Construction among leaders as Minnesota adds 11K jobs

Brian Johnson//April 18, 2024//

Minnesota added 2,700 construction jobs in March, according to new numbers released by the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development. This July 2019 photo shows an Xcel Energy crew replacing a gas line running under Sibley Street in downtown St. Paul. (File photo: Bill Klotz)

A July 2019 photo shows an Xcel Energy crew replacing a gas line running under Sibley Street in downtown St. Paul

Brian Johnson//April 18, 2024//

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Minnesota added 11,000 jobs in March on the strength of gains in construction and four other key sectors.

The seasonally adjusted numbers, released Thursday by the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development, reveal solid monthly growth in Leisure & Hospitality (up 5,000 jobs), Government (up 3,000), Education & Health Services (up 2,800) and Construction (up 2,700).

During the past month, “six supersectors stayed steady or lost jobs, but the losses were small in comparison to the large gains in other sectors,” according to DEED.

Minnesota’s labor force increased by an estimated 3,000 people over the month, DEED said, adding that the labor force participation rate ticked up one-tenth of a percent to 68.0% while the unemployment rate remained at 2.7%.

“March was a great month all around for Minnesota employers and workers,” DEED Commissioner Matt Varilek said in a statement. “Our strong job and labor force growth shows that Minnesota’s economy continues to provide great opportunities for Minnesota residents as well as those who would like to call Minnesota home.”

Angelina Nguyễn, DEED’s Labor Market information director, said “key labor market indicators are trending positive. In short, more people are employed, and wage growth is outpacing inflation.”

From March 2023 to March 2024, Minnesota gained 47,508 jobs, a 1.6% increase from the previous year, DEED said. Among regions, the Rochester area leads the state with 3,984 jobs added, a 3.3% increase.