Find a Job You Really Want In
Are you preparing for a job search in 2026? If so, you’re likely eager to understand the current landscape of job opportunities in Minnesota and how different cities compare.
Job markets can vary significantly even within the same state; some areas may offer abundant opportunities while others can pose challenges for job seekers. At Zippia, we analyzed recent data to identify where in Minnesota it’s easiest to find employment in 2026.
Here are the ten hottest job markets across Minnesota in 2026.
The 10 Hottest Job Markets In Minnesota
These cities represent the top areas to find jobs in Minnesota as of 2026. Read on for a deeper dive into how we arrived at these rankings, and if your city isn’t in the top 10, check where it falls on the complete list.
How We Determined the Best Job Markets in Minnesota
Utilizing the latest data from the Census American Community Survey, we focused on major Minnesota metro areas with a civilian workforce exceeding 5,000.
While the unemployment rate is a critical indicator of the job market, it doesn’t provide the full picture. To assess the best job markets in Minnesota, we examined a comprehensive set of metrics.
Each metro area was scored on a scale from 1 to 98 across four categories:
- Unemployment Rate
- Change In Unemployment Rate
- Household Income Change
- Current Average Household Income
A lower score in each category indicates a stronger job market. For instance, the Big Lake area, with the lowest unemployment rate at 1.16%, secured the top spot for this metric. We then averaged the rankings across all categories to create our final list, ranking 98 metro areas from 1 to 98, where a lower score signifies a more favorable job market.
1. Woodbury
Unemployment Rate: 2.66%
Average Income: $131,235
2. Plymouth
Unemployment Rate: 2.93%
Average Income: $133,434
3. Rosemount
Unemployment Rate: 3.22%
Average Income: $118,122
4. Waconia
Unemployment Rate: 1.43%
Average Income: $110,386
5. Edina
Unemployment Rate: 3.46%
Average Income: $167,136
6. Savage
Unemployment Rate: 3.41%
Average Income: $128,782
7. Golden Valley
Unemployment Rate: 2.93%
Average Income: $120,508
8. Chanhassen
Unemployment Rate: 1.92%
Average Income: $158,585
9. Ramsey
Unemployment Rate: 2.58%
Average Income: $109,087
10. Otsego
Unemployment Rate: 2.52%
Average Income: $105,394
Measuring the Best Job Markets in Minnesota
Some readers may find themselves in a different situation despite our rankings. For instance, if you reside in Big Lake and have been struggling to find work, know that individual circumstances vary widely.
While Big Lake tops the list for job availability, factors like education, experience, and specific career fields can greatly influence your job search. Nonetheless, overall, job seekers in Big Lake will generally have an easier time compared to those in less favorable areas.
Detailed List of the Hottest Job Markets in Minnesota
| Rank | Place | Unemployment Rate |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Woodbury | 2.66% |
| 2 | Plymouth | 2.93% |
| 3 | Rosemount | 3.22% |
| 4 | Waconia | 1.43% |
| 5 | Edina | 3.46% |
| 6 | Savage | 3.41% |
| 7 | Golden Valley | 2.93% |
| 8 | Chanhassen | 1.92% |
| 9 | Ramsey | 2.58% |
| 10 | Otsego | 2.52% |
| 11 | Prior Lake | 3.25% |
| 12 | Vadnais Heights | 1.96% |
| 13 | Minnetonka | 3.4% |
| 14 | Andover | 3.0% |
| 15 | Mendota Heights | 3.28% |
| 16 | Farmington | 2.18% |
| 17 | Eden Prairie | 2.9% |
| 18 | Lino Lakes | 2.71% |
| 19 | Lakeville | 2.56% |
| 20 | Maple Grove | 2.7% |
| 21 | Chaska | 1.98% |
| 22 | St. Louis Park | 2.88% |
| 23 | St. Michael | 3.07% |
| 24 | Rogers | 2.99% |
| 25 | Shoreview | 3.39% |
| 26 | North Branch | 4.35% |
| 27 | Moorhead | 2.93% |
| 28 | Mound | 3.41% |
| 29 | Northfield | 3.98% |
| 30 | Apple Valley | 3.07% |
| 31 | Cottage Grove | 2.99% |
| 32 | Champlin | 2.92% |
| 33 | Eagan | 3.61% |
| 34 | St. Peter | 3.01% |
| 35 | New Brighton | 4.34% |
| 36 | Forest Lake | 3.61% |
| 37 | Big Lake | 1.16% |
| 38 | East Bethel | 3.24% |
| 39 | Richfield | 3.97% |
| 40 | Stillwater | 3.04% |
| 41 | Ham Lake | 3.06% |
| 42 | Minneapolis | 5.51% |
| 43 | White Bear Lake | 3.28% |
| 44 | Sartell | 2.56% |
| 45 | New Ulm | 2.22% |
| 46 | Crystal | 4.08% |
| 47 | Blaine | 3.09% |
| 48 | Little Canada | 4.91% |
| 49 | Bloomington | 3.54% |
| 50 | Buffalo | 5.14% |
| 51 | Burnsville | 4.81% |
| 52 | North Mankato | 5.0% |
| 53 | Hutchinson | 2.81% |
| 54 | Inver Grove Heights | 4.14% |
| 55 | Roseville | 3.98% |
| 56 | Coon Rapids | 3.76% |
| 57 | Maplewood | 4.56% |
| 58 | New Hope | 4.35% |
| 59 | Hugo | 2.39% |
| 60 | Anoka | 5.2% |
| 61 | Winona | 4.85% |
| 62 | Robbinsdale | 4.46% |
| 63 | Hopkins | 4.35% |
| 64 | Elk River | 3.59% |
| 65 | Alexandria | 2.71% |
| 66 | Shakopee | 3.24% |
| 67 | North St. Paul | 4.04% |
| 68 | Mounds View | 5.21% |
| 69 | Rochester | 4.24% |
| 70 | Brooklyn Center | 5.85% |
| 71 | Hastings | 2.61% |
| 72 | Brooklyn Park | 4.0% |
| 73 | Duluth | 4.45% |
| 74 | Fergus Falls | 3.74% |
| 75 | Mankato | 4.44% |
| 76 | St. Paul | 5.65% |
| 77 | Cloquet | 5.89% |
| 78 | Brainerd | 2.37% |
| 79 | Owatonna | 4.42% |
| 80 | St. Cloud | 7.09% |
| 81 | Austin | 5.52% |
| 82 | Faribault | 4.55% |
| 83 | Sauk Rapids | 4.72% |
| 84 | South St. Paul | 3.96% |
| 85 | Albert Lea | 5.44% |
| 86 | Willmar | 3.98% |
| 87 | West St. Paul | 6.83% |
| 88 | Arden Hills | 4.97% |
| 89 | Oakdale | 4.2% |
| 90 | Grand Rapids | 2.06% |
| 91 | Worthington | 6.44% |
| 92 | Fridley | 5.06% |
| 93 | Monticello | 4.03% |
| 94 | Columbia Heights | 6.25% |
| 95 | Red Wing | 5.28% |
| 96 | Marshall | 4.21% |
| 97 | Hibbing | 6.35% |
| 98 | Bemidji | 6.18% |
Author
Kathy is the head of content at Zippia with a knack for engaging audiences. Prior to joining Zippia, Kathy worked at Gateway Blend growing audiences across diverse brands. She graduated from Troy University with a degree in Social Science Education.
