Rochester led Minnesota in job growth in August 2025, adding over 7,500 jobs.

Rochester, Minnesota, led the state in job growth in August 2025, adding over 7,500 jobs—5.9%—well above the statewide rate of 1.3%. Mankato followed with 4.2% growth and over 2,300 new jobs. While the Twin Cities gained more jobs in number, its 0.8% growth rate was lower. St. Cloud lost nearly 650 jobs, and Duluth saw minimal growth. Minnesota added about 5,900 jobs from July to August, with the unemployment rate rising to 3.6%. Over the past year, the state added 39,255 jobs, mostly in the private sector, with education and health services creating more than 30,000 of them.