Minnesota employers added jobs for the fourth straight month, up 3,900 jobs from March to April on a seasonally adjusted basis, with the private sector gaining 5,500 jobs, according to information released today by the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED). Minnesota has gained jobs 10 out of the last 12 months.

Minnesota's labor force increased by 3,710 people over the month and the labor force participation rate stayed at 68.0%. Minnesota's unemployment rate also remained steady at 2.7%, where it's held for six months. Nationally, the unemployment rate ticked up one-tenth of a percentage point to 3.9% and the labor force participation rate stayed at 62.7%.

"The numbers released today reinforce that Minnesota's economy remains strong," said DEED Commissioner Matt Varilek. "Continued job growth and labor force growth are excellent indicators for Minnesota. We'll continue to focus on making Minnesota a great place to work, live and raise a family."

Minnesota outpaced the nation in private sector job growth over the month. Minnesota was up 0.1% over the month in overall job growth and up 0.2% in private sector job growth. The U.S. total nonfarm employment increased by 0.1% and the U.S. private sector was also up 0.1%.

Over the month, seven supersectors in Minnesota gained jobs on a seasonally adjusted basis. The top gainers were Financial Activities up 1,800 jobs, Manufacturing up 1,300 jobs and Construction up 1,100 jobs. Four supersectors lost jobs over the month, with the biggest decline in Government, down 1,600 jobs.

"We usually see about half of Minnesota's supersectors lose jobs and the other half gains jobs each month," said DEED's Labor Market Information Director Angelina Nguyễn. "It's a positive indicator that in April we saw more supersectors gain rather than lose jobs."

Over the year, Minnesota gained 44,507 payroll jobs, up 1.5%. The private sector gained 23,889 jobs, up 0.9% over the year. Seven supersectors posted positive annual growth, with Education & Health Services seeing the biggest growth, up 25,018 jobs and Government next, up 20,618 jobs. Four supersectors lost jobs over the year, with Professional & Business Services seeing the biggest decline, down 10,196 jobs. Overall U.S. employment grew 1.8% over the year with the private sector up 1.7%. All U.S. supersectors saw job growth over the year except Information.

Regionally, job growth in the Rochester Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) continued its strong streak, with over the year growth of 4,357 jobs, up 3.5%. The Minneapolis-St. Paul MSA had the biggest job growth by numbers, up 21,168 jobs or 1.1% over the year.

Average hourly wages for all private sector workers in Minnesota increased 33 cents over the month to $37.13 in April. Over the year average hourly earnings increased $1.25, up 3.5%, slightly outpacing inflation. The Consumer Price Index, a common measure of inflation, was up 3.4% over the year in April.

Visit the DEED website to view state and national employment statistics, monthly jobs numbers and data. You can also find alternative measures of unemployment. In addition, find related articles about job growth and labor market changes in the latest issue of Minnesota Employment Trends. Access resources to help Minnesotans prepare for and find employment now at CareerForceMN.com.