City Town Info

Duluth Employment

Employment and Industries in the Duluth, Minnesota Area

Duluth, Minnesota is an important banking, medical and retail regional center. It's also a prominent transportation center due to the Duluth-Superior Harbor which includes two of the most important ports for the Great Lakes. Tourism also provides jobs in the region. Also, a vast number of jobs are directly related to the hospital industry.

The Duluth economy is bolstered by a variety of light and heavy manufacturing facilities. The city also includes food processing facilities, lumber and paper mills, woolen mills, fisheries, oil refineries, cold storage facilities and grain elevators.

The Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development provides workforce centers. The department collaborates with local companies in order to provide customized job training and other labor force development services.

Some of the most popular occupations where the majority of the workers are college graduates include registered nurses, social and human services assistants, teachers, wholesale and manufacturing sales representatives, community and social service specialists; child family and school social workers; medical and health services managers; financial managers and pharmacists.

Details about Duluth, Minnesota: The estimated median household income in Duluth in 2007 was $41,000. The cost of living index in 2008 was at 82.6. The nation's average is 100. Regarding the adult population, 28% have achieved a bachelor's degree or better.

The following list includes the leading job providers in Duluth:

  • SMDC Health System - Hospitals
  • University of Minnesota Duluth - Education
  • St. Louis County - Government
  • Duluth Public Schools - Education
  • Allete - Utilities
  • United Healthcare - Finance and insurance health care management
  • Cirrus Design - Aerospace manufacturer
  • City of Duluth - Government
  • St. Luke's Hospital
  • US Government - Government
  • Miner's - Wholesale trade grocery and related products
  • Great Lakes Transportation - Transportation and warehousing
  • Superior School District - Education
  • Benedictine Health System - Health care and social assistance
  • Grandma's Restaurants - Accommodation and food services
  • Halvor Lines - Transportation and warehousing
  • College of St. Scholastica - Educational services
  • Walmart Supercenter - Retail trade
  • Ecumen - Healthcare and social assistance
  • Wells Fargo - Finance and insurance depository
  • Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway - Transportation and warehousing

The significant employment sectors in Duluth are:

  • Government
  • Trade, transportation and utilities
  • Health services
  • Education
  • Leisure and hospitality
  • Professional and business services

Local companies have opportunities to work with associations such as:

People interested in the Duluth region's business activities may want to read the local newspaper the Duluth News Tribune.

Most Popular Jobs in Duluth, Minnesota Metro Area (2008 data)

Where the Majority of Workers Have College Degrees

RankTitleLocal JobsLocal Mean SalaryTypical Local SalaryNational Growth % 2006-2016National % With College Degree
1Registered nurses3,61071,970$45,130 - 100,68024%56%
2Social and human service assistants2,37026,930$18,170 - 39,37034%58%
3Elementary school teachers, except special education1,15048,750$32,640 - 65,99014%95%
4Secondary school teachers, except special and vocational education97047,660$29,920 - 66,2706%96%
5Sales representatives, wholesale and manufacturing, except technical and scientific products85051,560$28,750 - 77,5008%51%
6Middle school teachers, except special and vocational education70045,840$30,350 - 63,47011%95%
7Accountants and auditors62056,040$36,610 - 80,84018%79%
8Community and social service specialists, all other41041,370$26,320 - 60,90025%58%
9Child, family, and school social workers34057,150$41,700 - 69,83019%77%
10Lawyers33099,780$48,590 - 11%99%
11Medical and health services managers31076,680$50,140 - 108,74016%57%
12Financial managers29095,820$59,240 - 133,26013%60%
13Managers, all other29083,600$48,450 - 125,8007%55%
14Pharmacists260101,660$34,030 - 131,49022%97%
15Special education teachers, preschool, kindergarten, and elementary school25051,610$36,600 - 66,83020%87%
16Sales and related workers, all other25046,110$27,290 - 77,35014%62%
17Educational, vocational, and school counselors24043,950$24,340 - 64,55013%73%
18Physical therapists23066,530$51,170 - 81,91027%89%
19Medical and clinical laboratory technicians23039,590$32,080 - 50,21015%51%
20Human resources, training, and labor relations specialists, all other22050,100$34,070 - 69,62017%56%
21Network and computer systems administrators22060,670$41,050 - 81,36027%50%
22Civil engineers21067,470$49,470 - 90,22018%87%
23Computer software engineers, applications20069,320$43,090 - 97,49045%85%
24Coaches and scouts20030,910$17,960 - 48,14015%60%
25Advertising sales agents19043,180$22,670 - 66,73020%56%
26Training and development specialists18050,230$35,400 - 71,74018%56%
27Sales managers18069,850$38,530 - 108,67010%69%
28Securities, commodities, and financial services sales agents17090,720$31,630 - 25%67%
29Computer systems analysts17061,960$45,820 - 79,99029%68%
30Librarians16050,580$35,570 - 66,1004%85%
31Legislators16020,740$13,840 - 30,9201%65%
32Graphic designers16037,640$22,950 - 54,77010%55%
33Clinical, counseling, and school psychologists16064,600$44,150 - 88,38016%99%
34Rehabilitation counselors15039,750$27,280 - 60,04023%73%
35Mental health and substance abuse social workers15051,270$34,220 - 68,29030%77%
36Medical and clinical laboratory technologists15058,230$44,890 - 74,63012%51%
37Social and community service managers14065,810$36,340 - 99,67025%72%
38Probation officers and correctional treatment specialists14051,600$36,860 - 67,04011%58%
39Electrical engineers14080,700$58,380 - 103,5906%81%
40Special education teachers, secondary school14049,070$34,150 - 65,7309%87%
41Teachers and instructors, all other14041,330$30,020 - 52,0909%54%
42Education administrators, elementary and secondary school13079,020$63,160 - 101,9808%78%
43Substance abuse and behavioral disorder counselors13047,120$33,650 - 63,43034%73%
44Education administrators, postsecondary13084,930$47,410 - 132,49014%78%
45Special education teachers, middle school12045,430$28,460 - 64,62016%87%
46Occupational therapists12058,240$45,320 - 72,66023%90%
47Detectives and criminal investigators12059,280$47,520 - 71,49017%54%
48Engineering managers11095,470$65,920 - 128,9607%84%
49Speech-language pathologists11056,780$44,230 - 67,77011%98%
50Public relations specialists11056,010$34,380 - 82,05018%81%
51Mechanical engineers11067,500$46,880 - 96,9504%78%
52Foresters10054,740$37,200 - 74,1205%86%
53Compliance officers, except agriculture, construction, health and safety, and transportation10052,770$29,940 - 80,4805%58%
54Environmental scientists and specialists, including health10059,300$37,110 - 80,51025%93%
55Computer programmers10056,900$37,360 - 90,2800%73%
56Management analysts10075,460$41,940 - 100,30022%78%
57Floral designers10019,340$15,570 - 24,6000%55%
58Medical and public health social workers10044,810$32,810 - 59,74024%77%
59Chief executives100131,340$70,480 - 2%65%
60Computer and information systems managers9088,780$61,800 - 121,31016%73%
61Network systems and data communications analysts9065,740$45,610 - 90,39053%57%
62Computer specialists, all other9056,310$28,430 - 82,85015%68%
63Occupational health and safety specialists8065,760$50,810 - 84,8908%72%
64Financial specialists, all other8056,670$35,850 - 81,94012%50%
65Market research analysts8056,440$34,890 - 82,04020%82%
66Architects, except landscape and naval7082,230$46,660 - 149,13018%88%
67Instructional coordinators7056,990$36,460 - 80,55023%79%
68Mental health counselors7042,270$30,730 - 51,79030%73%
69Sales representatives, wholesale and manufacturing, technical and scientific products70 $ - 12%51%
70Editors7040,490$25,450 - 60,7102%81%
71Education administrators, preschool and child care center/program6040,840$30,070 - 53,45024%78%
72Chemists6063,900$43,870 - 94,6109%93%
73Personal financial advisors6046,790$31,380 - 78,91041%81%
74Compensation, benefits, and job analysis specialists6053,980$36,860 - 75,25018%56%
75Employment, recruitment, and placement specialists6049,520$34,240 - 75,12018%56%
76Industrial engineers60 $ - 20%74%
77Self-enrichment education teachers6032,490$20,330 - 58,24023%54%
78Dentists, general60154,290$109,600 - 9%100%
79Physician assistants6085,820$59,080 - 111,68027%67%
80Chiropractors5075,340$27,390 - 155,01014%98%
81Writers and authors5046,810$29,260 - 64,97013%84%
82Vocational education teachers, secondary school5045,010$32,570 - 66,4200%96%
83Dietitians and nutritionists5055,260$42,700 - 65,3109%72%
84Biological technicians5038,870$27,190 - 50,62016%60%
85Computer software engineers, systems software5061,820$43,190 - 91,62028%85%
86Surveyors5063,740$41,690 - 107,09024%82%
87Reporters and correspondents5037,690$21,850 - 51,6601%85%
88Financial analysts5063,130$46,140 - 81,84034%87%
89Postmasters and mail superintendents5058,300$41,310 - 77,7800%55%
90Marriage and family therapists40 $ - 30%73%
91Environmental engineers4078,360$51,170 - 113,02025%86%
92Clergy4042,280$28,190 - 54,61019%75%
93Health educators4045,390$34,660 - 62,24026%58%
94Veterinarians4093,790$54,230 - 35%100%
95Human resources managers, all other4090,840$68,630 - 112,74011%58%
96Producers and directors4045,030$21,770 - 75,68011%75%
97Athletic trainers4039,890$31,750 - 49,84024%72%
98Database administrators4057,750$42,250 - 79,29029%72%
99Purchasing managers4092,540$54,300 - 156,1403%57%
100Education administrators, all other4068,660$41,720 - 91,09013%78%

Where the Majority of Workers Do Not Have College Degrees

RankTitleLocal JobsLocal Mean SalaryTypical Local SalaryNational Growth % 2006-2016National % With College Degree
1Retail salespersons3,65022,970$14,320 - 36,63012%25%
2Cashiers3,61017,450$13,940 - 23,040-2%10%
3Office clerks, general3,27026,120$17,250 - 37,01013%19%
4Combined food preparation and serving workers, including fast food2,80016,960$13,940 - 21,15018%5%
5Nursing aides, orderlies, and attendants2,71024,920$17,920 - 32,28018%7%
6Home health aides2,69021,920$17,280 - 26,76049%7%
7Waiters and waitresses2,66019,510$14,070 - 31,72011%14%
8Janitors and cleaners, except maids and housekeeping cleaners2,28023,070$14,850 - 34,61015%4%
9Business operations specialists, all other2,05044,200$24,730 - 67,21021%49%
10Customer service representatives1,99031,610$21,960 - 40,38025%22%
11Truck drivers, heavy and tractor-trailer1,71039,100$27,240 - 51,64010%4%
12Bookkeeping, accounting, and auditing clerks1,66030,750$20,710 - 41,73013%16%
13Stock clerks and order fillers1,54020,560$14,250 - 30,550-7%8%
14Teacher assistants1,51025,710$15,330 - 33,95010%18%
15Maids and housekeeping cleaners1,45021,300$15,390 - 29,09013%5%
16Licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses1,43037,570$29,030 - 47,63014%7%
17Laborers and freight, stock, and material movers, hand1,32026,280$16,200 - 44,5202%5%
18General and operations managers1,22086,210$40,070 - 149,0402%48%
19Personal and home care aides1,22021,880$17,440 - 27,57051%10%
20First-line supervisors/managers of retail sales workers1,11033,480$20,390 - 50,6104%25%
21Cooks, restaurant1,10020,080$15,170 - 26,40012%5%
22Carpenters1,03042,400$29,440 - 54,68010%6%
23First-line supervisors/managers of office and administrative support workers1,01041,640$25,240 - 62,8006%29%
24Executive secretaries and administrative assistants1,00039,030$28,310 - 50,76015%18%
25Bartenders99018,130$14,170 - 26,20011%17%
26Receptionists and information clerks95023,700$15,510 - 33,21017%13%
27Maintenance and repair workers, general94037,200$23,610 - 51,36010%6%
28Operating engineers and other construction equipment operators91048,020$37,530 - 60,2808%3%
29First-line supervisors/managers of food preparation and serving workers87025,640$16,960 - 37,98011%14%
30Truck drivers, light or delivery services79033,370$19,620 - 53,7508%4%
31Electricians77058,880$48,080 - 68,2007%7%
32Dishwashers77016,510$13,890 - 20,18010%3%
33Landscaping and groundskeeping workers77027,860$15,460 - 45,49018%6%
34Mobile heavy equipment mechanics, except engines76049,360$34,840 - 63,42012%3%
35Automotive service technicians and mechanics75034,140$20,890 - 49,70014%4%
36Cooks, institution and cafeteria73021,500$14,040 - 33,71011%5%
37Tellers63023,630$18,150 - 31,23014%16%
38Secretaries, except legal, medical, and executive61033,830$22,400 - 47,6601%18%
39Food preparation workers60022,480$16,160 - 30,98015%7%
40Construction laborers60039,440$25,950 - 52,02011%5%
41First-line supervisors/managers of construction trades and extraction workers58063,220$37,670 - 84,8009%10%
42Driver/sales workers58023,620$14,210 - 40,940-4%4%
43Security guards52022,960$17,000 - 31,38017%13%
44Bus drivers, school52026,160$14,620 - 40,7209%4%
45First-line supervisors/managers of production and operating workers51052,070$32,380 - 74,800-4%15%
46Hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists51027,660$17,700 - 45,01012%6%
47Pharmacy technicians51029,550$21,900 - 39,21032%16%
48Police and sheriff's patrol officers50047,900$38,240 - 60,36011%33%
49First-line supervisors/managers of mechanics, installers, and repairers49055,170$36,030 - 78,4307%13%
50Preschool teachers, except special education46029,320$16,030 - 48,40026%43%
51Child care workers46018,160$14,520 - 23,89018%15%
52Team assemblers45022,960$15,040 - 37,2800%5%
53Counter and rental clerks44022,050$14,060 - 37,71023%16%
54Fire fighters44033,840$15,930 - 49,24012%18%
55Plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters42051,060$29,880 - 79,72011%4%
56Correctional officers and jailers42045,690$35,600 - 57,10017%11%
57Welders, cutters, solderers, and brazers42036,930$25,850 - 50,4805%2%
58Medical assistants41029,110$22,600 - 37,04035%10%
59Hotel, motel, and resort desk clerks40019,460$15,640 - 24,92017%14%
60Shipping, receiving, and traffic clerks40028,640$17,270 - 42,9404%6%
61Postal service mail carriers390 1%11%
62Hosts and hostesses, restaurant, lounge, and coffee shop38016,940$14,110 - 20,40010%17%
63Highway maintenance workers38042,360$32,260 - 51,5709%5%
64Production workers, all other38045,180$15,120 - 75,5502%5%
65Cooks, short order37017,990$14,180 - 23,7905%5%
66Billing and posting clerks and machine operators37029,540$21,620 - 39,2504%15%
67Recreation workers37023,410$15,310 - 34,26013%47%
68Installation, maintenance, and repair workers, all other33040,830$21,060 - 62,9008%9%
69Industrial truck and tractor operators33035,710$23,530 - 49,850-1%2%
70Amusement and recreation attendants33018,910$14,100 - 29,06024%22%
71Dining room and cafeteria attendants and bartender helpers31016,670$13,750 - 20,32012%6%
72Vocational education teachers, postsecondary30059,530$37,930 - 80,1100%0%
73Computer support specialists30040,450$27,240 - 53,31013%43%
74Protective service workers, all other29031,120$16,690 - 50,85013%31%
75Industrial machinery mechanics29047,510$32,990 - 65,5709%5%
76Cooks, fast food29017,130$14,150 - 22,6708%5%
77Food service managers29041,320$26,890 - 59,4605%24%
78Bus and truck mechanics and diesel engine specialists28047,180$34,130 - 63,42012%3%
79Radiologic technologists and technicians28053,020$37,470 - 71,48015%25%
80Sewing machine operators28020,200$16,710 - 27,120-26%5%
81Medical secretaries28032,030$24,810 - 40,26017%18%
82Civil engineering technicians27051,840$35,860 - 65,16010%18%
83Fitness trainers and aerobics instructors26024,320$15,040 - 32,51027%47%
84Machinists26038,850$28,130 - 50,680-2%3%
85First-line supervisors/managers of personal service workers25028,500$15,810 - 52,44016%26%
86Electrical power-line installers and repairers25060,110$38,520 - 78,8607%6%
87Laundry and dry-cleaning workers24024,760$17,090 - 34,28010%5%
88Parts salespersons24029,960$19,220 - 39,690-1%6%
89Medical transcriptionists24033,940$26,810 - 41,91014%10%
90Surgical technologists23042,280$29,740 - 58,36025%16%
91Food servers, nonrestaurant23021,500$15,420 - 29,43016%9%
92Loan officers22054,800$32,720 - 94,01012%49%
93Packers and packagers, hand22017,430$13,960 - 22,880-11%3%
94Wholesale and retail buyers, except farm products21042,430$27,830 - 65,1600%36%
95Healthcare support workers, all other21030,060$24,050 - 38,47016%10%
96Sales representatives, services, all other21044,960$25,350 - 72,28028%48%
97Cleaners of vehicles and equipment21019,720$14,120 - 27,81014%3%
98Assemblers and fabricators, all other210 -8%5%
99Interviewers, except eligibility and loan20030,660$21,960 - 39,36010%24%
100Helpers--installation, maintenance, and repair workers20024,610$16,840 - 34,13012%0%
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Jobs More Common Near Duluth Than Most Other Cities

* Average job popularity for metro areas = 1.0

TitleMean Local SalaryLocal JobsPop. vs. Avg.*
Foresters54,74010048.6
Tank car, truck, and ship loaders45,30012032.3
Social and human service assistants26,9302,3708.4
Conveyor operators and tenders37,0601407.3
Mobile heavy equipment mechanics, except engines49,3607607.3
Millwrights50,7201907.1
Tour guides and escorts20,8901406.7
Crushing, grinding, and polishing machine setters, operators, and tenders47,5501506.4
Stationary engineers and boiler operators48,1901404.8
Highway maintenance workers42,3603804.7
Community and social service specialists, all other41,3704104.6
Protective service workers, all other31,1202904.4
Control and valve installers and repairers, except mechanical door50,9601204.3
Legislators20,7401604
Woodworking machine setters, operators, and tenders, except sawing27,5701803.8
Electrical power-line installers and repairers60,1102503.6
Civil engineering technicians51,8402703.6
Vocational education teachers, postsecondary59,5303003.5
Home health aides21,9202,6903.5
Probation officers and correctional treatment specialists51,6001403.4
Medical transcriptionists33,9402403.4
Art, drama, and music teachers, postsecondary56,1601703.1
Personal care and service workers, all other20,2901503
Personal and home care aides21,8801,2203
Surgical technologists42,2802302.9
Operating engineers and other construction equipment operators48,0209102.9
Mechanical engineering technicians57,4601002.9
Medical equipment preparers29,5601002.8
Extruding, forming, pressing, and compacting machine setters, operators, and tenders32,2701402.8
Cooks, short order17,9903702.8
Installation, maintenance, and repair workers, all other40,8303302.8
Eligibility interviewers, government programs41,6501902.7
Health technologists and technicians, all other39,0101602.7
Service station attendants18,0801502.6
Cooks, institution and cafeteria21,5007302.5
Tax examiners, collectors, and revenue agents51,0601202.4
Correctional officers and jailers45,6904202.4
Sewing machine operators20,2002802.4
Licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses37,5701,4302.3
Nursing aides, orderlies, and attendants24,9202,7102.2
Bartenders18,1309902.2
Floral designers19,3401002.2
Family and general practitioners170,8101802.1
First-line supervisors/managers of personal service workers28,5002502.1
Hotel, motel, and resort desk clerks19,4604002.1
Substance abuse and behavioral disorder counselors47,1201302.1
Business operations specialists, all other44,2002,0502.1
Water and liquid waste treatment plant and system operators48,0001602
Fire fighters33,8404401.9
Sales and related workers, all other46,1102501.9

Work Paying Relatively Well in the Duluth, Minnesota Metro Area (2008 data)

* Average Salary Index for metro areas = 1.0

TitleMean Local SalarySalary Index *Local Jobs
Roofers58,4001.66110
Production workers, all other45,1801.56380
Crushing, grinding, and polishing machine setters, operators, and tenders47,5501.52150
Child, family, and school social workers57,1501.41340
Painters, construction and maintenance46,2201.35140
Sheet metal workers54,4301.3150
Mental health and substance abuse social workers51,2701.29150
Construction laborers39,4401.27600
Heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers51,7201.26120
Court, municipal, and license clerks41,7001.26110
Electricians58,8801.26770
Laundry and dry-cleaning workers24,7601.25240
Conveyor operators and tenders37,0601.23140
Vocational education teachers, postsecondary59,5301.22300
Substance abuse and behavioral disorder counselors47,1201.22130
Correctional officers and jailers45,6901.21420
Highway maintenance workers42,3601.21380
Butchers and meat cutters36,1301.2130
Bus and truck mechanics and diesel engine specialists47,1801.2280
Probation officers and correctional treatment specialists51,6001.19140
Industrial truck and tractor operators35,7101.19330
Water and liquid waste treatment plant and system operators48,0001.18160
Order clerks33,0701.18160
Sales and related workers, all other46,1101.17250
Food preparation workers22,4801.17600
Registered nurses71,9701.173,610
Secretaries, except legal, medical, and executive33,8301.16610
Teacher assistants25,7101.151,510
Social and community service managers65,8101.15140
Truck drivers, light or delivery services33,3701.15790
Preschool teachers, except special education29,3201.15460
Civil engineering technicians51,8401.15270
Landscaping and groundskeeping workers27,8601.15770
Mobile heavy equipment mechanics, except engines49,3601.15760
Securities, commodities, and financial services sales agents90,7201.15170
Dental assistants36,8401.14190
Library technicians33,7001.14160
Installation, maintenance, and repair workers, all other40,8301.13330
Medical records and health information technicians35,6901.13200
Operating engineers and other construction equipment operators48,0201.12910
Kindergarten teachers, except special education53,1301.12110
Maids and housekeeping cleaners21,3001.111,450
Medical and clinical laboratory technicians39,5901.11230
Public relations specialists56,0101.11110
Plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters51,0601.11420
Eligibility interviewers, government programs41,6501.11190
Control and valve installers and repairers, except mechanical door50,9601.11120
Medical secretaries32,0301.1280
Rehabilitation counselors39,7501.1150
Hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists27,6601.1510

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