ST PAUL, Minn. — As Minnesotans shed their parkas and surface from winter hibernation, numbers show openings for seasonal job positions are already helping push the state's economy in a positive direction.
New data from the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) shows the state gained an estimated 11,000 jobs in March, with private sector employment opportunities going up .3% and an estimated 3,000 more people entering the state's labor force, increasing participation to 68%.
The report also revealed Minnesota's unemployment rate held steady at 2.7%
“It was a very strong month for these economic measures in Minnesota. Big job growth. Strong labor force growth. I’m always happy to see results like this and to note that our longer-term trends are strong as well,” said DEED Commissioner Matt Varilek.
According to DEED, five "supersectors" — among them leisure and hospitality; government; education and health services; and construction — helped boost last month's numbers on a seasonally adjusted basis. Further, state officials said six supersectors stayed steady or lost jobs, but maintains the losses were "small" in comparison to other large gains.
“Key labor market indicators are trending positive,” said DEED’s Labor Market Information Director Angelina Nguyễn. “In short, more people are employed, and wage growth is outpacing inflation.”
Year-to-date, DEED's data shows Minnesota has already gained 47,508 jobs — an increase of about 1.6%. State officials said that's just below the national employment growth rate of 1.9% so far this year. However, numbers show Minnesota still ranks among the lowest unemployment rates in the country, almost a full percentage lower than the national average of 3.8%.
"We are telling the story of Minnesota in a variety of other markets outside of Minnesota to invite people not only to visit here, but also to make their lives here and to join us in the labor force,” Varilek said.
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