Manufacturing Economy Monitor

Manufacturing in Wisconsin

Manufacturing contributed $77.2B to Wisconsin's economy in 2025 (16.1% of the state's GDP), ranking Wisconsin #12 of 50 states and DC by manufacturing output, per the Bureau of Economic Analysis. Output rose 0.7% year over year (-0.1% after inflation). The state's largest manufacturing industry is food, beverage, and tobacco products ($14.9B in 2025).

Output and rank

  • Manufacturing GDP: $77.2B in 2025, #12 of 50 states and DC.
  • Share of the state economy: 16.1% of Wisconsin's GDP.
  • Growth: +0.7% year over year (-0.1% after inflation).
  • Composition: $42.1B durable goods, $35.1B nondurable goods.

Largest manufacturing industries in Wisconsin

  • Food, Beverage, and Tobacco Products: $14.9B (2025)
  • Machinery: $13.1B (2025)
  • Fabricated Metal Products: $8.6B (2025)

Frequently asked questions

  • How big is manufacturing in Wisconsin? Manufacturing contributed $77.2B to Wisconsin's economy in 2025, ranking #12 of 50 states and DC, per BEA state GDP data.
  • What share of Wisconsin's economy is manufacturing? Manufacturing is 16.1% of Wisconsin's GDP in 2025. Nationally, manufacturing averages 9.5% of GDP, so Wisconsin is more manufacturing-intensive than the country as a whole.
  • What is the largest manufacturing industry in Wisconsin? Food, Beverage, and Tobacco Products leads at $14.9B (2025), followed by machinery ($13.1B) and fabricated metal products ($8.6B), per BEA state GDP by industry.
  • Is manufacturing in Wisconsin growing? Wisconsin's manufacturing GDP is up 0.7% year over year in dollar terms and down 0.1% after inflation, per the latest BEA annual data (2025).
  • Does Wisconsin make more durable or nondurable goods? Durable goods lead in Wisconsin: $42.1B versus $35.1B of value added in 2025.

About this data

  • Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (public domain). National quarterly values are seasonally adjusted annual rates. Corporate-profit industry detail reflects inventory valuation adjustment without capital consumption adjustment, per NIPA table 6.16D conventions.

Last reviewed 2026-10-01.