St. Paul, Minn. – Minnesota added 13,200 jobs in June – the third consecutive month of strong gains following losses seen during Operation Metro Surge from January through March – while U.S. jobs growth was flat (57,000 jobs, 0.0%). Minnesota's unemployment rate held at 4.4% while the U.S. unemployment rate ticked down one-tenth of a percentage point to 4.2%, according to data released today by the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED).

"Last month's job gains are good news for Minnesota workers and businesses," said DEED Commissioner Matt Varilek. "To build on that momentum, we need to continue to address the steady decline in our labor force by helping more people enter and return to the workforce."

The state's labor force participation rate ticked down two-tenths of a percentage point to 67% over the month; the seventh consecutive month of declines. The national rate ticked down three-tenths of a percentage point to 61.5%. At 3.5% in June, the CPI inflation index outpaced state and national wage growth rates for the second consecutive month.

BY THE NUMBERS:

• Minnesota's unemployment rate held at 4.4% in June 2026; the U.S. unemployment rate dropped one-tenth of a percentage point to 4.2%.
• Minnesota gained 13,200 jobs over-the-month, or 0.4%. The private sector gained 14,600 jobs.
• The U.S. over-the-month total employment increased by 57,000 jobs, or 0.0%.
• Over the year, Minnesota total jobs grew 1.7%. The private sector grew 1.8% over the year.
• During the Walz-Flanagan administration from 2019 to present, about 95,000 jobs were created, a 3.2% increase. The number of business establishments in MN grew more than 35,600. And average weekly wages grew $334 under this administration, an increase of almost 30%.

Five Minnesota supersectors gained jobs on a seasonally adjusted basis since May, including: Educational and Health Services (7,800 jobs, up 1.2%), Professional & Business Services (3,500 jobs, or 1.0%), Manufacturing (2,800 jobs, up 0.9%), Leisure and Hospitality (2,700 jobs, up 1.0%) and Other Services (1,300 jobs, up 1.1%).

The Mining & Logging and Financial Activities supersectors showed no change. Four supersectors lost jobs over the month: Trade, Transportation and Utilities (2,000 jobs, down 0.4%), Government (1,400 jobs, down 0.3%), Construction lost 1,100 jobs, down 0.7% and Information lost 400 jobs, down 1.0%.

Over the year, Minnesota saw an increase of 51,132 payroll jobs (up 1.7%), while U.S. employment grew 0.3%. Eight supersectors in Minnesota gained jobs, led by Education and Health Services (30,512 jobs, up 5.1%), Construction (8,474 jobs, up 5.5%) and Manufacturing (7,115 jobs, up 2.2%). Three supersectors lost jobs, led by Financial Activities (5,820 jobs, down 3.1%) and Trade, Transportation, and Utilities (3,717 jobs, down 0.7%).

At 32.8 hours per week, Minnesota's June average work week increased one-tenth of an hour over-the-month and decreased two-tenths of an hour over-the-year. Nationally, the average work week held again at 34.2 hours over-the-month and decreased four-tenths of an hour over the year.

"This month's data continues to paint a mixed picture," said Angelina Nguyen, DEED Labor Market Information director. "It's good news to see job growth, but labor force and wage growth continue to decline."

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