Labor Report: State and Regional Analysis for North Dakota, Minnesota, South Dakota - Q4 2017

This quarterly labor report provides insight into trends in non-farm employment in the Upper Great Plains. It includes state-level data for North Dakota, Minnesota and South Dakota and local-level data for the metropolitan statistical areas (MSAs) of Fargo, ND-MN; Bismarck, ND; Grand Forks, ND-MN; Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI; Duluth, MN-WI; Rochester, MN; St. Cloud, MN; Sioux Falls, SD; and Rapid City, SD. In addition to reporting employment and wage figures, this report provides context for labor market and industry trends by conducting regional comparisons and using economic theory to interpret results. By using data to signal the health and functioning of regional labor markets and local economies, this report seeks to offer meaningful analysis for employers, job seekers and policymakers at the state and local levels.