Overview Salaries

Salaries in Brainerd, MN

Updated on May 10, 2026
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What is the average salary in Brainerd, MN?

The average salary in Brainerd, MN is $74,861 per year.
Yearly
Monthly
Weekly
Hourly
Graph depicting the yearly salary distribution for Brainerd, MN, showing an average salary of $74,861 with varying distribution percentages across salary ranges.
Graph depicting the monthly salary distribution for Brainerd, MN, showing an average salary of $6,238 with varying distribution percentages across salary ranges.
Graph depicting the weekly salary distribution for Brainerd, MN, showing an average salary of $1,440 with varying distribution percentages across salary ranges.
Graph depicting the hourly salary distribution for Brainerd, MN, showing an average salary of $36 with varying distribution percentages across salary ranges.

Brainerd, Minnesota offers a diverse job market with a range of salary opportunities. The average yearly salary in Brainerd is around $74,861, which is slightly above the national average. This offers a good chance for job seekers to find a position that meets their financial needs.


The salary distribution in Brainerd shows a mix of income levels. Most people earn between $28,000 and $126,727 a year. Here is a breakdown of the earnings:

  • 67.57% earn between $28,000 and $77,364
  • 19.12% earn between $77,364 and $126,727
  • 4.30% earn between $126,727 and $176,091
The highest earners in Brainerd make over $225,455 a year, showing a wide range of salary options for different job sectors and experience levels.

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What are the best paying jobs in Brainerd, MN?

The top-paying jobs in Brainerd, MN, offer rewarding opportunities for job seekers. Physicians lead the way with an average salary of over half a million dollars annually. This high-demand field combines medical expertise with patient care, ensuring well-being and health. Pharmacists also earn substantial salaries, averaging around $136,724 each year. These professionals work closely with patients and doctors to ensure proper medication use and health outcomes. Another high-paying option is being a Registered Nurse, with salaries around $88,085 annually. These nurses provide essential care and support in various healthcare settings, contributing significantly to patient health.
Graph displaying best paying job salaries in Brainerd, MN, highlighting Physician with the highest at $536,534 and Maintenance Technician with the lowest at $52,952.

  1. Physician
    Average Salary: $536,534
    Offer care in clinics and hospitals. Work with local healthcare providers. Help the community with medical services.
    Find Physician jobs in Brainerd, MN


  2. Pharmacist
    Average Salary: $136,724
    Fill prescriptions and advise on medications. Work in local pharmacies. Provide valuable health information to customers.
    Find Pharmacist jobs in Brainerd, MN


  3. Registered Nurse
    Average Salary: $88,085
    Provide patient care in hospitals and clinics. Work with doctors and other healthcare staff. Ensure patients receive proper care and support.
    Find Registered Nurse jobs in Brainerd, MN


  4. Speech Language Pathologist
    Average Salary: $84,314
    Help patients with communication and swallowing issues. Work in schools or hospitals. Improve patients' quality of life through therapy.
    Find Speech Language Pathologist jobs in Brainerd, MN


  5. Occupational Therapist
    Average Salary: $82,271
    Assist patients in regaining skills needed for daily life. Work with people of all ages. Help patients recover from injuries or illnesses.
    Find Occupational Therapist jobs in Brainerd, MN


  6. CDL Driver
    Average Salary: $75,417
    Deliver goods and services. Drive trucks for local businesses. Ensure timely and safe deliveries.
    Find CDL Driver jobs in Brainerd, MN


  7. Radiologic Technologist
    Average Salary: $70,952
    Operate imaging equipment. Work in hospitals or clinics. Help doctors diagnose and treat medical conditions.
    Find Radiologic Technologist jobs in Brainerd, MN


  8. Laboratory Technician
    Average Salary: $62,031
    Conduct tests on samples in a lab setting. Work with scientists and researchers. Provide important data for medical diagnoses.
    Find Laboratory Technician jobs in Brainerd, MN


  9. Licensed Practical Nurse
    Average Salary: $59,750
    Provide basic patient care. Work in hospitals and clinics. Support registered nurses and doctors in patient care.
    Find Licensed Practical Nurse jobs in Brainerd, MN


  10. Maintenance Technician
    Average Salary: $52,952
    Perform maintenance tasks to keep buildings running smoothly. Work for local businesses and organizations. Ensure a safe and functional environment.
    Find Maintenance Technician jobs in Brainerd, MN

What are the best paying jobs in Brainerd, MN without a degree?

Brainerd, MN offers several high-paying jobs that do not require a college degree. Line cooks lead the list, earning an average of $38,018 annually. This role involves preparing food and managing kitchen tasks with hands-on experience and skills. Other well-paying positions include groundskeepers, who maintain outdoor areas and earn an average of $37,746 per year. Housekeeping staff, responsible for cleaning and organizing spaces, earn $31,519 annually. Baristas, who prepare beverages in cafés, average $31,280, while servers earn $30,617 for their customer service skills. Dishwashers, ensuring clean dishes, average $30,139. These jobs provide a good income and valuable experience.
Graph displaying best paying job salaries in Brainerd, MN without a degree, highlighting Line Cook with the highest at $38,018 and Dishwasher with the lowest at $30,139.

  1. Line Cook
    Average Salary: $38,018
    Prepare and cook food in restaurants and cafes. Work in a fast-paced environment. Follow recipes and ensure food quality. Positions available at local dining spots.
    Find Line Cook jobs in Brainerd, MN


  2. Groundskeeper
    Average Salary: $37,746
    Maintain the grounds of parks, golf courses, and other properties. Mow lawns, trim shrubs, and clean equipment. Work outdoors and enjoy seasonal beauty. Ideal for those who like being active.
    Find Groundskeeper jobs in Brainerd, MN


  3. Housekeeping
    Average Salary: $31,519
    Clean and maintain rooms in hotels and motels. Ensure all areas are tidy and well-kept. Work in a team to meet guests' needs. Opportunities exist in various lodging establishments.
    Find Housekeeping jobs in Brainerd, MN


  4. Barista
    Average Salary: $31,280
    Make coffee and other beverages in coffee shops. Interact with customers and take orders. Work in a busy setting. Positions available in popular local coffee shops.
    Find Barista jobs in Brainerd, MN


  5. Server
    Average Salary: $30,617
    Serve food and drinks to customers in restaurants. Take orders and ensure a good dining experience. Work in a team to keep tables turned. Opportunities exist in various dining establishments.
    Find Server jobs in Brainerd, MN


  6. Dishwasher
    Average Salary: $30,139
    Wash dishes, utensils, and kitchen equipment. Maintain a clean and organized kitchen. Work behind the scenes to support the restaurant staff. Positions available in local eateries.
    Find Dishwasher jobs in Brainerd, MN

Which companies offer the top salaries in Brainerd, MN?

In Brainerd, MN, some companies offer higher salaries than others. Essentia Health leads the way with an average salary of $143,744. This company provides excellent career opportunities for those seeking higher pay. Other top-paying companies include the State of Minnesota, with an average salary of $67,036, and Crow Wing County, which offers an average salary of $64,080. Job seekers will also find competitive salaries at Comfort Keepers, where the average salary is $47,642. EON, Inc. pays an average of $41,078, while Penmac Staffing and Cragun Corporation offer average salaries of $39,097 and $38,505, respectively. These companies provide various benefits and career growth opportunities for their employees.
Graph displaying company salaries in Brainerd, MN, highlighting Essentia Health with the highest at $143,744 and Cragun Corporation with the lowest at $38,505.

  1. Essentia Health
    Average Salary: $143,744
    Essentia Health offers high-quality healthcare services and is a top employer in Brainerd. They value their employees and offer competitive salaries.


  2. State of Minnesota
    Average Salary: $67,036
    The State of Minnesota provides a range of public services. They offer stable jobs with good compensation for their staff.


  3. Crow Wing County
    Average Salary: $64,080
    Crow Wing County employs many people in various roles, from administration to public safety. They offer reliable jobs and fair salaries.


  4. Comfort Keepers
    Average Salary: $47,642
    Comfort Keepers focuses on providing in-home care services. They offer decent pay for their caregivers and support staff.


  5. EON, Inc.
    Average Salary: $41,078
    EON, Inc. works in the insurance and financial services sectors. They offer jobs that come with good salaries for the region.


  6. Penmac Staffing
    Average Salary: $39,097
    Penmac Staffing specializes in temporary and permanent staffing solutions. They provide fair wages for their employees.


  7. Cragun Corporation
    Average Salary: $38,505
    Cragun Corporation operates in the manufacturing sector, producing a variety of products. They offer competitive salaries for their workforce.

How does the cost of living in Brainerd, MN compare to the national average?

Brainerd, MN, offers a cost of living that stands below the nationwide average, making it an attractive option for budget-conscious individuals. The overall cost of living index for Brainerd is at 88, which is 12% lower than the national average of 100. This reduction is largely due to more affordable housing costs, with an index of 78, significantly less than the national average. Specific categories such as groceries, utilities, transportation, healthcare, and miscellaneous items are only slightly below the national average, with indices ranging from 85 to 95. This balanced distribution makes Brainerd a cost-effective place to live without sacrificing quality of life in key areas.
Cost of living comparison graph for Brainerd, MN vs. Nationwide: housing 22% lower, groceries 6% lower, utilities 5% lower, transportation 15% lower, healthcare 12% lower, miscellaneous 10% lower.

Brainerd, Minnesota, offers a cost of living that is generally lower than the nationwide average. With a cost of living index of 78, housing in Brainerd is about 22% cheaper than the average U.S. city. This means that someone living in Brainerd can expect to pay significantly less for rent or mortgage payments compared to the national average.


Other expenses in Brainerd also reflect this lower cost of living. For example, groceries cost about 94% of the national average, utilities are 95%, and transportation is 85%. Healthcare services in Brainerd are priced at 88% of the national average, while miscellaneous expenses are at 90%. These percentages show that, overall, living in Brainerd can be more affordable for many people when compared to the country’s average cost of living.

There are 389 job openings in Brainerd, MN, today!

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Brainerd, MN
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