Minnesota Adds Thousands of Jobs in January

(KNSI) – An estimated 3,000 jobs were created in Minnesota in January, marking the ninth positive month out of the last twelve.

The Department of Employment and Economic Development says wages are soaring too, up 5% over the year, which is well above inflation as measured by the Consumer Price Index (3.1%). The average hourly salary is $37.46. The monthly job growth on a percentage basis was below the national trend, but Minnesota continues to have a lower unemployment rate and higher labor force participation rate than the country as a whole.

The fastest-growing sector was education and health services, with 2,600 hires. Trade, Transportation, and Utilities jumped by 1,100 positions.

The department says it is focusing on training for five high-growth career fields to ensure that job seekers have the skills necessary to get hired in a tight job market.

Commissioner Matt Varilek says, “During our tight labor market, DEED’s workforce development programs help prepare more Minnesotans to enter high-demand employment with family-sustaining wages.”

The Drive for 5 initiative deals specifically with health care, education, manufacturing, technology and the trades.

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