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. (2018) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| All Industries | 2,207 | 28,408 | $843 | $1,177 | $1,220 |
| Natural Res. and Mining | 19 | 68 | $444 | $918 | $1,151 |
| Construction | 282 | 2,231 | $1,218 | $1,377 | $1,206 |
| Manufacturing | 116 | 2,662 | $911 | $1,317 | $1,381 |
| Trade, Trans., Utilities | 473 | 6,035 | $714 | $1,004 | $916 |
| Information | 35 | 379 | $1,138 | $1,614 | $2,188 |
| Financial Activities | 210 | 1,662 | $1,171 | $1,722 | $1,840 |
| Prof., Business Services | 265 | 1,806 | $860 | $1,668 | $1,445 |
| Educ. and Health Serv. | 266 | 6,861 | $976 | $1,056 | $970 |
| Leisure and Hospitality | 277 | 4,359 | $419 | $468 | $463 |
| Other Services | 193 | 871 | $504 | $746 | $740 |
| Public Admin. | 71 | 1,472 | $1,067 | $1,206 | $1,124 |
Q3 2020 Avg CWC and MN Data, 2018 Annual US Data
Updated: April 2021
By the Numbers
Unemployment Rates
| Monthly | Annually | |
|---|---|---|
| Crow Wing County | 6.4% | 6.8% |
| Region 5 | 6.9% | 6.7% |
| Minnesota | 4.6% | 6.2% |
| U.S. | 6.6% | 8.1% |
Feb 2021 Monthly Data, 2020 Annual Data
Updated: April 2021