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Minnesota Job Vacancy Key Findings

Job vacancies are current positions that employers are looking to fill. They are a measure of the demand for workers.

Knowing about job vacancies can help you target your job search.

How many job vacancies are there?

According to the most recent Minnesota Job Vacancies Survey (October-December 2009):

  • Jobseekers are competing for fewer employment opportunities compared to last year: job vacancies in the state are down by 16.7 percent from one year ago, for a total of 25,885 vacancies.
  • About 58 percent of all job vacancies (15,000) are located in the Twin Cities Seven County Metro Area, while the remaining 10,850 are in Greater Minnesota. For more information about job vacancies in a specific Economic Development Region, explore regional findings.
  • There was just one job vacancy for every 100 filled positions in the state. During the same period there were 8.6 unemployed people for each vacancy statewide. One year ago, there were about 5.6 unemployed people for each vacancy. This increase in the number of unemployed compared to the number of vacancies indicates that the labor market is the least favorable for job seekers since the year 2000.

Where is the greatest need for workers?

Follow the links below to ISEEK pages where you can find more information such as occupation descriptions, average wages, education requirements, and more.

Occupation groups with the most vacancies

Sales and related

Office and administrative support

Healthcare support

Food preparation and serving related

What kind of education and experience do new jobs require?

  • Forty-four percent of reported job vacancies require post-secondary education— a vocational degree or certificate, a two-year degree, a bachelor's degree, or an advanced degree. The remaining jobs require a high school diploma or less.
  • Thirty-five percent of jobs call for experience specifically related to the position.
  • As education and experience requirements increase, so do the wage rates offered, on average.

View Job Vacancy Survey by Occupation to find education and experience requirements for each occupation.

How will future demand be?

Job vacancies reflect short-term market conditions, not future prospects of an occupation. To find out whether the job you are searching or training for will still be in demand over the next years, visit Growing Careers

Source: Minnesota Job Vacancy Survey , 4th Quarter 2009, Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development.