ST. PAUL, Minn. (KTTC) – According to data released by the Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) on Thursday, Minnesota employers added more than 4,000 jobs in the month of December. Along with that, the labor force grew by more than 3,000 jobseekers as well.

DEED said December was the sixth straight month where Minnesota was able to add more jobs, adding that the state accomplished this in 10 of the 12 months in 2024.

Minnesota’s unemployment rate also dipped in December, with it decreasing two-tenths of a percentage point to 3.3%. As for the state’s labor force participation rate, that remained steady at 67.8%.

“Employers continue to create good-paying jobs, and more Minnesotans are looking for work this month – two positive indicators for Minnesota’s economy,” DEED Commissioner Matt Varilek said. “Minnesota is also seeing high wages, surging exports and high-profile business expansions in key industries around the state. Our economy has momentum, and we’re planning to keep it going in 2025 through targeted workforce development investments and ongoing support for businesses looking to launch, expand and create jobs all over Minnesota.”

Over the course of 2024, DEED said that nearly 10,000 Minnesotans joined the labor force. In that time, the state gained nearly 37,500 payroll jobs, which is up1.3% compared to 1.4% nationally.

Labor Market Information Director Angelina Nguyen said she was glad to see the state do so well in December specifically, but that it’s a trend that needs to continue.

“There was positive news in this month’s report, including ongoing job growth, labor force gains and strong wages,” Nguyen said. What we want to see in the year ahead is continued steady growth in both the public and private sectors.”

Full state and national employment statistics, monthly job numbers, and further analysis of this month’s data is available on DEED’s website.

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