Survey results are in from the latest Employer Experience Survey. A total of 112 employer services staff from workforce and economic development agencies and organizations across the state took the survey. Of those, 107 staff have worked with employers for the past year. Their responses offer unique insights into current workforce conditions and trends they witness during their work with Minnesota employers. The survey was conducted during the last two weeks of February 2026. The last such survey was conducted during the final two weeks of September 2025.
About 36% of employer services staff who have worked with employers for at least a year indicate that the employers they are working with are having a somewhat harder or much harder time hiring compared to a year ago. Roughly 27% said it was somewhat easier or much easier for employers to hire the workers they need and 37% said it was about the same as a year ago. These responses are very similar to responses to the September 2025 survey.
On average, compared to 1 year ago, how would you rate employers' ease of hiring for the positions they are trying to fill?
Most employer service staff who responded to the February 2026 survey say the employers they work with utilize artificial intelligence (AI) in some way: 12% said employers used AI very often, 39% said somewhat often, 9% said somewhat less often and 4% said not often at all, while 37% reported they didn’t know if the employers they work with use AI tools or systems. Of the 71 respondents who were aware of employers they work with utilizing AI, 50% said employers use AI primarily for operational functions, with most respondents saying employers use AI to increase productivity by automating routine or repetitive activities. Only one respondent said employers primarily use AI to replace positions formerly filled by humans. Meanwhile, 47% say of respondents say employers primarily utilize AI in the hiring process, with most citing AI use in applicant screening.
What is the primary way employers you work with are utilizing AI?
The percentage of February 2026 Employer Experience Survey respondents (51%) who say employers they work with utilize artificial intelligence very often or somewhat often is up slightly from the last round of the survey conducted in September 2025 (48%).
Professionals invited to take the Employer Experience Survey are employer services staff who work for the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development, Local Workforce Development Areas, chambers of commerce, economic development organizations and other entities focused on serving Minnesota employers. Employer services staff are defined as professionals who work with employers to address workforce needs. The Employer Experience Survey is conducted twice a year and over time will assist with tracking workforce trends in Minnesota. The Employer Experience Survey is a companion to the Job Search Experience Survey, which is completed by job counselors and others who serve job seekers in preparing for and finding work in Minnesota.
- View an interactive display of results from the latest Employer Experience Survey
- Read a summary of results of a recent survey of workforce development professionals who work with job seekers about the Job Search Experience in Minnesota.
- Looking for work or looking for workers? Contact staff at a CareerForce location near you.
- Employers: looking for specific assistance with finding the workforce you need, regional labor market information or other assistance? Meet your regional team.
