Economic Impact by Wisconsin's Wine and Spirits Industry
Economic Impact
Wisconsin's wine and spirits industry fuels the economy, creating over 35,000 jobs and generating $453.8 million in state tax revenue annually. With a broad reach across 30,297 retailers and contributing $2.5 billion to the economy, the industry is a key driver of economic growth in Wisconsin.
Wisconsin’s alcohol industry provides a tremendously positive economic impact to our local communities and across the state. The Wisconsin Wine and Spirit Institute represents our state’s distilled spirits and wine distributors, as well as a coalition of small businesses and members from across Wisconsin who contribute to this significant industry.
Wisconsin’s wine and spirits industry:
- Creates 35,683 direct, indirect, and induced jobs in Wisconsin
- Generate $122.4 million in wages for wholesaler employees in Wisconsin
- Service 30,297 retailers from dozens of facilities throughout Wisconsin
- Employ 1,372 people at distributors alone in Wisconsin
Tax Revenue & Collection
Wisconsin’s tax and regulatory structure creates a safe and competitive market, enabling consumers to select from the most diverse selection of alcoholic products in the world and allowing local family-owned businesses to reinvest in their workforce and local communities, all while providing Wisconsin with much-needed tax revenue.
- Wisconsin receives $453.8 million in state tax revenue from alcohol sales
- Wholesalers collect and remit $57.5 million in state excise taxes in Wisconsin
Job Creation
Wine and spirits wholesalers account for more than 86,000 jobs paying nearly $7.8 billion in wages in the United States. In Wisconsin, 60,643 people depend upon the wine and spirits industry for their livelihood when accounting for all types of jobs created by the industry including direct, indirect, and induced jobs.
Wages and jobs created by the wine and spirits industry in Wisconsin:
- Direct jobs: 35,683 jobs paying $1.06 billion in wages
- Indirect jobs: 10,717 jobs paying $692 million in wages
- Induced jobs: 14,243 jobs paying $770 million in wages
- Total jobs: 60,643 jobs paying $2.52 billion in wages
Tax Generation
Wisconsin received about $453.8 million in state and local government taxes from the wine and spirits industry. The federal government received a total of $158.8 million in excise taxes and over $355.4 million in business related taxes from beverage alcohol products, not including the customs duties paid on imported products.
Tax revenues from the wine and spirits industry in Wisconsin annually
- State taxes: $261 million in consumer taxes / $193 million in business taxes
- Federal taxes: $159 million in consumer taxes / $355 million in business taxes
- Total taxes: $420 million in consumer taxes / $548 million in business taxes
Wider Impact
Wisconsin’s wine and spirits industry is an important component of the state’s economy outside of employees working within the three tiers, indirectly supporting over 14,243 jobs, providing over $770.2 million in wages and contributing more than $2.5 billion to the state’s economy. From wholesalers and retailers to contractors and manufacturers, the wine and spirits industry supports a wide range of jobs across the Wisconsin economy.
