Thayer County Workforce

Businesses in Thayer County benefit from a highly motivated workforce who understands the necessary skills needed for the industries represented in the region such as Agriculture, Manufacturing and Healthcare and Social Assistance. It’s common for county residents to have exposure to agricultural - either by growing up on a farm, working on one or having family who does. This farm work ethic can be translated to any industry and comes down to a willingness to work early and work hard. 

Employees in Thayer County are 3 to 4 generations deep and are willing to rise early and stay late to get the task at hand completed with excellence. In addition, Southeast Community College Learning Center offers adult training/workforce development programs that include customized programs made easy for employees to dive in. 

Workforce Recruitment

People enjoy living and working in Thayer County for the high quality of life and growth opportunities.  With Lincoln only an hour north east along highway 81, it is easy to attract younger talent graduating from local universities who are interested in industries Thayer County has to offer. Younger eager employees combined alongside with the experienced hard-at-work talent pool are a recipe for success. In addition, the cost of living is low and the school systems are ranked high. These assets are some of the reasons why residents choose to call Thayer County home. 

State and local workforce programs can also help with recruitment and training. 

Business and Workforce Data

The most common job groups held by individuals who live in Thayer County are Health Care and Social Assistance, Manufacturing, Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing and Hunting and Retail Trade. These industries make up individuals in the workforce that are experienced in management, production, office and administration.

Booming Occupations in Thayer County

The top Industries include:

  • Agriculture
  • Manufacturing 
  • Office and Administrative Support
  • Healthcare
  • Management Occupations
  • Production Occupations
  • Sales and Related Occupation
  • Educational, Instructional and Library
  • Transportation Occupation 
  • Farming, Fishing and Forestry

Workforce

Total Businesses

379

Total Employed

3,126

Workers 16+

2,427

2026 Wholesale Trade Businesses

cp-industries

Businesses

16

Employed

880

2026 HealthCare / Social Assistance

cp-industries

Businesses

27

Employed

352

2026 Educational Services - Businesses

cp-industries

Businesses

12

Employed

275

2026 Construction Businesses

cp-industries

Businesses

23

Employed

266

2026 Public Administration

cp-industries

Businesses

33

Employed

219

2026 Retail Trade Businesses

cp-industries

Businesses

43

Employed

209

Some
High School

119

Graduated
High School

1,143

Associates
Degree

719

Bachelor's
Degree

603

Graduate
Degree

292

Average Commute Time

16 min.



Resident Commuters

1,912

Non-Resident Commuters

447

Drive Alone

2,008

Carpooled

189

Public

3

Work At Home

126

Source: ESRI, 2026-09-09