate", "national_p50": 138000.0, "national_trend_direction": "stable", "national_trend_magnitude": "stable"}, {"role": "Accountant", "data_scope": "metro", "metro_p25": 60000.0, "metro_p50": 64185.6, "metro_p75": 73486.0, "metro_trend_direction": "down", "metro_trend_magnitude": "significant", "national_p50": 72000.0, "national_trend_direction": "stable", "national_trend_magnitude": "stable"}, {"role": "Financial Analyst", "data_scope": "metro", "metro_p25": 69438.0, "metro_p50": 110000.0, "metro_p75": 110000.0, "metro_trend_direction": "up", "metro_trend_magnitude": "significant", "national_p50": 94646.0, "national_trend_direction": "stable", "national_trend_magnitude": "stable"}, {"role": "HR Generalist/Manager", "data_scope": "metro", "metro_p25": 54425.0, "metro_p50": 73658.0, "metro_p75": 83183.75, "metro_trend_direction": "up", "metro_trend_magnitude": "moderate", "national_p50": 74477.0, "national_trend_direction": "up", "national_trend_magnitude": "significant"}, {"role": "Marketing Specialist", "data_scope": "state_rollup", "metro_p25": 48552.0, "metro_p50": 58054.0, "metro_p75": 67922.0, "metro_trend_direction": "stable", "metro_trend_magnitude": "stable", "national_p50": 62916.0, "national_trend_direction": "up", "national_trend_magnitude": "moderate"}, {"role": "Operations Manager", "data_scope": "state_rollup", "metro_p25": 70000.0, "metro_p50": 85176.0, "metro_p75": 88005.0, "metro_trend_direction": "up", "metro_trend_magnitude": "moderate", "national_p50": 86294.2, "national_trend_direction": "stable", "national_trend_magnitude": "stable"}, {"role": "Elementary/Secondary School Teacher", "data_scope": "metro", "metro_p25": 31200.0, "metro_p50": 45531.0, "metro_p75": 53309.0, "metro_trend_direction": "stable", "metro_trend_magnitude": "stable", "national_p50": 55908.0, "national_trend_direction": "up", "national_trend_magnitude": "moderate"}, {"role": "Account Manager", "data_scope": "metro", "metro_p25": 59150.25, "metro_p50": 115000.0, "metro_p75": 149791.0, "metro_trend_direction": "up", "metro_trend_magnitude": "significant", "national_p50": 94009.4, "national_trend_direction": "up", "national_trend_magnitude": "moderate"}, {"role": "Warehouse Manager", "data_scope": "state_rollup", "metro_p25": 66387.0, "metro_p50": 80000.0, "metro_p75": 85223.0, "metro_trend_direction": "up", "metro_trend_magnitude": "significant", "national_p50": 75000.0, "national_trend_direction": "stable", "national_trend_magnitude": "stable"}, {"role": "Business Analyst", "data_scope": "state_rollup", "metro_p25": 76502.0, "metro_p50": 91417.6, "metro_p75": 103251.0, "metro_trend_direction": "stable", "metro_trend_magnitude": "stable", "national_p50": 98302.2, "national_trend_direction": "stable", "national_trend_magnitude": "stable"}], "industry_snapshot": [{"sector": "Construction", "median_pay": 53479.0, "pay_trend_direction": "down", "pay_trend_magnitude": "significant", "postings_trend_direction": "up", "postings_trend_magnitude": "significant"}, {"sector": "Manufacturing", "median_pay": 73819.0, "pay_trend_direction": "up", "pay_trend_magnitude": "significant", "postings_trend_direction": "up", "postings_trend_magnitude": "significant"}, {"sector": "Retail Trade", "median_pay": 40555.0, "pay_trend_direction": "stable", "pay_trend_magnitude": "stable", "postings_trend_direction": "up", "postings_trend_magnitude": "significant"}, {"sector": "Transportation, Warehousing & Utilities", "median_pay": 55605.0, "pay_trend_direction": "stable", "pay_trend_magnitude": "stable", "postings_trend_direction": "up", "postings_trend_magnitude": "significant"}, {"sector": "Information", "median_pay": 71047.0, "pay_trend_direction": "down", "pay_trend_magnitude": "moderate", "postings_trend_direction": "down", "postings_trend_magnitude": "moderate"}, {"sector": "Financial Activities", "median_pay": 53175.0, "pay_trend_direction": "down", "pay_trend_magnitude": "significant", "postings_trend_direction": "up", "postings_trend_magnitude": "significant"}, {"sector": "Professional & Business Services", "median_pay": 50055.0, "pay_trend_direction": "down", "pay_trend_magnitude": "significant", "postings_trend_direction": "up", "postings_trend_magnitude": "significant"}, {"sector": "Education & Health Services", "median_pay": 83200.0, "pay_trend_direction": "up", "pay_trend_magnitude": "significant", "postings_trend_direction": "up", "postings_trend_magnitude": "significant"}, {"sector": "Leisure & Hospitality", "median_pay": 32469.0, "pay_trend_direction": "stable", "pay_trend_magnitude": "stable", "postings_trend_direction": "up", "postings_trend_magnitude": "significant"}, {"sector": "Government", "median_pay": 67385.5, "pay_trend_direction": "up", "pay_trend_magnitude": "moderate", "postings_trend_direction": "up", "postings_trend_magnitude": "significant"}], "citations": [{"source_name": "Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development / USA Facts", "source_url": null, "statement": "Rock County unemployment rose to 3.7% in August 2026"}, {"source_name": "U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics", "source_url": null, "statement": "Private establishments in Rock County grew to 3,971 from 3,852"}, {"source_name": "U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages", "source_url": null, "statement": "Education and health services added 253 jobs in Rock County YoY"}, {"source_name": "Bureau of Labor Statistics", "source_url": null, "statement": "Wisconsin saw steepest real wage decline nationally at -5.1%"}, {"source_name": "Bureau of Labor Statistics", "source_url": null, "statement": "Wisconsin statewide unemployment held at 3.2% vs 4.2% national"}, {"source_name": "Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development", "source_url": null, "statement": "Wisconsin WARN threshold set at 25 employees vs federal 50-100"}], "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": "November 2026", "files": {"html": "janesville-wi-msa/metro-job-market/2026-10.html", "pdf": "janesville-wi-msa/metro-job-market/2026-10.pdf", "sources_html": "janesville-wi-msa/metro-job-market/2026-10.sources.html"}, "published_at": "2026-11-03T08:23:51.254884+00:00", "report_html_url": "https://reports.wagescape.com/archive/v1/editions/janesville-wi-msa/metro-job-market/2026-10.html", "report_pdf_url": "https://reports.wagescape.com/archive/v1/editions/janesville-wi-msa/metro-job-market/2026-10.pdf"}