6/1/2018 11:22:17 AM
New study cites job-market strength, opportunity, and a healthy economy among top factors
ST. PAUL, MN – Minnesota is the third best state in the country to find a job, according to a new study conducted by WalletHub. The new study ranked all 50 states across 29 different indicators related to job-market strength, opportunity, and a healthy economy, with factors including average starting salary, job satisfaction, and unemployment rates taken into consideration.
“The credit for our state’s continued economic success belongs to the people of Minnesota,” said Governor Mark Dayton. “I thank the hardworking Minnesota business owners and employees who have made our state a great place for jobs, families, and a high quality of life.”
The study comes the same week as new data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, which shows that Minnesota now has more jobs than Wisconsin for the first time in recent history. The data further show that Minnesota has added more jobs than Wisconsin every year since 2010.
“With a job vacancy rate of 4.2 percent and a record high labor participation rate of 70.5 percent, Minnesota continues to be a competitive market for both employers and job seekers,” said Employment and Economic Development Commissioner Shawntera Hardy. “This ranking is a testament to our state’s robust and diverse economy that reaches across multiple industries and sectors.”
Minnesota scored most notably in the highest median annual income category, ranking third out of all 50 states. Below, see additional scoring for Minnesota in the new study:
· 3rd – Median Annual Income
· 4th – Job Market
· 9th – Monthly Average Starting Salary
· 9th – Avg. Length of Work Week (in Hours)
· 9th – Job Satisfaction
· 11th – Job Opportunities
· 13th – Unemployment Rate
Other Top Rankings
This new study follows other recent recognitions of Minnesota’s successes. Below, see some of Minnesota’s other top rankings from recent years.
#1 Best-Run State |
Minnesota is the best-run state in the nation, according to a study published by USA Today that cites Minnesota’s strong fiscal management, low unemployment and poverty rates, above-average median household income, and the state’s nearly perfect credit rating. Since ranking tenth in 2012, Minnesota has consistently climbed in the rankings under the same study, including ranking second last year.
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#1 Best State to Retire In |
Minnesota is the best state to retire, according to a study from AARP – the nation’s largest advocate for seniors. The study looked at affordability, housing, health care, quality of life, supports for family caregivers, and more.
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#1 Best State for Women |
Minnesota is the best state for women, according to a study from WalletHub. The study looked at women’s wages, health and safety, and economic and social well-being across all fifty states.
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#2 Best State for Families |
Minnesota is the #2 Best State to Raise a Family, according to a report from WalletHub. The study looked at family salaries, education opportunities, family fun, health and safety, affordability, employment rates, and more.
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#2 Best State Overall |
Minnesota is the #2 Best State in America, according to a study from U.S. News and World Report. The study cited economic opportunities, great educations, and quality health care in Minnesota.
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#2 Strongest State in the Nation
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Minnesota is the #2 Strongest State in the Union, according to a study issued by POLITICO. The annual analysis is based on 15 separate categories that demonstrate the educational attainment, quality of life, and economic health of each of the 50 states.
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#3 Best State for Business |
Minnesota is America’s #3 Best State for Business in 2017, according to a report released by CNBC. Minnesota moved into the third spot this year, after placing fourth in 2016 and coming in first as America’s Top State for Business in 2015.
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#3 Best State for Jobs |
Minnesota is the #3 Best State for Jobs, according to a study by WalletHub. The study cites Minnesota’s job-market strength, opportunities, and our healthy economy among its top factors.
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Minnesota is Much Better than It Was Before
When Governor Dayton took office, our economy was in crisis and our budget was a mess. Schools were under-funded, 202,000 people were out of work, and taxes unfairly favored the wealthy. Now our economy is strong, unemployment has reached a 17-year low, and our schools have seen historic new investments. Governor Dayton gave 2.3 million Minnesotans tax cuts, and raised income taxes on only the richest 2 percent of Minnesotans to pay for needed investments in a Better Minnesota.
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THEN (January 2011) |
NOW (May 2018) |
Better Economy |
Unemployment was at 6.9% and 202,000 people were out of work
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Lowest unemployment in 17yrs (3.2%), 286K new jobs, and 3rd-best state for business
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Better Education |
$2 billion in school debt, stagnant K-12 funding, and no early learning programs |
All school debt repaid, $2 billion more invested in E-12 education, and 80K kids enrolled in all-day K and preK per year
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Better Budget |
Over $6 billion deficit and nothing in the Reserves
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Nine forecasted budget surpluses and $1.95 billion in cash and Reserves |
Better Taxes |
Unfair taxes that favored the wealthy, at the expense of everyone else
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2% tax increase on the top 2%, and cut taxes for 2.3 million low-and middle-income people |
Better on Equity |
Unemployment for black Minnesotans was 23.5%; 8% of state employees were people of color the state did not do enough to extend contract opportunities to diverse businesses; 4.3% of state employees with disabilities |
Unemployment for black Minnesotans is lowest on-record at 6.8% (still too high); Unemployment for Hispanic Minnesotans is 3.3% (still too high); 12% of state employees are people of color (still too low) and 19% of new hires last year were people of color; state contracts with businesses of color, women, and veterans have increased 89% since 2015; 6.9% of state workers are people with disabilities (still too low)
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