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 | 2,150 | 29,828 | $801 | $1,169 | $1,220 |
| Natural Res. and Mining | 19 | 60 | $453 | $963 | $1,151 |
| Construction | 270 | 2,000 | $1,067 | $1,299 | $1,206 |
| Manufacturing | 118 | 2,794 | $895 | $1,296 | $1,381 |
| Trade, Trans., Utilities | 468 | 6,061 | $668 | $971 | $916 |
| Information | 37 | 402 | $1,073 | $1,549 | $2,188 |
| Financial Activities | 200 | 1,673 | $1,081 | $1,869 | $1,840 |
| Prof., Business Services | 257 | 1,958 | $848 | $1,645 | $1,445 |
| Educ. and Health Serv. | 252 | 8,140 | $913 | $1,015 | $970 |
| Leisure and Hospitality | 258 | 4,356 | $368 | $448 | $463 |
| Other Services | 203 | 997 | $425 | $673 | $740 |
| Public Admin. | 68 | 1,387 | $1,022 | $1,141 | $1,124 |
Q1-Q3 2019 Avg CWC and MN Data, 2018 Annual US Data
Updated: February, 2020
By the Numbers
Unemployment Rates
| Monthly | Annually | |
|---|---|---|
| Crow Wing County | 5.7% | 4.4% |
| Region 5 | 6.6% | 4.9% |
| Minnesota | 3.5% | 3.3% |
| U.S. | 3.4% | 3.7% |
Dec 2019 Monthly Data, 2019 Annual Data
Updated: February, 2020