Minneapolis-St. Paul, MN – December 2023 Jobs Report: Steady Gains amid Shifting Landscape

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The December 2023 jobs report for Minneapolis-St. Paul paints a picture of continued job growth, tempered by potential adjustments in specific sectors. While the unemployment rate remained low, indicating a competitive market, certain industries displayed slower hiring compared to past months. Understanding these shifts could be crucial for job seekers and employers alike.

Highlights:

  • Low unemployment persists: The rate held steady at 2.2%, signifying a tight labor market with readily available opportunities.
  • Job growth maintains pace: Nonfarm jobs added 3,107 positions, reaching 2,205,859, marking a moderate increase but lower than previous months’ momentum.
  • Professional and Business Services lead the charge: This sector added 800 jobs, potentially reflecting expansion in areas like finance, consulting, or technology. Accountants, marketing specialists, and IT professionals could see opportunities.

What Industries and Occupations Grew:

  • Professional and Business Services: This industry added 800 jobs, encompassing areas like finance, consulting, and technology. Accountants, marketing specialists, and IT professionals might benefit.
  • Trade, Transportation, and Utilities: This sector added 450 jobs, potentially tied to growth in warehousing, trucking, and retail trade. Warehouse supervisors, truck drivers, and retail salespersons could be in demand.
  • Manufacturing: This sector added 20 jobs, showcasing stability in areas like medical devices or food processing. Production workers in these fields could hold potential opportunities.

What Industries and Occupations Shrank:

  • Information: This sector lost 20 jobs, potentially due to consolidation or automation in data processing or telecommunications fields.
  • Leisure and Hospitality: This sector held steady, maintaining its existing job count, but slower growth compared to previous months suggests potential adjustments in the tourism and hospitality industry.

Compare to Same Month Last Year:

  • Unemployment rate: Lower than 2.5% in December 2022, highlighting a minor improvement in the labor market.
  • Nonfarm job growth: Lower than the 21,954 jobs added in December 2022, showcasing a deceleration in hiring.

Compare to Previous Month:

  • Unemployment rate: Unchanged from November 2023, indicating stability in the labor market.
  • Nonfarm job growth: Lower than the 10,909 jobs added in November 2023, showcasing a further slowdown in hiring.

Future Outlook:

Experts offer cautiously optimistic predictions for the Minneapolis-St. Paul job market in 2024. The low unemployment rate, despite slower growth, suggests potential resilience. However, monitoring national economic trends and potential adjustments in specific sectors like leisure and hospitality is crucial. Professional services, trade and transportation, and manufacturing might offer opportunities, while some areas might see shifts.

10 Growing Occupations in Minneapolis-St. Paul, MN:

  1. Registered Nurses
  2. Customer Service Representatives
  3. Software Developers and Applications Developers
  4. Marketing Specialists
  5. Sales Representatives
  6. Accountants and Auditors
  7. Truck Drivers
  8. Financial Analysts
  9. Teachers
  10. Construction Laborers

10 Companies Hiring Now in Minneapolis-St. Paul, MN:

  1. Target Corporation
  2. UnitedHealth Group
  3. Mayo Clinic
  4. US Bank
  5. Optum
  6. General Mills
  7. Cargill
  8. Medtronic
  9. Wells Fargo
  10. Target Corporation

Sources: