The number of job vacancies remained high in Northeast Minnesota, with employers reporting just over 6,000 open positions in the fourth quarter of 2016. That was the fifth highest number ever posted in the region, down from the record peak of 8,410 vacancies in the fourth quarter of 2014 (Chart 1).

The median wage offer across all job vacancies was $12.47, which was also down compared to the $13.80 offer posted in the fourth quarter of 2015. Much of this was due to a shift in the type of vacancies posted.

For example, the percent of openings that were part-time jumped from 36 percent in 2015 to 56 percent in 2016, while the percent of vacancies that required post-secondary education dropped from 43 percent to 33 percent. Employers placed the same premium on prior work experience, with about one-third of openings requiring at least one year of experience in both 2015 and 2016.

The other noticeable drop in compensation for vacancies in 2016 showed up in the percent that provided health care benefits – just 41 percent offered health care in the fourth quarter of 2016, compared to 59 percent of openings in the fourth quarter of 2015.

Three industries offered health care benefits for almost all of their openings: mining, information, and finance and insurance; but combined, accounted for only 155 of the region’s total vacancies. Public Administration and Manufacturing both offered health care in about 80 percent of their job postings.

Job seekers looking for higher compensation will want to focus on industries that offer higher wages and health care benefits. The industries listed above, as well as professional and technical services, other services, health care and social assistance, and transportation and warehousing may have an easier time attracting candidates because of the combination of better wages and benefits (Table 1).

For More Information

For more about job vacancies in Northeast Minnesota, contact Erik White at erik.white@state.mn.us or 218-302-8413.