A skilled, affordable workforce
One of the Brainerd Lakes Area’s greatest resources is its people. The workforce is well-educated, loyal, skilled and conscientious. Employees appreciate the area’s quality of life and it shows in their work ethic.
And our hard-working, well-educated workforce is also affordable. Our cost of living is lower. As a result, wages are also lower. Without compromising quality, businesses can enjoy significantly reduced operational costs when compared to metropolitan areas and even national averages.
Average Weekly Wage by Industry
| Companies in CWC | Employees in CWC | Avg Weekly Wages in CWC | Avg Weekly Wages in MN | Avg Weekly Wages in U.S. | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| All Industries | 2198 | 30917 | $784 | $1,095 | $1,139 |
| Natural Res. and Mining | 22 | 80 | $460 | $919 | $1,075 |
| Construction | 279 | 2194 | $1,116 | $1,278 | $1,159 |
| Manufacturing | 120 | 2775 | $872 | $1,268 | $1,264 |
| Trade, Trans., Utilities | 485 | 6442 | $637 | $931 | $891 |
| Information | 32 | 415 | $998 | $1,401 | $2,055 |
| Financial Activities | 213 | 1597 | $1,021 | $1,564 | $1,589 |
| Prof., Business Services | 263 | 2298 | $814 | $1,488 | $1,365 |
| Educ. and Health Serv. | 248 | 7737 | $902 | $1,005 | $951 |
| Leisure and Hospitality | 262 | 5024 | $373 | $440 | $449 |
| Other Services | 204 | 977 | $416 | $652 | $725 |
| Public Admin. | 70 | 1378 | $1,017 | $1,102 | $1,008 |
Q3 2018 CWC and MN Data, Q2 2018 Annual US Data
Updated: March, 2019
By the Numbers
Unemployment Rates
| Monthly | Annually | |
|---|---|---|
| Crow Wing County | 4.9 | 3.8 |
| Region 5 | 5.7 | 4.3 |
| Minnesota | 3.2 | 2.9 |
| U.S. | 3.7 | 3.9 |
Dec 2018 Monthly Data, 2018 Annual Data
Updated: March, 2019