By Mark Schultz
June 2020
The population in Minnesota is aging with Baby Boomers moving into higher age brackets. According to the Minnesota State Demographic Center the number of residents between the ages of 75 to 84 are projected to increase by 87.3 percent (231,580 people) while those aged 85 and older are anticipated to grow by 77.3 percent (101,642 people) over the next 20 years. Undoubtedly, there are greater health concerns for older populations. For example, individuals ages 65 and over see higher incidences of heart attacks and strokes, as well as developing heart disease according to the National Institute on Aging. The onset of COVID-19 has made health issues much more complicated, especially among the elderly who are more susceptible to succumbing to the virus. Luckily, there are many individuals employed as Registered Nurses, Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses, and Nursing Assistants throughout the state to help anyone, not just the elderly, who is dealing with a medical condition.
There are about 71,000 Registered Nurses in the State of Minnesota, making up over one-third (37.2 percent) of the total employment in Healthcare Practitioners and Technical occupations. There are also 15,210 Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses in the state, accounting for an additional 8 percent of the total employment in Healthcare Practitioners and Technical occupations, and 30,350 people employed as Nursing Assistants, which makes up 18.6 percent of the total employment in the Healthcare Support occupational group (see Table 1).
Table 1. Minnesota Nursing Occupational Employment Statistics (2nd Qtr. 2020)| Occupation | Employment | Wage Percentiles | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th | ||
| Registered Nurses | 71,000 | $27.72 | $32.66 | $38.16 | $45.62 | $51.00 |
| Licensed Practical & Licensed Vocational Nurses | 15,210 | $18.91 | $20.91 | $23.40 | $26.60 | $29.54 |
| Nursing Assistants | 30,350 | $13.36 | $14.90 | $17.12 | $19.29 | $22.12 |
| Source: DEED Occupational Employment Statistics | ||||||
Median wage offers are also shown in Table 1, with Registered Nurses having the highest median hourly wage of the three occupations at $38.16. However, half of those employed as Registered Nurses earn between $32.66 and $45.62. The median wages for Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses rests at $23.40 with half earning between $20.91 and $26.60 and at $17.12 for Nursing Assistants with half earning between $14.90 and $19.29.
All three of these healthcare occupations are in high demand in the State of Minnesota, all listed among the top 20 in demand occupations. Both Registered Nurses and Nursing Assistants sit in the top 10, with Registered Nurses ranked the highest in demand occupation in the state (see Table 2).
Table 2. Nursing Occupations Demand in Minnesota| Job Title | Current Demand Rank | Current Demand Indicator | Projected 10-year Growth Rate | Projected 10-year Openings | Education Requirements | Training Requirements |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurses | 1 | ★ ★★★★ | 11.1% | 42,029 | Associate's degree | None |
| Nursing Assistants | 7 | ★ ★★★★ | 5.8% | 39,285 | Postsecondary non-degree award | None |
| Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses | 16 | ★ ★★★★ | 12.3% | 15,402 | Postsecondary non-degree award | None |
| Source: DEED Occupations in Demand | ||||||
The aging population and an uncertain future caused by COVID-19 make one thing certain – nursing professions, such as Registered Nurses, Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses, and Nursing Assistants, are going to remain in high demand.
