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In 2025, Leisure & Hospitality accounted for almost 25,000 jobs in Southeast Minnesota on an annual average basis, roughly 10% of all regional employment.
6/12/2026 2:11:25 PM
Amanda Blaschko
Every summer, Southeast Minnesota's labor market shifts. Employers in Leisure & Hospitality – the super sector that includes Arts, Entertainment & Recreation and Accommodation & Food Services – staff up to meet demand from visitors and residents alike. From campgrounds and marinas along the Mississippi to golf courses and outdoor amphitheaters, these businesses are a defining feature of the regional economy each summer.
In 2025, Leisure & Hospitality accounted for almost 25,000 jobs in Southeast Minnesota on an annual average basis, roughly 10% of all regional employment. However, the sector has not always grown. From 2019 to 2020, the pandemic wiped out roughly 5,080 jobs, a 21% decline that represented 37% of all job losses across the region, making it one of the hardest-hit sectors.
Five years later, the sector has more than made up the ground it lost. Job levels now exceed pre-pandemic levels by 800 jobs. Arts, Entertainment & Recreation led the way, adding 521 jobs since 2019, accounting for 65% of the sector's total growth. Most of those gains came from Fitness & Recreational Sports Centers, which are up 238 jobs (26.9%), and Golf Courses & Country Clubs, which have gained 180 jobs (22.5%). These are businesses that serve residents as well as tourists, suggesting the sector's growth is rooted in the region's quality of life, not just outside visitor traffic. Collectively, these businesses generate $643 million in total payroll, reflecting the sector's substantial contribution to the regional economy.
| Table 1. Industry Statistics in Southeast Minnesota, 2025 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Industry | Number of Jobs | Number of Establishments | Total Payroll | Avg. Annual Wage |
| Total, All Industries | 248,923 | 13,690 | $17,250,927,359 | $69,264 |
| Leisure & Hospitality | 24,970 | 1,481 | $643,579,683 | $25,740 |
| Arts, Entertainment & Recreation | 4,620 | 297 | $134,419,925 | $29,172 |
| Performing Arts, Spectator Sports & Related | 285 | 72 | $6,761,121 | $24,492 |
| Museums, Historical Sites & Similar Institutions | 226 | 29 | $7,190,875 | $31,772 |
| Amusement, Gambling & Recreation Industries | 4,108 | 196 | $120,467,929 | $29,380 |
| Accommodation & Food Services | 20,350 | 1,184 | $509,159,758 | $24,960 |
| Accommodation | 2,885 | 158 | $88,897,461 | $30,784 |
| Food Services & Drinking Places | 17,465 | 1,027 | $420,262,297 | $24,024 |
| Source: Quarterly Census of Employment & Wages | ||||
Across Southeast Minnesota's eleven counties, Goodhue and Winona lead the region with share of employment in Leisure & Hospitality, making up 16.3% and 12.5% of total employment, respectively. Both sit along the Mississippi River in the bluff country, an area that draws visitors for hiking, boating, and other scenic tourism. Fillmore County rounds out the top three at 10.6%. At the other end, Mower (8.1%), Dodge (8.2%) and Steele (8.5%) post the lowest shares of total employment in Leisure & Hospitality, all falling below both the regional (10%) and statewide share (9.7%).
Jobs in these industries are in higher demand during summer months and typically have low education and training requirements. Critical occupations in these industries include:
The Leisure & Hospitality sector connects visitors and residents to the places and experiences that make Southeast Minnesota worth living in and worth visiting. If you are looking for things to do in Southeast Minnesota, check out Explore Minnesota for outdoor recreation, scenic byways, and family-friendly attractions across the region.
For more information about industry employment trends in Southeast Minnesota, contact Amanda Blaschko at Amanda.Blaschko@state.mn.us.
