by Nick Dobbins
March 2023
Monthly analysis is based on seasonally adjusted employment data.
Yearly analysis is based on unadjusted employment data.
Minnesota employers added 10,100 jobs (0.3%) over the month in February on a seasonally adjusted basis. The state has added more than 10,000 jobs in each of the first two months of 2023, totaling 24,300 jobs. Private sector employment was up by 9,400 (0.4%) in February.
Over the year Minnesota employers added 65,195 jobs (2.3%). Private sector employers added 55,446 jobs (2.3%) while public sector employment was up 9,749 jobs (2.4%). Goods producers added 11,598 jobs (2.7%), and service providers added 53,597 (2.2%).
Employment in the Mining and Logging supersector was off by 200 (3.1%) over the month in February, the largest proportional growth of any supersector.
In contrast, Mining and Logging employers lost 104 jobs or 1.7% over the year. It was the only supersector in the state to lose jobs in February. The supersector posted negative annual growth in each of the last nine months of 2022. Growth briefly flattened out in January before dipping back into the negative.
Construction employers added 2,200 jobs (1.7%) over the month in February, which follows the 2.5% growth in January. After posting negative growth in each of the last five months of 2022, adding up to a 4,900-job decline, the supersector added back 5,400 jobs in just the past two months.
On an annual basis Construction employers added 4,905 jobs or 4.3%. It was the second largest proportional growth rate for any supersector, trailing only Leisure and Hospitality. All three published component sectors posted annual growth, led by Heavy and Civil Engineering's 8% (or 860 job) expansion.
Employment in Manufacturing was up by 1,500 (0.5%) in February. Both Durable Goods and Non-Durable Goods Manufacturing added 500 jobs, up 0.5% and 0.4%, respectively.
Over the year Manufacturing employers added 6,797 jobs or 2.1%. Durable Goods Manufacturing added 5,413 jobs (2.7%) with Wood Product Manufacturing up 4.8% (590 jobs). Non-Durable Goods Manufacturing added 1,384 jobs (1.2%), although the only published component sector, Food Manufacturing, was up 2.6% (1,206 jobs).
Trade, Transportation, and Utilities employers added 500 jobs (0.1%) over the month of February. Retail Trade added 1,500 jobs (0.5%), while Wholesale Trade lost 700 (0.5%), and Transportation, Warehousing, and Utilities lost 300 (0.3%).
On an annual basis employers in Trade, Transportation, and Utilities added 6,063 jobs or 1.2%. with positive growth in all three major component sectors. Retail Trade was up 1,834 (0.7%), Wholesale Trade was up 1,190 (0.9%), and Transportation, Warehousing, and Utilities added 3,039 (2.7%).
Employment in Information was flat in February, holding at 46,200 jobs after losing 600 jobs (1.3%) in January.
Over the year Information employers added 1,123 jobs or 2.5%. After being on a long-term trend of negative growth since the early 2000s, the supersector has posted annual growth of greater than 2% for 17 consecutive months, dating back to October of 2021.
Financial Activities employers held steady at 191,400 employees in February as Real Estate and Rental and Leasing added 100 jobs (0.3%), and Finance and Insurance lost 100 jobs (0.1%).
Over the year the supersector added 163 jobs (0.1%) with slightly more component volatility. Finance and Insurance lost 767 jobs (0.5%), and Real Estate and Rental and Leasing added 930 jobs (2.7%).
Employment in Professional and Business Services was up 1,300 (0.3%) in February. The growth was driven primarily by Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services, which added 1,700 jobs (1%) as Management of Companies added 200 jobs (0.2%), and Administrative and Support and Waste Management lost 600 jobs (0.4%).
Over the year Professional and Business Services employers added 2,534 jobs (0.7%). Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services added 5,233 jobs (3.2%) while Management of Companies lost 423 jobs (0.5%), and Administrative and Support and Waste Management lost 2,276 jobs (1.8%). Employment Services was off by 2,211 or 3.7% over the year.
Educational and Health Services employers added 1,000 jobs (0.2%) over the month of February. Health Care and Social Assistance added 2,600 jobs (0.5%) while Educational Services lost 600 (0.4%).
Over the year the supersector added 12,478 jobs (2.3%). Educational Services lost 3,786 jobs (5%) while Health Care and Social Assistance added 16,264 jobs (3.4%). Employment in Nursing and Residential Care Facilities was up by 3,869 jobs or 3.9% on the year, continuing its steady over-the-year improvement.
Leisure and Hospitality employment was up by 1,300 (0.5%) in February. Accommodation and Food Services added 1,000 jobs (0.5%) while Arts, Entertainment, and Recreation added 300 jobs (0.6%).
Over the year Leisure and Hospitality employers added 19,737 jobs or 8.4%. It remained the largest proportional growth of any supersector in the state, a position it has held for much of the recovery period. Arts, Entertainment, and Recreation was up 7,660 (20.3%), and Accommodation and Food Services was up 12,077 (6.1%).
Employment in Other Services was up 1,800 (1.7%) over the month in February. The supersector has added 2,300 jobs so far in 2023 after posting negative growth in each of the last three months of 2022.
On an annual basis Other Services employers added 1,750 jobs (1.7%). Religious, Grantmaking, Civic, and Professional Organizations added 1,470 jobs (2.6%), and Personal and Laundry Services added 938 jobs (3.7%), while Repair and Maintenance employers lost 658 jobs (3%).
Government employers added 700 jobs (0.2%) in February, with slight positive growth at each of the three levels of government. Public sector employers have posted positive growth in five of the last six months.
Over the year the supersector added 9,749 jobs or 2.4%. Local Government employment drove the growth, adding 9,053 jobs or 3.3%, while Federal employers added 295 jobs (0.9%), and State Government added 401 jobs (0.4%), with State Government Educational Services down 720 (1.2%).
| Minnesota Seasonally Adjusted Nonagricultural Wage and Salary Employment (In Thousands) | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Industry | Feb-23 | Jan-23 | Dec-22 |
| Total Nonfarm | 2983 | 2972.9 | 2958.7 |
| Goods-Producing | 470.5 | 467 | 463.2 |
| Mining and Logging | 6.3 | 6.5 | 6.5 |
| Construction | 135.3 | 133.1 | 129.9 |
| Manufacturing | 328.9 | 327.4 | 326.8 |
| Service-Providing | 2512.5 | 2505.9 | 2495.5 |
| Trade, Transportation, and Utilities | 532.5 | 532 | 529.2 |
| Information | 46.2 | 46.2 | 46.8 |
| Financial Activities | 191.4 | 191.4 | 192.9 |
| Professional and Business Services | 391.3 | 390 | 384 |
| Educational and Health Services | 559.6 | 558.6 | 557.7 |
| Leisure and Hospitality | 269.4 | 268.1 | 268.4 |
| Other Services | 107.7 | 105.9 | 105.4 |
| Government | 414.4 | 413.7 | 411.1 |
| Source: Department of Employment and Economic Development, Current Employment Statistics, 2023. | |||
