Minnesota Jobs and Labor Force Grow in November

St. Paul, MN – Minnesota added 2,500 jobs and its labor force grew by more than 4,600 workers in November, according to data released today by the Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED). Minnesota has added jobs nine of the last 12 months.

Minnesota’s unemployment rate increased one-tenth of a percentage point to 3.5%, lower than the national rate of 4.2%, which also rose at the same rate. The labor force participation rate rose one-tenth of a percentage point to 67.8% over the month, compared to 62.5% nationally – a decline over the month before.

“November was another strong month for Minnesota’s jobs market. Employers added staff, and more Minnesotans started looking for work,” said DEED Commissioner Matt Varilek. “As we look to the new year, DEED will work with our private sector, nonprofit and government partners to build on this positive labor market momentum.”

Four supersectors in Minnesota gained jobs on a seasonally adjusted basis, led by strong gains in Construction (up 2,800 jobs, or 2.1%), a reversal of four prior months of seasonally adjusted job losess . Education and Health Services (up 4,900 jobs), Government (800 jobs) and Other Services (400 jobs) also added employees. Six supersectors lost jobs over the month, led by Professional & Business Services (down 1,900 jobs or 0.5%).

“Minnesota’s labor market is balancing out,” said DEED Labor Market Information Director Angelina Nguyen. “More Minnesotans are working, looking for work or simply want to work, and there are good jobs available for them in industries across our economy.”

Over the year, Minnesota gained 33,458 payroll jobs, up 1.1%. The private sector gained 16,169 jobs, up 0.6%.

Wages in Minnesota continue to impress. Over the year, average hourly private sector earnings increased 5.4%, double the rate of inflation. Nationally, private sector wages grew 4.1% over the year.