Plumber & Pipefitter Apprenticeship in Minnesota

Wages, programs & career outlook
MN Median Salary
$83,280/yr
+32% vs. national
National Median
$62,970/yr
MN Employment
8,520
Plumber & Pipefitters employed
MN Sponsors
495
Registered programs

Minnesota Wage Spread

Annual wages for Plumber & Pipefitters in Minnesota across all experience levels.

10th %ile
$48,870
25th %ile
$60,480
Median
$83,280
75th %ile
$103,570
90th %ile
$121,380

Plumber & Pipefitter Apprenticeship in Minnesota

Plumber & Pipefitters in Minnesota earn a median of $83,280/yr — 73% above the national all-occupation median of $48,060. That puts this apprenticeship path well into upper-middle-income territory for the state.

Minnesota Plumber & Pipefitters earn $83,280/yr — a 32% premium over the $62,970 national median for the trade. Strong union presence or high demand likely drives the spread.

Looking ahead to 2034, Plumber & Pipefitter employment should expand by 4.5%. That translates to roughly 44,000 openings annually when you factor in retirements — enough to absorb most apprenticeship completers.

The Plumber & Pipefitter workforce in Minnesota (8,520 workers, 1.7% of national employment) is relatively small. Fewer employers means fewer apprenticeship slots — competition for available programs can be stiffer.

A Plumber & Pipefitter apprenticeship runs 4 years at 8,000 hours. The time-based structure means you're logging real work alongside experienced tradespeople from week one, learning mechanical systems, refrigerant handling, and equipment diagnostics in evening or weekend classes.

The 495 registered sponsors in Minnesota provide functional apprenticeship coverage for most of the state's population centers. Trade unions and contractor groups account for the majority of placements.

Wages for Plumber & Pipefitters in Minnesota range from $48,870 at the entry level to $121,380 for veterans — a $72,510 spread that maps directly to experience, certifications, and willingness to take on complex jobs.

Registered Apprenticeship Sponsors in Minnesota

495 registered apprenticeship sponsors in Minnesota. Contact directly for program availability and application details.

Organization City County
Kiminski Paving, Inc. 1441 Moorhead Rd
Visser Trenching Inc. Ada
Aitkin Public Utilities Aitkin
CareerForce in Aitkin Aitkin
Mille Lacs Energy Cooperative Aitkin
Riverwood Healthcare Center Aitkin Aitkin County
CareerForce in Albert Lea Albert Lea
ALP Utilities Alexandria
CareerForce in Alexandria Alexandria
Runestone Electric Association Alexandria
COMMERCIAL DRYWALL INC Andover
METRO AREA ROOFERS JAC Andover Anoka County
ROOFERS 96 DULUTH IRON RANGE JAC Andover Anoka County
ROOFERS 96 JAC S E Andover Anoka County
ROOFERS 96 STCLOUD/BRAINERD Andover Anoka County
CONNEXUS ENERGY Anoka Anoka County
STARTING LINE FLOOR COATINGS INC Apple Valley
BrightWorks Education Service Cooperative Arden Hills Hennepin County
Horizon Commercial Pools Arden Hills Ramsey County
Minnesota Teacher Joint Apprenticeship Training Committee Arden Hills Ramsey County
City of Aurora Aurora
Austin Utilities Austin
CareerForce in Austin Austin
Harty Mechanical Austin
Blattner Company Avon Harris County
+ 5 more sponsors in Minnesota

Frequently Asked Questions

What do Plumber & Pipefitters earn in Minnesota?
The median annual wage for Plumber & Pipefitters in Minnesota is $83,280 as of May 2024. Wages range from $48,870 at the 10th percentile to $121,380 at the 90th percentile.
How long is a Plumber & Pipefitter apprenticeship?
A typical Plumber & Pipefitter apprenticeship lasts approximately 4 years (8,000 hours of on-the-job training). The program combines paid work experience with related classroom instruction.
What's the difference between a Plumber & Pipefitter apprenticeship and trade school?
The key difference: apprenticeships pay you during training while trade schools charge tuition. Many employers prefer apprenticeship-trained Plumber & Pipefitters, but trade school can give you a head start on the classroom requirements.
What is the job outlook for Plumber & Pipefitters?
The BLS projects 4.5% employment growth for Plumber & Pipefitters through 2034 — steady demand. About 44000 positions open annually through both growth and retirements.
How do I find a Plumber & Pipefitter apprenticeship in Minnesota?
There are 495 registered apprenticeship sponsors in Minnesota. Start with your local IBEW, UA, or trade union office. You can also check apprenticeship.gov for listings and contact sponsors directly.
Do Plumber & Pipefitter apprentices get paid during training?
Yes. Apprentices earn wages from day one, typically starting at 40-60% of the journeyman rate (roughly $41,640/yr in Minnesota). Wages increase at regular intervals — usually every 6 months — as you progress through the program.

Plumber & Pipefitter in Other States

Other Apprenticeships in Minnesota

Data: Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS May 2024, DOL RAPIDS Registered Apprenticeship database, ApprenticeshipUSA Sponsor Directory.