Minnesota’s 14-month streak of job growth has ended after the December report shows unemployment ticking up.
According to Minnesota DEED, the private sector gained 900 jobs in December but 6,100 jobs were lost in local government jobs.
Minnesota’s unemployment rate ticked up two-tenths of a point to 2.5 percent in December, with a labor force participation rate remaining steady at 67.9 percent.
“Minnesota’s job growth took a holiday break in December, but the private sector grew and indicators point to a strong underlying economy,” said DEED Commissioner Steve Grove.
Inflation continues to outpace job growth, with average hourly earnings increasing by $3.28 or 10.2 percent over two years.
The consumer price index for all urban consumers, a common measure of inflation, rose 6.5 percent over the year and 13.9 percent over two years.
