Minnesota officials said that the state lost 11,400 jobs in April, but the seasonally adjusted unemployment rate actually fell to 5.3 percent, the lowest since May, 2008.
The U.S. rate was 7.5 percent in April.
But over the past year, Minnesota has gained 24,400 jobs for a growth rate of 1 percent, compared with a U.S. growth rate of 1.6 percent during that period.
"While we've seen mixed results in the labor market in recent months, the overall outlook for jobs in Minnesota remains positive," said DEED Commissioner Katie Clark Sieben. "Eight of the state's 11 major industrial sectors have gained jobs in the past year, and the unemployment rate is at a five-year low."