Work

The top industries and employers in Wisconsin’s Madison region

We’re diving into the 608’s largest industries + looking at who’s hiring. | Photo by @bestcoastmichelle

More than 500,000 people (and thousands of businesses) contribute to the Madison metro area’s economy. But have you ever wondered about the 608’s heaviest hitters?

Consider this Madison Business 101 — your guide to our region’s six key industries and five major employers.

Note: When we say Madison metro area, that refers to 30+ contiguous villages, cities, and towns.

The key industries

There are five key industries that represent ~65% of the Madison area’s economy, based on data from the Madison Region Economic Partnership. We’ve listed them in order of employment numbers.

Health Care and Social Services | 25% or 127,000 employees
With massive providers like the UW Health network and SSM Health, it’s hard to live in the 608 without knowing at least one person working in the industry. Plus, the rising health care startup scene supports market growth.

608today SSM Health — New medical campuses, like the updated SSM Health facility, are becoming more prevalent.

Retail trade | 16% or 81,000 employees
The 608’s retail market is dominated by big box stores like Target + Walmart for personal care items, food, and general merchandise. Additionally, local giants like SubZero and Trek also help comprise a portion of this workforce.

Education | 13% or 68,000 employees
With a Big Ten university, a handful of local colleges, plus an ever-growing K-12 school system, this industry is crucial to the greater Madison area economy — for both students + staff. You either went to school here or know someone who went to school here — it’s that simple.

Accommodation and Food Services | 11% or 55,000 employees
It’s the Midwest, of course accommodation and service are going to be one of our top industries — ever hear of Midwest nice? An estimated 2,500 businesses contribute to this economy by producing a coveted tourism experience + regional brews, local fare, and other hospitality services.

Public Administration | 10% or 54,000 employees
When you account for the federal, state, and local employees across all 34 entities in the metro area, plus all of the government employees within each city, it adds up to a lot. The City of Madison government employs upwards of 3,000 employees alone.

NOW SEE WHO’S HIRING

QUIZ

Test your business knowledge:
Which company employs the most people globally?

A. Amazon
B. McDonalds
C. Walmart
D. Starbucks

FIND OUT

Click here to have your event featured.

Today

Afro-Cuban Jazz Ensemble + Orchestra | Thu., Oct. 20 | 7:30 p.m. | Hamel Music Center, 740 University Ave., Madison | Free | Hear a set from the nine-piece UW ensemble band. 🎷
Brews and Q’s Taproom Trivia | Thu., Oct. 20 | 6:30-8:30 p.m. | Karben4 Brewing, 3698 Kinsman Blvd., Madison | Free | Compete for prizes and sip on delicious beer during these 50+ questions of original trivia. 📝

Friday

Old Oaks | Fri., Oct. 21 | 7 p.m. | Yahara Bay Distillers, 6250 Nesbitt Rd., Madison | Free+ | Join Frank and Daniel for live acoustic music + delicious specialty cocktails at the distillery.
The Rocky Horror Picture Show | Fri., Oct. 21 | Crucible, 3116 Commercial Ave., Madison | $8 | Screen “The Rocky Horror Picture Show” featuring the talented cast of Madison’s Velvet Darkness. 🍿

Saturday

Badger Bash: Wisconsin vs. Purdue | Sat., Oct. 22 | 12-1 p.m. | Union South, 1308 Dayton St., Madison | Free | Join game day’s best tailgate at Union South for food, drinks, and entertainment.
DeltaWeen Market | Sat., Oct. 22 | 3-8 p.m. | Delta Beer Lab, 167 E. Badger Rd., Madison | Free | Shop 20 area makers + sample beer from Delta Beer Lab and food prepared by local food trucks.

Sunday

Volunteer in the UW Lakeshore Nature Preserve | Sun., Oct. 23 | 9 a.m.-12 p.m. | 2000 University Bay Dr., Madison | Free | Learn about the natural world + take care of this beloved campus area.
Gallery Talk | Sun., Oct. 23 | 2 p.m. | Overture Center, 201 State St., Madison | Free | See artists Kyoung Ae Cho + Dakota Mace speak about their exhibits in the James Watrous Gallery. 🖼️

We have a monthly guide filled with events + activities you can plan for in advance. Click the button below to bookmark ideas for upcoming date nights, family outings, and time with friends.

100+ MORE EVENTS

Weather

56º | Mostly sunny | 5% chance of rain

Development

The Madison Yards project is bringing new residential properties, a 125-room hotel, a Whole Foods + multiple restaurants to the southwest corner of University Avenue and Segoe Road — get the updates. 🏗️ (Madison.com)
A 550-unit affordable housing project is being proposed for the Oscar Mayer site on Madison’s east side. The project will be presented to the Urban Design Commission + the Plan Commission in November. 🏢 (Cap Times)

Biz

After filing an alternative to bankruptcy earlier this year, Saris Cycling Group — a Fitchburg-born cycling retailer — has been sold to C+A Global. The online retailer plans to update product lines and re-energize the bike company. (Madison.com)

Opening

Say hello to Draper Brothers Chophouse: a new eatery coming to 101 N. Hamilton St. The historic building — formerly the Blue Marlin restaurant — will be renovated before opening in the spring of 2023. 🔪 (InBusiness Madison)

Closing

Hilldale’s AMC theater may be closing at the end of 2022. Unless the theater company extends its lease, the 35,000-sqft building will be converted to retail space. (Madison.com)

Outdoors

The Wisconsin DNR is helping locals “check out” a whole lot more with their library cards. A new pilot program allows 1,000 cardholders to get a free day pass to state parks or forests. Need to sign up for a library card? We got you. 📚 (NBC 15)

Seasonal

Agrace Thrift Store is opening its annual Holiday Pop-Up Shop one week from today, Thurs., Oct. 27. Stop by 1922 S. Stoughton Rd. before Sat., Nov. 26 + find a unique or quirky gift for a loved one. (Channel 3000)

Plan Ahead

Organizers of the Lake Geneva Ice Castles announced the attraction will be open for the 2022-23 season. Opening day is typically in January + tickets go on sale one week prior. Pro tip: Get those tickets ASAP as they will sell out, quickly. 🧊 (NBC 15)

Shop

Nothing screams fall like a cinnamon and clove-scented candle. Or maybe you’re more of a pumpkin lover? Either way, This midwest-based Etsy seller’s hand-poured candles are sure to impress. Bonus: They’re paraffin-free, phthalate-free, and made with coconut wax for a cleaner + longer burn.*

Learn

Did you know? Babbel offers multiple ways to learn a new language (think: lessons, podcasts, videos, and live online classes). 608today readers can choose from 14 languages with lessons that focus on practical, everyday phrases — plus useful tips and cultural knowledge to better understand the words they’re learning. Me encanta. 🗺️ *

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Does the internet know good beer? 💻

Best beers to try in WI, according to Reddit

What’s your preferred way to drink — a bottle, can, or glass? | Photo by @ryann_lianne

Wisconsin is home to 200+ breweries — surely, you already knew this. The Isthmus has over a dozen on its own — if you count brewhouses, too.

While you happen to be extremely well informed, because you read 608today, not all residents + visitors in Madison are. Reddit user u/tatcol22 posed a question to the r/Madison subreddit regarding the best beers to try in Wisconsin and we want to know what you think of the discussion.

Redditors followed with their input:

“I grew up in New Glarus and live there still. I drink moon man religiously.” -u/Ivymae88
“I’ve come to the conclusion that Spotted cow is the perfect neutral beer.” -u/SwagTwoButton
“Working Draft has excellent pales and IPAs if you’re in the Madison area. Youngblood has really good juicy IPAs.” -u/Walterodim79

Does Reddit know its stuff? Let us know — we trust our readership does.

THE WRAP

Today’s issue was written by Ryan.

Editor’s pick: With beer still in mind, I’d like to share my personal favorite local brew — the Karben4 Fantasy Factory. No, it’s not just about the can. This is a smooth, fruity beer with a lot of body + hops, but not too much that I feel bogged down while enjoying it.

Missed yesterday’s newsletter? We covered the local music scene.

Connect with us.

Editorial: Ally Geiger, Ryan Waldman, Dayten Rose, Josh Kranzberg, Ashlea Hearn, Emily Shea | Send us a scoop, question, or feedback.

Sales: Julie Brown | Advertise with us.

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