By Nick Dobbins
February 2022
Employment in the Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington MSA was off by 1.6% (30,336 jobs) over the month in January on an unadjusted basis. Losses of this magnitude are common in January, as seasonal December increases roll back. The largest real and proportional monthly loss came in Trade, Transportation, and Utilities, which lost 13,146 jobs (3.7%) in large part because of the decline of 7,370 (4%) in Retail Trade. The largest growth came in Manufacturing which added 902 job or 0.5%.
Over the year the metro area added 49,731 jobs or 2.7%. Leisure and Hospitality added 32,377 jobs (26.5%), Other Services added 5,119 (7.5%), and Manufacturing added 8,875 (4.6%). Three supersectors lost jobs on the year. Trade, Transportation, and Utilities was off by 2,598 (0.8%) despite the gain of 3,224 jobs (4.4%) in Transportation, Warehousing, and Utilities. Educational and Health Services lost 1,136 jobs (0.3%) entirely caused by the loss of 2,958 jobs (1%) in Health Care and Social Assistance, which has had highly publicized difficulties filling vacancies. Financial Activities lost 3,550 jobs (2.2%), with the declines entirely in the Finance and Insurance component.
The Duluth-Superior MSA lost 1,929 jobs (1.5%) over the month in January. Every published supersector lost jobs on the year. The largest real and proportional declines came in Trade, Transportation, and Utilities, which shed 650 jobs (2.6%) with declines in all three component sectors. Mining, Logging, and Construction lost 228 jobs (2.4%), and Government employers lost 520 jobs (2.1%) with all three levels of government posting monthly declines.
Over the year the Duluth area added 4,394 jobs or 3.5%, which was ahead of the statewide growth of 2.7%. Leisure and Hospitality remained the primary driver, adding 2,819 jobs (27.4%). Mining, Logging, and Construction added 879 jobs (10.3%), and Other Services added 432 jobs (8%). Two supersectors lost jobs on the year, with Government employment off by 2.4% (587 jobs) and Educational and Health Services off by 0.8% (249 jobs).
The Rochester MSA lost 970 jobs (0.8%) over the month in January, which was in line with the usual January movement. Every supersector in the area posted negative monthly growth, with the largest declines coming in Trade, Transportation, and Utilities (down 235 jobs or 1.4%), Mining, Logging, and Construction (down 180 jobs or 3.6%), and Educational and Health Services (down 340 jobs or 0.6%).
Over the year the Rochester area added 4,131 jobs or 3.5%. Leisure and Hospitality drove the growth, adding 2,033 jobs or 24.8%. Educational and Health Services added 956 jobs or 1.8%, which ran counter to the larger statewide movement in the supersector where it was off by 0.4% overall. Three supersectors posted negative annual job growth. Manufacturing lost 324 jobs (3.3%), Information lost 133 jobs (10%), and Financial Activities lost 28 jobs (1%).
The St. Cloud MSA lost 1,122 jobs (1%) over the month in January. It was the best monthly performance of any MSA primarily in Minnesota, slightly trailing Grand Forks-East Grand Forks. Government employers added 115 jobs (0.8%), with all of that growth coming at the State Government level. The largest declines were in the highly seasonal Mining, Logging, and Construction (down 353 jobs or 4.8%) and Trade, Transportation, and Utilities (down 350 jobs or 1.6%).
Over the year the St. Cloud area added 3,645 jobs (3.6%), outpacing the state's 2.7% over-the-year growth. Leisure and Hospitality added 1,366 jobs (22.3%), and Mining, Logging, and Construction added 843 (13.8%). Financial Activities was the only supersector to lose jobs on the year (down 6 or 0.1%).
The Mankato-North Mankato MSA lost 819 jobs (1.5%) over the month in January. Private sector employers lost 1,124 jobs (2.4%) while their counterparts in the public sector added 305 (3.2%).
Over the year the Mankato-North Mankato MSA added 967 jobs (1.8%). Goods producers added 436 jobs (4.6%), and service providers added 531 (1.2%).
The Fargo-Moorhead MSA lost 3,598 jobs or 2.5% over the month in January. It was the worst proportional job growth of any MSA in Minnesota. Mining, Logging, and Construction employment was down 790 jobs or 8.5%, the lowest real and proportional mark of any supersector in the region. Trade, Transportation, and Utilities employers shed 790 jobs (2.5%).
Over the year the Fargo-Moorhead area added 3,972 jobs or 2.9%. Leisure and Hospitality employers added 1,391 jobs (12.2%). Manufacturing was up 445 or 4.5%. Three supersectors lost jobs on the year. Information lost 155 jobs (5.2%), and Financial Activities lost 350 (3%).
The Grand Forks-East Grand Forks MSA lost 429 jobs or 0.8%, the best over-the-month mark of any MSA in Minnesota. Professional and Business Services employers added 164 jobs (4.2%). Trade, Transportation, and Utilities employment was down 258 or 2.5%.
Over the year the MSA added 2,044 jobs (4.1%), also the best mark in the state. Leisure and Hospitality added 1,053 jobs (22.8%), and Professional and Business Services added 794 (24.4%).
