In early July, Forward Analytics – a Wisconsin-based non-partisan research organization that is a division of the Wisconsin Counties Association – released a report that found that, for the first time, the health care and social assistance industry is now the state’s largest employer. Previously, the manufacturing industry was Wisconsin’s largest employer. In particular, the report found that health care and social assistance positions increased from 321,000 to over 463,000 between 2001 and 2025. During that same time period, manufacturing positions declined from 560,000 to less than 460,000.

To read the summary of the report, as well as the report itself, go to the Forward Analytics website.