Workforce
Thief River Falls and Pennington County
Pennington County offers an engaged workforce with experience in distribution, manufacturing, health care, skilled trades, business services and other essential industries. Local education and workforce partners help employers recruit, train and retain the people they need.
Workforce Support for Employers
Planning an expansion, recruiting employees or exploring training resources? Advance Thief River can connect your business with the partners and programs that can help.
%
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
%
High School Diploma or Higher
%
Labor Force Participation Rate
Pennington County data. Educational attainment applies to adults age 25 and older; labor force participation applies to the civilian population age 16 and older.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2020–2024 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates.
Workforce at a Glance
9378
Jobs Based in Pennington County
416
Business Establishments
$57,300
Average Annual Wage
Source: Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development, 2025 Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages.
Workforce Skills and Experience
Distribution and Logistics
Thief River Falls has an exceptional concentration of distribution and logistics activity, supported by transportation connections, experienced workers and one of the region’s most significant private employers.
Manufacturing and Production
Local workers bring experience in production, assembly, machining, quality control, maintenance, engineering and related technical occupations.
Health Care and Human Services
Health care providers, senior services and community-based organizations create demand for clinical, technical, administrative and direct-care professionals.
Business and Administrative Services
Experience in sales, customer service, accounting, finance, information technology, office administration and business operations.
Education and Public Services
Schools, higher education, local government and other public institutions provide stable employment and help develop the region’s future workforce.
Construction and Skilled Trades
Construction firms and skilled-trade employers serve residential, commercial, agricultural and industrial customers throughout Northwest Minnesota.
Labor Force and Workforce Engagement
Pennington County residents demonstrate a strong connection to work during their prime working years. Short average commute times also make employment accessible for area workers.
69%
Labor Force Participation Rate
7,516
Pennington County Labor Force
12.4
Average Commute in Minutes
Sources: Minnesota DEED 2026 Pennington County Profile and U.S. Census Bureau, 2020–2024 American Community Survey.
Education and Workforce Support
Local and regional partners help employers recruit workers, develop skills and respond to changing workforce needs.
Northland Community & Technical College
Northland provides employer-responsive training from its Thief River Falls campus. The College will assess an employer’s needs, customize course content and deliver training on a schedule and at a location that works for the business.
CareerForce and Regional Partners
CareerForce and regional workforce partners connect employers with recruitment assistance, job matching, worker training, work-based learning and programs for new and existing employees.
Advance Thief River
Advance Thief River helps businesses identify workforce needs and connect with local, regional and state partners. Assistance may include introductions to training providers, workforce programs and resources supporting business growth.
Contact Advance Thief River
Contact Michelle Landsverk, Executive Director of Advance Thief River with specific questions or to set up a meeting to discuss your needs.
Advance Thief River
Mailing Address
PO Box 773
Thief River Falls, MN 56701
Office
By Appointment Only
Spark Hub
(Inside Garden Valley Building)
1412 3rd Street West
Thief River Falls, MN 56701
(c) 2026 Advance Thief River. All rights reserved.