DWD secretary Reggie Newson also noted that Wisconsin has gained 30,000 jobs over the past 12 months, according to the CES estimates. He called the new figures “positive signs for our state's long-term growth."

Dresser of COWS agrees that the jobs picture in Wisconsin is improving but not fast enough to replace all the jobs lost during the recession. She says the state still has a "jobs deficit" of 126,000 — the number needed to replace those lost and account for population growth.

“We are on roughly an upward trend in jobs,” says Dresser. “Not enough jobs, not fast enough growth and not every single month, but largely positive.”

In fact, the latest COWS analysis shows Wisconsin closing the gap with the national rate of growth.