The presence of such industry powerhouses as Polaris, Arctic Cat and New Flyer make Northwest Minnesota a hub of transportation equipment manufacturing.
From wheat and potatoes to soybeans and sugar beets, the region is a major producer and processor of food staples and specialty agricultural products.
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12/4/2020 9:00:00 AM
Erik White
During the second quarter of 2020, employers in Northwest Minnesota reported a total of 12,180 job vacancies, down 6.5% from the previous year. Due to economic changes brought about by the coronavirus pandemic, this is the first survey period since 2017 when there are more unemployed workers than job vacancies (see Figure 1). However, Northwest Minnesota saw the smallest year-over-year decline of the 6 planning regions in the state. Statewide, vacancies dropped nearly 25% compared to the second quarter of 2019.
Despite the pandemic-related restrictions that initially impacted Retail Trade, Accommodation and Food Services, and Health Care and Social Assistance, those three industries actually saw an increase in job vacancies in the second quarter of 2020. In 2019, they combined for just over 7,800 job openings, or 60% of the 13,020 total vacancies in the region. This summer, the big three reported just over 8,050 job postings, now accounting for two-thirds of the openings (see Figure 2.)
Vacancies were also up in the region for Educational Services, Public Administration, and Transportation and Warehousing. In contrast, the number of openings dropped precipitously for Northwest Minnesota's distinguishing industries including Manufacturing, Wholesale Trade, Administrative Support and Waste Management, and Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing and Hunting. Combined, those four industries reported nearly 1,100 fewer postings.
After climbing 5.0% to nearly $15.00 per hour, the median wage offer provides more good news for job seekers in Northwest. Wage offers were higher in 11 of 20 industries, with important increases seen in the three industries with the most openings. Though still one of the lowest paying industries, wage offers were up 12% in Accommodation and Food Services to almost $14 per hour, the highest on record. Similarly, wage offers climbed to $13.86 in Arts, Entertainment & Recreation, and to $13.50 in Retail Trade, up just over $1 compared to 2019.
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