Find a Job You Really Want In
Planning a job search in 2026?
If so, you might be wondering about the current state of the job market in your area or how it compares to other cities in Wisconsin. Job markets can vary significantly even within a single state, making the search for employment easier in some locations than others.
At Zippia, we analyzed the latest data to identify the best places to find a job in Wisconsin for 2026.
Here are the ten hottest job markets in Wisconsin.
The 10 Hottest Job Markets In Wisconsin
- Mequon
- New Berlin
- Brookfield
- Menomonee Falls village
- Waunakee village
- Wauwatosa
- Sussex village
- Pewaukee
- Germantown village
- Harrison village
These ten cities represent the most favorable job markets in Wisconsin for 2026. Keep reading for a more detailed explanation of how we arrived at these results. If your city isn’t in the top 10, continue scrolling to see its position on the complete list.
How We Determined the Best Job Markets in Wisconsin
We utilized the latest data from the Census American Community Survey to analyze the primary metro areas in Wisconsin, focusing on cities with a civilian workforce exceeding 5,000.
While the unemployment rate is a critical indicator of the job market, it does not tell the whole story. To provide a comprehensive overview, we evaluated each metro area across four categories:
- Unemployment Rate
- Change in Unemployment Rate
- Household Income Change
- Current Average Household Income
A lower score in each category indicates a stronger job market. For instance, the Harrison village area had the lowest unemployment rate at 0.5%, earning it the top spot in that category. We averaged the rankings across all four categories to create our final list, ranking the 91 metro areas from 1 to 91.
1. Mequon
Unemployment Rate: 2.18%
Average Income: $178,759
2. New Berlin
Unemployment Rate: 2.73%
Average Income: $103,991
3. Brookfield
Unemployment Rate: 2.84%
Average Income: $145,936
4. Menomonee Falls Village
Unemployment Rate: 2.5%
Average Income: $105,077
5. Waunakee Village
Unemployment Rate: 3.27%
Average Income: $121,280
6. Wauwatosa
Unemployment Rate: 2.64%
Average Income: $100,560
7. Sussex Village
Unemployment Rate: 2.07%
Average Income: $98,376
8. Pewaukee
Unemployment Rate: 2.25%
Average Income: $128,922
9. Germantown Village
Unemployment Rate: 2.85%
Average Income: $104,326
10. Harrison Village
Unemployment Rate: 0.5%
Average Income: $104,144
Measuring the Best Job Markets In Wisconsin
You may be thinking, ‘I live in Harrison village and have been job searching for months—this can’t be accurate!’ This concern is valid.
While Harrison village boasts the hottest job market in Wisconsin, individual circumstances such as education, experience, and the specific occupation can significantly impact job search success. However, overall, job seekers in Harrison village generally have better prospects than those in areas lower on the list.
Detailed List Of The Hottest Job Markets In Wisconsin
| Rank | Place | Unemployment Rate |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mequon | 2.18% |
| 2 | New Berlin | 2.73% |
| 3 | Brookfield | 2.84% |
| 4 | Menomonee Falls Village | 2.5% |
| 5 | Waunakee Village | 3.27% |
| 6 | Wauwatosa | 2.64% |
| 7 | Sussex Village | 2.07% |
| 8 | Pewaukee | 2.25% |
| 9 | Germantown Village | 2.85% |
| 10 | Harrison Village | 0.5% |
| 11 | Shorewood Village | 3.82% |
| 12 | Muskego | 3.09% |
| 13 | River Falls | 1.84% |
| 14 | Glendale | 1.44% |
| 15 | Oconomowoc | 2.82% |
| 16 | Verona | 2.11% |
| 17 | Fox Crossing Village | 2.34% |
| 18 | Deforest Village | 1.27% |
| 19 | Bellevue Village | 3.33% |
| 20 | Monroe | 2.13% |
| 21 | Port Washington | 4.13% |
| 22 | Whitefish Bay Village | 2.13% |
| 23 | Richfield Village | 2.88% |
| 24 | Middleton | 3.37% |
| 25 | Grafton Village | 3.8% |
| 26 | Oregon Village | 2.62% |
| 27 | Weston Village | 2.62% |
| 28 | Kaukauna | 1.92% |
| 29 | Sun Prairie | 2.69% |
| 30 | Marshfield | 2.83% |
| 31 | Neenah | 3.07% |
| 32 | Fitchburg | 3.65% |
| 33 | Cedarburg | 3.47% |
| 34 | Appleton | 3.69% |
| 35 | Franklin | 3.22% |
| 36 | Elkhorn | 2.81% |
| 37 | Onalaska | 3.1% |
| 38 | Menasha | 4.26% |
| 39 | Howard Village | 3.58% |
| 40 | Reedsburg | 1.71% |
| 41 | Eau Claire | 4.0% |
| 42 | Greendale Village | 3.65% |
| 43 | Stoughton | 2.31% |
| 44 | Waukesha | 3.08% |
| 45 | St. Francis | 4.22% |
| 46 | Oak Creek | 4.04% |
| 47 | Caledonia Village | 4.61% |
| 48 | Little Chute Village | 2.95% |
| 49 | Plover Village | 2.64% |
| 50 | Allouez Village | 3.06% |
| 51 | Pleasant Prairie Village | 4.72% |
| 52 | Burlington | 3.42% |
| 53 | Hartford | 2.37% |
| 54 | Madison | 3.48% |
| 55 | Hudson | 2.2% |
| 56 | De Pere | 3.34% |
| 57 | Salem Lakes Village | 4.84% |
| 58 | Platteville | 4.43% |
| 59 | West Bend | 3.11% |
| 60 | Oshkosh | 3.94% |
| 61 | Mount Pleasant Village | 3.19% |
| 62 | Suamico Village | 4.51% |
| 63 | Wausau | 5.19% |
| 64 | Greenfield | 3.8% |
| 65 | Kenosha | 7.65% |
| 66 | Baraboo | 6.92% |
| 67 | Ashwaubenon Village | 4.36% |
| 68 | Beaver Dam | 5.39% |
| 69 | Chippewa Falls | 5.29% |
| 70 | Sheboygan | 5.55% |
| 71 | Two Rivers | 4.58% |
| 72 | Manitowoc | 3.18% |
| 73 | Fond Du Lac | 5.53% |
| 74 | Green Bay | 4.01% |
| 75 | Stevens Point | 4.32% |
| 76 | South Milwaukee | 5.96% |
| 77 | Janesville | 4.57% |
| 78 | La Crosse | 4.99% |
| 79 | Beloit | 9.41% |
| 80 | Fort Atkinson | 4.22% |
| 81 | Cudahy | 3.76% |
| 82 | West Allis | 4.47% |
| 83 | Watertown | 4.29% |
| 84 | Marinette | 4.16% |
| 85 | Superior | 3.56% |
| 86 | Milwaukee | 7.79% |
| 87 | Brown Deer Village | 5.16% |
| 88 | Whitewater | 7.73% |
| 89 | Menomonie | 3.89% |
| 90 | Racine | 7.01% |
| 91 | Wisconsin Rapids | 5.5% |
As we move through 2026, understanding the dynamics of local job markets can empower job seekers to make informed decisions about where to focus their search. Whether you find yourself in one of the top-ranking cities or exploring options elsewhere in Wisconsin, knowing the landscape can enhance your opportunities.
Author
Kathy is the head of content at Zippia with a knack for engaging audiences. Prior to joining Zippia, Kathy worked at Gateway Blend growing audiences across diverse brands. She graduated from Troy University with a degree in Social Science Education.
