Rochester Construction Boom Creates 4,000+ Jobs By 2030

Rochester's construction cranes and road closures are more than just temporary headaches. They're signs of a job boom that's giving thousands of workers a path to great careers.

The southeastern Minnesota city is growing construction jobs at 4 percent annually, nearly double the state's 2.3 percent rate. Behind every new hospital wing and bus line are electricians, plumbers, and specialty workers earning solid middle-class wages in a region hungry for their skills.

Jordan Barnes owns Accord Electric, and his company has been flooded with work. In just the last year and a half, the local electrical training program received 700 applications. That's an unusually high number, and many applicants are young people seeking a different path than college.

"We're seeing more people enter into trade school to start that process, and the younger generation is showing a lot of interest in the electrical industry as a whole," Barnes said.

The jobs pay well, too. Specialty trades workers in southeastern Minnesota earn a median wage of $33.57 per hour. That's $7.50 more than the regional median wage across all occupations.

The opportunity stems from Destination Medical Center, a 20-year, $5.6 billion plan to expand Mayo Clinic and make Rochester more attractive. The city is juggling 13 public works projects right now, and that number will nearly double within a year. Private construction like new housing developments adds even more work.

Deputy City Administrator Cindy Steinhauser said the construction demand creates a ripple effect beyond medical jobs. For every physician moving to Rochester, seven support service jobs are created throughout the economy.

The Ripple Effect

The wage increases are closing the gap with Twin Cities pay, helping Rochester attract skilled workers who might have otherwise moved to the metro area. Recent wage package increases represent the largest percentage jump the local union has seen, making the trades more competitive with urban markets.

The construction surge isn't slowing down anytime soon. According to Steinhauser, Rochester's strong construction job profile will continue through 2030, giving workers stability and young people time to train for careers that didn't require a four-year degree.

Amanda Blaschko, a labor market analyst for Minnesota's Department of Employment and Economic Development, said southeastern Minnesota's civil engineering job market is growing faster than anywhere else in the state. The region added 257 specialty trade jobs in just one year.

Barnes said while downtown may look chaotic now, the behind-the-scenes work supporting all those visible projects is creating opportunities many people don't see. His company is building charging stations for electric buses that will serve the new rapid transit line opening next year.

Young workers are choosing trades over traditional college paths, and they're finding solid careers waiting for them in Rochester.