Rochester Area Job Market is Minnesota's Strongest

St. Paul, MN (KROC-AM News) - The latest jobs data from the state shows Rochester enjoys the strongest job growth rate in Minnesota.

The Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development says the Rochester area added more than 4300 jobs between February of last year and last month for a job growth rate of 3.6%. By comparison, the statewide job growth rate was 1.3% with the addition of about 37,500 jobs. The national job growth rate was 1.8%.

CSJ/TSM-Rochester

The monthly report shows Minnesota's seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was steady last month at 2.7%. It has been at that level for the past four consecutive months. A year ago, the statewide jobless rate was a tenth of a percentage point higher at 2.8%.

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(Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)

Minnesota's labor force participation rate dipped slightly last month to 67.9%. It marked the first time in two years that the rate has been below 68%.

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