New Report Shows Minnesota Job Numbers On The Rise, Despite Participation Rates Declining

A new report from the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) shows mixed results for the state’s unemployment and job growth rates in April.

According to the report, Minnesota gained 15,900 nonfarm jobs on a seasonally adjusted basis in April, representing the state’s largest over-the-month increase since March 2024. DEED Commissioner Matt Varilek partially credited the increase to a significantly smaller ICE presence throughout the state. Even so, Varilek noted that state labor force participation rates have declined for the fourth consecutive month.

Minnesota’s labor force participation rate dropped to 67.4 percent in April. That figure, however, remains well above the national rate of 61.8 percent. While the state’s job growth outpaced the nation’s with 115,000 jobs gained, Minnesota’s unemployment rate held steady at 4.5 percent, just above the national rate of 4.3 percent.

Seven of Minnesota’s supersectors saw job gains over the month. The largest increases came in Leisure and Hospitality, up 3,800 jobs, and Trade, Transportation and Utilities, up 3,100 jobs. Construction and Manufacturing also posted strong growth, adding 2,100 and 1,900 jobs, respectively.

“Jobs rebounded over the month in April, which is good news,” said DEED Labor Market Information Director Angelina Nguyen. “Minnesota’s labor force size and participation rate was and continues to be impacted by immigration policy as well as demographic shifts.”

A more detailed analysis of the report’s findings is available on the DEED website here.

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