Twin Cities Job Market
According to the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development, the state had the strongest job growth in 2006 than in any year since 1999. An approximate increase of over one million jobs were created in the last ten years as a result of economic growth, openings from workers retiring, and new businesses in the area. This is all great news for those seeking new jobs - especially in the high-demand fields of health care, construction trades, computers and technical professions, social services, and retail.
With the Twin Cities region containing more than half of the state of Minnesota's population, the Minneapolis-Saint Paul job market remains strong. In addition to government and private-sector job growth, the area has seen a tremendous growth in the number and expansion of small businesses.
The Twin Cities recently ranked in the "10 Best Markets for Small Business" based on a study by the American City Business Journal. The study viewed a small business as a company with 99 or fewer employees and touted Minneapolis-Saint Paul as having a large concentration of small businesses and remarkable pay levels.
The Twin Cities region enjoys a younger labor pool compared to other US cities with an approximate median age of 32. A younger workforce means more energy and a longer lifespan for the already bustling Twin Cities economy. Not surprisingly, a large percentage of the workforce holds a bachelor's degree or higher.
Relatively high pay levels, modern amenities, and the availability of affordable housing are effective in attracting recent college grads and younger families to the area. Large and small companies alike are blessed with the economic strength and diversity of Minneapolis-Saint Paul as well as the energetic and talented workforce available.