Employment Market Snapshot: Light Industrial Positions
76% of Wisconsin employers ranked “meeting higher total reward demands” as their #2 challenge for 2025. Employers in the manufacturing industry have directly felt these higher pay demands, with hourly pay rates for light industrial positions increasing nearly $5/hour over the last five years.
A tight labor market and low unemployment, intensified by the pandemic, contribute to these pay rate increases. Other contributing factors include candidate expectations, pay compression, skill shortages, employer location, and access to public transportation.
Average Hourly Pay Rates - QTI Light Industrial Employees
Dane County Market
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Pro Tip: In Dane County, a manufacturer’s location relative to the bus line also impacts pay rates. On average, employers off the bus line pay $2.17 more per hour than those on the bus line.
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Milwaukee, WI Market
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Pro Tip: In the Milwaukee market, a manufacturer’s location relative to the bus line also impacts pay rates. On average, employers off the bus line pay $2.95 more per hour than those on the bus line.
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Beaver Dam, WI Area Market
Locations Matters
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Pro Tip: Location Matters. On average, Dodge County area manufacturers located outside of Beaver Dam pay $1.40/hour more than those in Beaver Dam. (Nov. 2024)
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Unemployment
Wisconsin’s tight labor market is demonstrated by its historically low unemployment rate. The current unemployment rate in Wisconsin is 2.9% (October 2024), a .5% decrease year-over-year. Comparatively, the current national unemployment rate is 4.1%, which is slightly higher than October 2023’s 3.8%.
Unemployment rates in South Central Wisconsin fall below both the national and state average, further amplifying talent attraction challenges. To overcome these challenges and market uncertainties, many employers are turning to staffing agencies to provide a flexible workforce strategy.
Unemployment Rates (October 2024)
- U.S.: 4.1%
- Wisconsin: 2.9%
- Columbia County, Wisconsin: 2.1%
- Dane County, Wisconsin: 2.0%
- Dodge County, Wisconsin: 2.2%
- Milwaukee County, Wisconsin: 3.8%
- Ozaukee County, Wisconsin: 2.9%
- Sauk County, Wisconsin: 2.1%
- Waukesha County, Wisconsin: 2.3%
- Washington County, Wisconsin: 2.2%
Why do Employees Resign:
According to QTI’s 2025 HR Trends survey, the number one reason employees resign is Career Development. Compensation is the second reason, while retirement rounds out the top three.
Furthermore, LinkedIn reports that 7 out of 10 employees said they would resign over a bad boss, with millennials being the most likely to do so.
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Pro Tip: Top 3 Employee Resignation Reasons
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Ready to Learn More?
By partnering with QTI, you gain access to a wealth of recruiting and HR expertise. Whether you are looking for flexible staffing solutions to help you find top talent or guidance on compensation, QTI’s dedicated and experienced team is ready to help. To learn more, fill out our contact form and a QTI team member will reach out to you or call the QTI location nearest you.
Sources: QTI's 2025 HR Trends Survey, Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development; FRED Economic Data; QTI pay rates based on placed candidates in the Beaver Dam, Madison, and Milwaukee, WI markets. WI Market Data - QTI Consulting, Inc.