May employment trends for 2026 saw Minnesota’s unemployment rate drop to 4.4% and the labor force participation also drop by two-tenths of a percentage point to 67.2%, compared to the national rate of 61.8%.
“It’s encouraging to see some progress amidst a mixed economic picture both in the state and the nation as a whole,” said DEED Deputy Commissioner Kevin McKinnon. “Minnesota continues to invest in upskilling our state’s workforce and attracting and supporting business growth to maintain a diverse, resilient economy amidst these challenging conditions.”
May 2026 – Unemployment
Year-over-year/Month-over-month comparison
- -0.1% from April 2026
- +0.7% from May 2025
Minnesota’s unemployment rate dropped to 4.4%, above the national rate of 4.3%, which remained steady. The state’s labor force participation rate ticked down two-tenths of a percentage point to 67.2%, compared to the national rate of 61.8%.
*Data from US Bureau of Labor Statistics
May 2026 – Jobs Gained
Jobs Gained & Industries Affected
- 2,400 Hospitality
- 2,100 Construction
- 1,700 Trade & Utilities
- 1,100 Education & Health
- 1,100 Other Services
“It’s a relief to see the unemployment rate and monthly jobs growth improve in May,” said Angelina Nguyen, DEED Labor Market Information director. “Wage and labor force growth have yet to reverse course.”
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