MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Wisconsin’s private-sector job growth is half the national average, ranking 38th in the most recent 12-month reporting period. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported Thursday that private sector jobs grew 1.16 percent in Wisconsin for the 12-month period from September 2013 through September 2014. The national growth rate was twice as high at 2.3 percent. Wisconsin has been behind the national average since July 2011. The quarterly jobs report shows Wisconsin added 27,491 jobs during the most recent period. The report is based on a survey of nearly every employer and is considered the most accurate measure of job growth. Less reliable monthly data also released Thursday shows Wisconsin’s unemployment rate dropped to 4.8 percent in February. That is the lowest since July 2008.
