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Multiple Job Holding Remains High in North Dakota

In 2007, N.D. had 8.7 percent of employed residents working more than one job.

North Dakota tied with Minnesota for the sixth highest multiple job holding rate in the nation in 2007, with 8.7 percent of employed residents in each state working more than one job. That is up slightly from the 8.4 percent in 2006. Nationally, 5.2 percent of all employees held multiple jobs in 2007, a rate unchanged from 2006.

This month’s “Economic Brief,” a monthly publication from the North Dakota State Data Center at North Dakota State University, focuses on individual state multiple job holding rates as released by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

The reasons for holding multiple jobs are varied and include part-time work, low wages, limited benefits, underemployment and seasonal work, such as agricultural employment.

In 2007, South Dakota recorded the highest multiple job holding rate at 10.2 percent, followed by Nebraska at 9.7 percent and Vermont at 9.4 percent. All seven states in the west North Central Division (North Dakota, Minnesota, South Dakota, Nebraska, Iowa, Kansas and Missouri) continue to register rates above that of the nation.

Since 1994, North Dakota has ranked among the top nine states with the highest multiple job holding rates in the nation.

“Our consistently high ranking in multiple job holding is problematic,” says Richard Rathge, State Data Center director. “If people hold several jobs, that reduces their opportunity to do other things, such as interact with family members, enjoy recreation or social events, or even volunteer for civic responsibilities.”

The lowest multiple job holding rates were recorded in Florida and Nevada at 3.9 percent and 3.8 percent, respectively.


NDSU Agriculture Communication

Source:Richard Rathge, (701) 231-8621, richard.rathge@ndsu.edu
Editor:Rich Mattern,(701) 231-6136, richard.mattern@ndsu.edu

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