by Nick Dobbins
June 2018
Monthly analysis is based on unadjusted employment data.
Employment in the Minneapolis-St. Paul MSA was up by 34,190 (1.7 percent) in May. This was the largest over-the-month increase of any MSA primarily in Minnesota (Grand Forks-East Grand Forks led MSAs with any Minnesota connection at 2.3 percent). However, statewide growth still outpaced the metro at 1.8 percent, suggesting strong employment growth in outstate areas as well. Mining, Logging, and Construction led the way by adding 11,320 jobs (15.3 percent). Leisure and Hospitality added 10,720 jobs (5.8 percent). Two supersectors lost jobs in May. Educational and Health Services lost 1,933 jobs (0.6 percent), with component Educational Services losing 953 jobs (4.2 percent) as employment tapered off for summer break. The other supersector to contract was Government, which lost 460 jobs (0.2 percent), thanks to a loss of 2,579 (6.1 percent) in State Government Educational Services. Over the year the metro area added 29,304 jobs (1.5 percent). The only supersector to lose jobs was the perpetually-troubled Information, which was off by 629 (1.7 percent). The supersector has showed over-the-year job losses for 11 consecutive months. The largest numerical employment gains came in Government (up 5,653 or 2.3 percent) and Manufacturing (up 5,257, 2.7 percent). The largest proportional increase was in Mining, Logging, and Construction, which was up by 3.3 percent (2,760 jobs).
The Duluth-Superior MSA added 1,141 jobs (0.8 percent) in May. The gains were concentrated in the private sector, which added 1,558 jobs (1.4 percent) while public sector employment dipped by 417 (1.5 percent). Leisure and Hospitality, unsurprisingly, showed the largest actual and proportional growth on the month, adding 921 jobs (6.6 percent). Annually the Duluth area added 1,298 jobs (0.9 percent). In a reversal from the over-the-month movement, Government employers had the largest gains on the year (actual and proportional), adding 895 jobs or 3.3 percent. State Government added 577 jobs (7.7 percent) while Local Government added 304 (1.7 percent). Manufacturing also had a strong 12 months, adding 207 jobs or 2.8 percent. Three supersectors lost jobs on the year: Professional and Business Services (down 101 jobs or 1.2 percent), Information (down 89, 6.3 percent), and Mining, Logging, and Construction (down 13, 0.1 percent).
The Rochester MSA added 1,669 jobs (1.4 percent) in May. Every supersector in the MSA grew on the month. Mining, Logging, and Construction had the largest proportional increase (up by 9.4 percent or 394 jobs), and Educational and Health Services added the most jobs (544, 1.1 percent). Annually Rochester lost 879 jobs (0.7 percent). It was the only MSA in Minnesota to lose jobs on an over-the-year basis. It was the second consecutive month of annual losses in the area, although the deficit has shrunk since April’s 0.9 percent over-the-year decline. Five supersectors had negative growth, with the most jobs lost in Educational and Health Services, which was down by 1,137 (2.3 percent). The largest proportional decline came in Mining, Logging, and Construction (off by 4.1 percent or 197 jobs).
Employment in the Saint Cloud MSA was up by 1,508 (1.4 percent) in May. Mining, Logging, and Construction added 1,050 jobs (16.8 percent). Trade, Transportation, and Utilities also had notable growth, adding 357 jobs or 1.6 percent, both of which were the second highest in the MSA. Over the year the Saint Cloud MSA added 1,779 jobs (1.6 percent), outpacing the state’s 1 percent annual growth. Educational and Health Services added 936 (4.3 percent), Manufacturing added 698 (4.6 percent), and Mining, Logging, and Construction added 408 (5.9 percent). The largest over-the-year losses came in Leisure and Hospitality employment, which was off by 413 (4.5 percent).
The Mankato-North Mankato MSA added 111 jobs (0.2 percent) in May. This was the lowest over-the-month growth of any MSA in the state. Private sector employers added 250 jobs (0.5 percent) while public sector employers shed 139 (1.4 percent). Goods Producers led the over-the-month growth, adding 287 jobs (2.8 percent). Annually the area added 1,286 jobs or 2.2 percent. This was the largest proportional over-the-year growth of any MSA in the state. The growth came entirely from the private sector, which added 1,319 jobs (2.7 percent) while public sector employers were losing 33 jobs (0.3 percent).
Employment in the Fargo-Moorhead MSA was up by 2,613 (1.9 percent) in May. Growth was led, on both a proportional and actual jobs basis, by the Mining, Logging, and Construction supersector which added 1,094 jobs, or 13.2 percent. The only supersector to contract in May was Information, which was off by 26 (0.9 percent). Annually the area added 648 jobs (0.5 percent). The plurality of those jobs were concentrated in Educational and Health Services, which was up by 837 (3.5 percent). Professional and Business Services lost 399 jobs (2.5 percent) on the year.
The Grand Forks-East Grand Forks MSA added 1,284 jobs (2.3 percent) in May. This was the largest proportional over-the-month increase of any Minnesota MSA. As expected, the gain was driven by two highly seasonal industries. Mining, Logging, and Construction added 491 jobs (18.5 percent) while Leisure and Hospitality added 699 (13 percent). Annually the MSA added 673 jobs (1.2 percent). Manufacturing employment was up by 293 (6.8 percent), and Educational and Health Services was up by 251 (8.2 percent). While three supersectors shed jobs, none lost more than 80 total.
