Minnesota and national unemployment rates unchanged from March; state jobs growth rate outpaced U.S.



Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development Press Release


*For Immediate Release*




Mary Haugen

[email protected]




May 21, 2026

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Jobs Numbers Rebounded and Unemployment Rate Held Steady in April

"Minnesota and national unemployment rates unchanged from March; state jobs growth rate outpaced U.S."

*St. Paul, Minn.* — Minnesota gained 15,900 nonfarm jobs over-the-month (up 0.5%) on a seasonally adjusted basis in April – the state’s largest over-the-month increase since March 2024, according to data released today by the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED). The state’s job growth outpaced the U.S. growth rate (115,000 jobs gained, up 0.1%) while Minnesota’s unemployment rate (4.5%) and the U.S. rate (4.3%) both held steady in April.

“Minnesota jobs grew phenomenally over the month in April, which we partially attribute to a significantly smaller ICE presence in Minnesota,” said *DEED Commissioner Matt Varilek*. “That said, we continue to monitor labor force participation, which decreased four months in a row, and over-the-year job growth.”

Minnesota’s labor force participation rate ticked down two-tenths of a percentage point to 67.4% over the month – but remains well above the national labor force participation rate, which dropped one-tenth of a percentage point over the month to 61.8%.

Seven supersectors in Minnesota gained jobs on a seasonally adjusted basis over the month, while two supersectors were flat and two saw small declines. Trade, Transportation and Utilities (3,100 jobs, up 0.6%) and Leisure and Hospitality (3,800 jobs, up 1.4%) – which had both seen three consecutive months of decline to begin the year – were among the top gainers. Construction (2,100 jobs, up 1.4%) and Manufacturing (1,900 jobs, up 0.6%) also saw strong growth

Over the year, Minnesota gained 4,067 payroll jobs (up 0.1%). Five supersectors gained jobs, led by Education and Health Services (14,299 jobs, up 2.3%) and Construction (4,778 jobs, up 3.6%). Six supersectors lost jobs in Minnesota over the year, led by Trade, Transportation and Utilities (8,346 jobs, down 1.6%), Leisure and Hospitality (5,424 jobs, down 2.0%) and Financial Activities (4,304 jobs, down 2.3%). U.S. employment grew 0.2% over the year; five supersectors gained jobs and six lost jobs. 

At 32.7 hours per week, Minnesota’s April average work week decreased by two-tenths of an hour over the month and by one-tenth of an hour over the year. Nationally, the average work week decreased by four-tenths of an hour to 34.1 hours over the month and by one-tenth of an hour over the year.  

Calculating seasonally adjusted two-month job changes: 


* Minnesota lost 8,500 jobs in December-February, down 0.28%; the U.S. grew 0.00%. 
* Minnesota lost 6,400 jobs in January-March, down 0.21%; the U.S. grew 0.02%. 
* Minnesota gained 16,400 jobs in February-April, up 0.54%; the U.S. grew 0.20%. 

"Jobs rebounded over-the-month in April, which is good news,” said *Angelina Nguyen, DEED Labor Market Information director*. “Minnesota’s labor force size and participation rate was and continues to be impacted by immigration policy as well as demographic shifts.”

Visit the DEED website to view full state and national employment statistics [ [link removed] ], monthly jobs numbers [ [link removed] ] and further analysis of this month's data [ [link removed] ].  In addition, find related articles about job growth and labor market changes in the latest issue of Minnesota Employment Trends [ [link removed] ]. Access resources to help Minnesotans prepare for and find employment now at CareerForceMN. [ [link removed] ]

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"Upon request, this information can be made available in alternate formats for people with disabilities by contacting the DEED Communications Office at 651-259-7161."





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