Labor Market Profile

Fargo Moorhead’s labor market epitomizes the Midwestern work ethic. Local employers enjoy a stable base of employees with high productivity, low turnover and low absenteeism.

  • Total MSA population of approximately 200,000
  • Total MSA workforce of over 120,000
  • 95% of existing Fargo Moorhead employers rate their employees' productivity as good or excellent

Local, State & National Labor Market Non-Farm Labor Force Employed Persons Unemployment Rate
Fargo Moorhead MSA 121,440 116,449 4.1%
Minnesota 2,983,172 2,779,193 6.8%
North Dakota 379,177 363,811 4.1%
United States 154,767,000 139,882,000 9.6%
Source: Job Service N.D., Minn. DEED - June 2010

Cass, Clay & Surrounding Counties Labor Market Non-Farm Labor Force Employed Persons Unemployment Rate
Becker, Minn. 17,243 16,001 7.2%

Clay, Minn.

33,515

31,988

4.6%

Norman, Minn. 3,689 3,461 6.2%
Wilkin, Minn. 3,550 3,377 4.9%
Barnes, N.D. 6,227 5,946 4.5%
Cass, N.D. 87,925 84,461 3.9%
Griggs, N.D. 1,331 1,288 3.2%
Ransom, N.D. 2,683 2,552 4.9%
Richland, N.D. 8,671 8,262 4.7%
Steele, N.D. 1,018 1,049 3.0%
Traill, N.D. 3,984 3,761 5.6%
Total 169,899 162,146 4.6%
Source:  Job Service N.D., Minn. DEED -June 2010

Highest Education Attainment Percent of Population, Age 25+
Less than High School 5.6
High School or Equivalent Only 24.1
Some College - more than 1 year, no degree 22.3
Associate Degree 13.1
Bachelor Degree 25.3
Graduate Degree 9.6
Source:  Census Bureau, 2009 Estimate

Click here to search for occupational wage rates in the Fargo Moorhead MSA.

Click here to access the downloadable version of the publication titled "Wages for North Dakota Jobs - 2010 Edition," which features wage data for the Fargo Moorhead MSA.