Where is Primitive Ways located?

Primitive Ways is headquartered in Ihlen, Minnesota, but may have operations in other locations within the MFG Durable sector.

What does Primitive Ways do?

According to the company's overview, Indigenous skills, bushcraft, Stone Age technology, wilderness skills, workshops and classes, articles on primitive technology, archaeology, and more.

What industry is Primitive Ways in?

Primitive Ways operates in the MFG Durable industry.

Primitive Ways Average Salary, Pay Ranges & Benefits

Primitive Ways Salary

Yearly Salary Hourly Rate Monthly Salary Weekly Salary

Find Out My True Value AI-powered Salary Insights

Salary at Primitive Ways

Current Job Openings at Primitive Ways

Ready for your next career move? Explore current job openings at Primitive Ways. Use the search tool below to find available positions by title and location and apply directly to start your career.

Is Primitive Ways’s Pay Competitive? Salary Benchmarking Analysis

How does Primitive Ways's compensation stack up against the industry and its key competitors? Our salary benchmarking analysis provides a clear comparison. The chart below visualizes this comparison alongside select peer companies.

Competitor / Benchmark	Avg. Salary	Variance	Primary Market Influence Factor & Explanation
Freeport Finishing	$98,276	+17.0%	Adjusted for higher cost-of-living indices in Freeport Finishing's primary metro hubs.
cmp-wwm.com	$95,976	+14.3%	Driven by niche technical certifications required for cmp-wwm.com's specialized projects.
Bauer Welding & Metal Fabricators Inc	$99,636	+18.6%	Reflects structural premiums typical of Bauer Welding & Metal Fabricators Inc's large-cap national operations.
McGill Industries LLC	$102,178	+21.6%	Reflects a supply-demand imbalance for the specific talent McGill Industries LLC targets.
MFG Durable Industry	$121,746	+44.9%	Pay variances are driven by organizational scale, specialized skill requirements, or geographic cost-of-living factors.

Need More Granular Data? The analysis above provides a high-level market overview. To benchmark specific job codes, adjust for real-time cost-of-living changes, or access verified HR-reported datasets, upgrade to Salary.com for Business. Precision matters when building your compensation strategy.

How Primitive Ways's Salaries Compare to Similar Companies?

Explore companies in the same industry to compare average salaries, benefits, and career opportunities with those at Primitive Ways. Click a company name to learn more.

Freeport Finishing

$98,276 / year

Salary Range: $86,522 - $110,989

Isanti, MN

cmp-wwm.com

$95,976 / year

Salary Range: $84,488 - $108,392

, MN

Bauer Welding & Metal Fabricators Inc

$99,636 / year

Salary Range: $87,713 - $112,525

Saint Paul, MN

McGill Industries LLC

$102,178 / year

Salary Range: $89,949 - $115,403

Minneapolis, MN

Merc Industries Inc

$102,453 / year

Salary Range: $90,197 - $115,708

Saint Paul, MN

Inc Affinity Diversified Industries

$100,733 / year

Salary Range: $88,675 - $113,769

Chanhassen, MN

Ice Castle

$88,107 / year

Salary Range: $77,560 - $99,502

Montevideo, MN

Decimet Sales Inc

$100,776 / year

Salary Range: $88,721 - $113,818

Rogers, MN

Hammerbeck Industries Inc

$94,953 / year

Salary Range: $83,590 - $107,233

Buffalo, MN

Employee Reviews: Working at Primitive Ways

Considering a career at Primitive Ways? Explore authentic employee reviews to learn about the work environment, career growth opportunities, pay transparency and benefits. These first-hand insights can help you set realistic compensation expectations and make informed career decisions.

The company offers competitive pay and benefits, but workplace culture can feel formal and structured. The experienced workforce maintains time-tested quality standards while adopting the latest smart manufacturing technologies. Strong workforce, the company maintains a robust culture of operational excellence and continuous improvement. Recognition programs celebrate hard work regularly.

Commented in June 01, 2025

17

3

Safety is a priority. Everyone knows their role and executes it well. Flexible scheduling options allow employees to balance personal and professional commitments.

Commented in December 03, 2024

44

1

I greatly appreciate commitment to innovation and adopting cutting-edge technologies. Leadership communicates company goals clearly and celebrates team achievements. Pay is fair, and it is somehow outstanding. The company invests in equipment and people equally. Performance expectations are fair, but the pace can drag during seasons.

Commented in June 13, 2024

34

2

Regular training and a focus on continuous improvement mean we're always getting better at what we do. Supervisors know your name, and coworkers look out for each other. This place genuinely wants employees to succeed and encourages participation at every level of decision-making. I truly enjoy the problem-solving aspects of my role here. Career growth is possible but often requires patience. A ve...

Commented in May 01, 2024

34

1

This resilience is a testament to the strong culture and teamwork cultivated within the company. The continuous improvement mindset keeps the job interesting and rewarding. The culture emphasizes problem-solving and accountability, and recognition is regularly given for performance. They provide the tools and training needed to succeed and prioritize a safe working environment above all else. Safe...

Commented in March 23, 2024

24

0

What Benefits Does Primitive Ways Offer Beyond Salary?

A competitive compensation package is more than just a salary. Primitive Ways offers a comprehensive benefits package designed to support your health, financial future, and overall well-being. Below are the most common key benefits:

Social Security

401(K)

Disability

Healthcare

Pension

Time Off (days)

Work at Primitive Ways?

Share your experience

How Much Should You Be Earning?

Get an estimated calculation of how much you should be earning and insight into your career options.

Get estimated pay range See more details

What Is the Cost of Living Near Minneapolis?

Understanding the cost of living near Minneapolis is key to truly evaluating a salary offer or your current compensation at Primitive Ways.

Minneapolis' Cost of Living Index is approximately 104.8 (4.8% more expensive than US average; 7.9% more than MN average). Major city, vibrant, housing costs above US avg, cold winters (high heating). Metro Transit. When planning your budget based on a salary from Primitive Ways, consider these typical monthly expenses:

Expense Category	Estimated Monthly Cost	Key Considerations / Notes
Housing (1-BR Apt Rent)	$1,400 - $2,100+	A significant portion of Primitive Ways salary. Location choices impact this heavily.
Utilities (Basic)	$130 - $230 (Heating significant)	Electricity, Heating, Cooling, Water etc.
Public Transportation	$120 (Metro Transit monthly pass)	Essential for most commuters; car ownership is costly.
Groceries (Single Person)	$430 - $630	Can be higher with more dining out or specialty stores.
Personal & Leisure	$450 - $800+	Dining out, entertainment, shopping. Highly variable.
Healthcare (Individual)	$390 - $720+	Varies significantly by plan & employer contribution.
Subtotal (Excluding Taxes)	$2,920 - $4,480+	This subtotal does not include income taxes (federal, state, local), which can significantly impact your take-home pay.

FAQs of Primitive Ways

1. How much does a Primitive Ways employee make?

Primitive Ways pays its employees an average of $84,004 per year. The average salary at Primitive Ways range from $73,950 to $94,881 per year. It's important to remember that these are overall averages, actual salaries vary significantly based on specific job titles, years of experience, skills, and location.

2. Which similar company tend to pay more or less than Primitive Ways?

The salary at Primitive Ways is lesser than the similar company. The average annual salary at Primitive Ways is $84,004, or an hourly wage of $40, in comparison to Freeport Finishing which pays $98,276 per year or $47 per hour.

3. Do employees with advanced degrees (Master's, PhD) earn more at Primitive Ways?

In many roles at Primitive Ways, particularly those requiring specialized knowledge or research capabilities (e.g., certain engineering, scientific, or financial roles), an advanced degree like a Master's or PhD can lead to a higher starting salary and faster career progression, thus higher earnings. However, for some roles, direct experience and skills might be valued as much or more than an advanced degree. The impact varies by field and specific job requirements.

4. How does the cost of living near Minneapolis affect the perceived value of a Primitive Ways salary?

Minneapolis' Cost of Living Index is approximately 104.8 (4.8% more expensive than US average; 7.9% more than MN average). This significantly impacts the purchasing power of a salary from Primitive Ways based there. Our "Cost of Living Insights for Minneapolis" module details this impact, helping you assess the 'real feel' value of your compensation.

5. What kind of benefits does Primitive Ways typically offer employees?

Primitive Ways generally offers a range of employee benefits designed to support their workforce's health, financial well-being, and work-life balance. Comprehensive health insurance (medical, dental, vision), a 401(k) retirement savings plan (often with a company match), paid time off (PTO), and potentially disability and life insurance are included. For a more detailed list of benefits, please see our "Employee Benefits at Primitive Ways" section on this page.