Web site offers chance to compare salaries

With holiday spending on the minds of many consumers this last weekend before Christmas, a state Web site will let workers compare their salaries.

Minnesota's largest and most comprehensive salary survey with updated information on wages and employment became available this month from the Department of Employment and Economic Development's Labor Market Information Office.

Those earning more than $30 per hour are likely to be in management, legal or computer professional fields. Food preparation, personal care and building maintenance jobs generally are paying less than $10 per hour.

The state's median wage is $14.77 per hour and $16.13 per hour in the 13-county Twin Cities metro area compared to $13.66 per hour nationwide. The state reported the median wage earned by Minnesotans "exceeded that earned nationally in all but four of the 22-major occupational groups."

Information on more than 770 detailed occupations is available online at www.mnwfc.org/lmi/oes. And more information is available for salaries nationwide at www.SalarySurvey.org.

Brainerd Lakes Regional Airport travelers have an opportunity to win a round-trip ticket to anywhere Northwest Airlines flies in the contiguous United States. All they have to do to qualify is fill out a survey that will give airport authorities a better idea of where airport customers are coming from, how often they are using the airport, how tickets are purchased, how services are rated or could be improved and whether trips are for business or pleasure. One question asks air travelers how much they would be willing to pay for a one-way ticket to the Twin Cities.

Mark Parrish, vice president with Wealth Enhancement Group, will head an office opening Jan. 2 on Golf Course Drive in Baxter. Parrish, Brainerd, joined the Wealth Enhancement Group in February 2001. His experience includes co-owner of Brekken's Clothiers and more recently as a financial adviser in a Brainerd lakes area bank.

Parrish is a graduate of Brainerd High School and the University of Minnesota-Duluth.

The Norway Brook Motel in Pine River is changing to the Brookside Comfort Care, an assisted living facility for the elderly as of Jan. 1, the Pine River Chamber reported. The new facility will provide assisted living and home care, 24-hour staffing, meals and private and semi-private rooms.

New owners abounded in the area. Richard and Linda Carlson are new owners of the Spur Station in Little Falls. The buildings were purchased originally from Cenex and turned into a convenience store/gas station/bait shop.

Mike Parker Sr., Mike Parker Jr., Brent Parker and Linda Parker are new owners of Don's Food Pride on First Street in Little Falls.

Bill and Jane Leitheiser purchased the former Del's Bar on First Street in Little Falls and renamed it Pug's Pub.

In Aitkin, Rodney Sparks is the new owner of Woods & Shores Real Estate Inc. on Minnesota Avenue.

All American Homes, a division of Builders Services and Construction, is in Aitkin with owner Larry Jorgensen. He constructs modular homes.