Covering nearly 16.9 million acres — almost half of Wisconsin’s total land area — the state’s forest products industry serves as a foundational economic driver, generating tens of billions of dollars in output while supporting more than 100,000 jobs.

As Wisconsin prepares to launch Forest Products Week 2026, recent economic data underscores the sector’s vital role in powering manufacturing, sustaining rural communities, and driving innovation across regional markets.

According to state industry reports, the forest products sector generates $27.8 billion directly and $43.5 billion in total annual economic output for Wisconsin. Within the manufacturing sector specifically, forest products account for 11.9% of total production value — totaling $26.7 billion in manufactured goods — alongside 10.8% of manufacturing employment and 10.2% of manufacturing labor income. The industry serves as the top employer in five Wisconsin counties and represents approximately 11% of all manufacturing jobs statewide.

The industry directly employs between 55,000 and 56,000 workers across 1,247 business establishments, generating $4.5 billion to $4.6 billion in direct labor income annually. When indirect and induced economic ripple effects are included, the sector’s total impact reaches between 124,500 and 127,000 jobs and more than $9.2 billion to $9.6 billion in worker earnings.

Employees in the forest products sector earn an average annual labor income of $81,000, which is 22% higher than the statewide average for all industries combined ($67,000). Workers in pulp, paper, and paperboard manufacturing earn even higher wages, averaging $107,000 annually.

Although the sector experienced an 11% decline in employment and a 17% drop in active business establishments between 2010 and 2023 — largely driven by pandemic-era losses in paper manufacturing — several subsectors have shown a post-pandemic rebound, and overall industry labor earnings have risen 23.9% over the same period.

Wisconsin has maintained its position as the nation’s leader in paper production for more than 70 years, manufacturing writing paper, packaging, cardboard, and tissue goods. Beyond traditional paper and lumber, state forests yield engineered wood, furniture, building materials, and wood fuel, as well as specialty food and cosmetic additives such as ice cream thickeners and liquid smoke.

Wisconsin also ranks fourth nationally in annual maple syrup production, alongside non-timber forest goods like wild berries and mushrooms.

Events planned

To celebrate these economic and ecological contributions, Wisconsin will launch Forest Products Week 2026 Monday, Oct. 19, with a series of public community events in Rhinelander. The day’s activities begin in the afternoon with a behind-the-scenes tour of the Cedric A. Vig Outdoor Classroom from 2 to 3:30 p.m., where visitors can explore the facility’s outdoor education centers, including its lodge, Long Lake pier, Bog Walk trail, and high ropes course.

The main kickoff celebration takes place later that evening at Rhinelander Brewing Company from 5 to 7:30 p.m., featuring a complimentary dinner and community gathering.

At 6 p.m., Alicia Cramer, chief operating officer of the U.S. Endowment for Forestry and Communities, will deliver opening remarks on how sustainable forestry powers local economies and supports rural hometowns.
Cramer brings more than 30 years of professional experience spanning packaging engineering, supply chain analysis, and forestry product development.

Kerry Bloedorn, director of the Pioneer Park Historical Complex and host on local television and radio, will serve as emcee for the evening. Following the keynote remarks, four-person teams will participate in a multi-round forestry trivia competition starting at 6:15 p.m., with awards presented at 7:15 p.m.

Organizers noted that both the outdoor classroom tour and evening celebration are free and open to all ages, though advance online registration is required by visiting the UW-Stevens Point website at uwsp.edu/wisconsin-forestry-center.