Rochester, Minnesota Sees Significant Job Growth This Year

ROCHESTER, Minn. (KTTC) – The Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development has reported strong job and labor force growth in the state this year. In May alone, Minnesota added 6,600 jobs, with Rochester leading the way in employment growth compared to 2024.

Ryan Parsons, president of the Rochester Chamber of Commerce, announced that Rochester has added around 5,700 jobs over the past year, marking a 4.5% increase. “The Rochester Region is an outstanding place to not only start your career but continue it and finish it,” Parsons said.

Parsons highlighted that key industries contributing to this growth include health care, primarily driven by the Mayo Clinic and Olmsted Medical Center, as well as education, trades, and hospitality sectors. He believes ongoing developments at Mayo Clinic will further boost job creation in the area.

The updated job data from the state shows that while job growth slowed modestly in the area last month, Rochester’s growth rate remains much higher than in other parts of Minnesota. The previous month, the area added nearly 6,400 jobs, maintaining a growth rate of about 5%.

In contrast, other metro areas reported job growth rates all below 1%. For instance, the statewide annualized job growth rate was 1.3%, reflecting a net gain of about 40,200 jobs over the past year. The national average stood modestly lower at 1.1%.

Despite the job gains, Minnesota’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate slightly rose by a tenth of a point from April to May, as the labor force increased by approximately 2,300 people. The state’s labor force participation rate remained steady at 68.2%.

In summary, the job market in Rochester continues to grow significantly, signaling a positive trend for job seekers in the region.