Minnesota's Outdoor Economy

The 2024 Bureau of Economic Analysis Outdoor Recreation Satellite Account data, released this past March, reveals the importance of outdoor recreation to Minnesota’s economy.

Minnesota's outdoor recreation workers earned an average of $64,354 in total compensation in 2024 — a figure that includes wages, salaries, and employer contributions to benefits like health insurance and retirement. 

That number exceeds average compensation for outdoor recreation workers in every neighboring state: Wisconsin ($57,411), Michigan ($55,414), Iowa ($52,363), and both Dakotas. And it's growing — total worker compensation rose 7% in 2024, ranking Minnesota 7th in the nation. These are not static, low-ceiling jobs.

Manufacturing alone accounts for 18.2% of Minnesota's outdoor recreation economy, well above the national rate of 13.1%. A significant portion of this sector's workforce is making things: watercraft, snowmobiles, outdoor equipment, and gear produced right here in Minnesota. Across retail, construction, accommodation, professional services, and manufacturing, the outdoor recreation economy isn't a niche — it's a cross-sector industry woven into the fabric of the state's broader economic life.

Minnesota's $13.9 billion outdoor recreation economy — 2.7% of state GDP, growing faster than the national average in 2024.

Outdoor recreation contributed a record-breaking $12 billion to Wisconsin's economy

New data from the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis shows that the outdoor recreation industry in Wisconsin reached another milestone in 2024, contributing $12 billion to the state's economy. That marks a 3.8% increase over the previous year and the third consecutive year of record-breaking growth.

The outdoor industry supported more than 100,000 jobs in 2024 and generated $5.7 in wages, reaching into communities of every size.

Travel tied to outdoor recreation, trips taken more than 50 miles from home, rose 7.2%. At the same time, close-to-home outings increased as well, showing that outdoor access is not just about big trips, but everyday opportunities.

Outdoor recreation is a major economic driver for Wisconsin. From tourism to manufacturing to retailers and outfitters, it is a job-supporting industry that provides the quality of life Wisconsin residents enjoy. Each year, the Outdoor Recreation Satellite Account of the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis measures the economic activity of outdoor recreation across the nation and for each state. ​

$12 billion contributed to the state’s gross domestic product (GDP)

3.8% growth year over year

100,139​​ jobs across diverse sectors 

3.2% share of all state employment

$5.7​ billion in compensation provided to Wisconsinites