14 charts that show jobs, unemployment and workforce data for Bismarck and North Dakota

A comprehensive assessment of labor market data in Bismarck, North Dakota, and the state as a whole, reveals some interesting trends regarding employment and workforce metrics. The following series of charts provides a bird’s-eye view of the labor market in the region, with particular attention paid to the level of unemployment, the size and composition of the workforce, and the types of occupations and industries that offer the most job opportunities.

An analysis of unemployment figures reveals that the jobless rate in Bismarck, and North Dakota as a whole, is considerably lower than the national average. The chart below illustrates this point, showing that the jobless rate in the Bismarck metropolitan area was 2.9% in October 2019, compared to the national jobless rate of 3.6%.

The size of the workforce in the Bismarck area is also notable. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the city’s labor force totaled nearly 73,000 individuals in October 2019, with just over 70,000 employed and just over 2,000 unemployed. This indicates that the region has a relatively robust labor force, with a high percentage of employed individuals.

Breaking down the composition of the workforce further, the chart below shows that the majority of individuals in the Bismarck area are employed in the service industry, with the largest concentrations in retail trade, health care, and leisure and hospitality. Manufacturing is also a key component of the region’s labor market, accounting for nearly 13% of total employment.

The chart below reveals the top occupations in Bismarck, with the most popular jobs being those in the health care sector. Specifically, registered nurses and nursing assistants comprise the largest occupational categories in the city, followed by retail salespersons, general and operations managers, and office clerks.

Finally, the chart below looks at the industries with the most job openings in Bismarck. Here, it can be seen that the majority of currently available positions are in the education, health care, and social assistance sectors, with the largest numbers of job postings in the areas of nursing, teaching, and retail sales.

In conclusion, a review of labor market data in Bismarck and North Dakota reveals several noteworthy trends. The region has a comparatively low jobless rate, a large and diversified workforce, and a robust job market in the service industry, health care, and education sectors.