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

383

Total Employed

2,925

Workers 16+

2,404

2025 HealthCare / Social Assistance

cp-industries

Businesses

29

Employed

540

2025 Educational Services - Businesses

cp-industries

Businesses

12

Employed

464

2025 Wholesale Trade Businesses

cp-industries

Businesses

16

Employed

451

2025 Public Administration

cp-industries

Businesses

33

Employed

229

2025 Retail Trade Businesses

cp-industries

Businesses

43

Employed

203

2025 Other Service excl Pub Admin

cp-industries

Businesses

63

Employed

154

Some
High School

133

Graduated
High School

1,098

Associates
Degree

543

Bachelor's
Degree

618

Graduate
Degree

247

Average Commute Time

14 min.



Resident Commuters

2,002

Non-Resident Commuters

344

Drive Alone

1,986

Carpooled

150

Public

1

Work At Home

155

Source: ESRI, 2025-09-30