How to Become a Carpenter in Minnesota (2026)
Minnesota employs about 14,930 carpenters earning a median $64,930 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Most carpenters train through a trade school program or a registered apprenticeship before entering the field in Minnesota.
Compare Carpenter Schools in Minnesota
| # | School | BOC Score (0–100) | Tuition (published, per year) | Median grad earnings (all majors) | Graduation rate | Online | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ridgewater College | 68.7 | $6,121 | $49,859 | 50% | Yes* | 89 mi |
| 2 | Northwood Technical College | 66.6 | $4,926 in-state / $7,169 out-of-state | $49,705 | 56% | Yes* | 82 mi |
| 3 | St Cloud Technical and Community College | 63.7 | $6,124 | $58,691 | 45% | Yes* | 61 mi |
| 4 | South Central College | 60.0 | $6,146 | $52,003 | 39% | Yes* | 68 mi |
| 5 | Riverland Community College | 59.3 | $6,298 | $49,768 | 52% | Yes* | 91 mi |
| 6 | Hennepin Technical College | 58.9 | $5,940 | $59,906 | 42% | Yes* | 11 mi |
| 7 | Minnesota West Community and Technical College | 58.5 | $6,491 | $52,390 | 52% | Yes* | 113 mi |
| 8 | Minnesota State College Southeast | 51.4 | $6,432 | $51,496 | 47% | Yes* | 105 mi |
| 9 | Rochester Community and Technical College | 50.7 | $6,389 | $55,258 | 29% | Yes* | 78 mi |
| 10 | Saint Paul College | 48.2 | $6,326 | $52,870 | 40% | Yes* | 8 mi |
Schools closest to the page's primary location are gathered first, then ranked by BOC Score; distance from the page's primary location is shown for reference. The BOC Score is an independent measure of school outcomes (graduation, earnings, net price, retention) expressed as a 0–100 percentile within each school's peer group; higher is better and advertising never affects it. *Online availability refers to coursework; hands-on trade training is completed in person. Read the full methodology.
Minnesota employs approximately 14,930 carpenters according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $64,930 1. Nationally, carpenter employment is projected to grow 4.5% from 2024 to 2034, with about 74,100 openings per year 2. This page covers how to become a Carpenter in Minnesota, including requirements, training programs, and salary data.
At a Glance
- Training paths: trade school, community college, or apprenticeship
- Typical timeline: 1 to 5 years depending on the path
- Median wage (Minnesota): $64,930 per year 1
Quick Answers About How to Become a Carpenter in Minnesota
How to become a Carpenter in Minnesota? Complete a training program or apprenticeship, gain work experience, and meet any state or employer requirements for carpenters in Minnesota.
How long does it take? Most paths into the carpenter field take 1 to 5 years, depending on whether you complete a trade school program, a registered apprenticeship, or a combination of both.
What do carpenters earn in Minnesota? The median annual wage for carpenters in Minnesota is $64,930 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $46,590 and experienced professionals can earn $99,130 or more 1.
How to Become a Carpenter in Minnesota
- Finish high school or earn a GED. Most Minnesota training programs and registered apprenticeships require a high school diploma or GED to enroll.
- Complete a training program or apprenticeship. Enroll in an approved trade school program or a registered apprenticeship in Minnesota that combines classroom instruction with supervised hands-on hours.
- Gain supervised work experience. Build documented on-the-job hours under a qualified supervisor; confirm the exact total currently required with the licensing board.
- Meet state and employer requirements. Confirm any registration, certification, or employer requirements that apply to carpenters in Minnesota before you start working.
Steps and hour totals vary by credential level; confirm current requirements with the state board before you apply.
Carpenter Apprenticeship Information in Minnesota
Apprenticeships combine paid on-the-job training with classroom instruction and typically last 3 to 5 years. Minnesota’s apprenticeship program is administered by the Apprenticeship Minnesota 3.
Contact Information:
- Office: Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry, Apprenticeship Unit
- Address: 443 Lafayette Road, St. Paul, MN 55155-4303
- Phone: (651) 284-5090
- Email: [email protected]
Federal Prevailing Wage in Minnesota
Under the Davis-Bacon Act, carpenters working on federally funded construction projects in Minnesota earn a prevailing wage set by the U.S. Department of Labor. Recent Minnesota general wage determinations show approximately $36.55 per hour in base pay plus $29.03 per hour in fringe benefits, for an effective hourly rate of about $65.58 (Source: DOL Wage and Hour Division, Davis-Bacon wage determinations, 2026) 4.
Prevailing wages apply to federal construction contracts above the Davis-Bacon threshold and may differ from typical private-sector pay reported by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Rates also vary by county and by classification within carpenter work.
Carpenter Wages by Metro Area in Minnesota
Carpenters Wages by Metro Area in Minnesota
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics ( OES data), carpenters wages in Minnesota vary by metro area.
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage | Avg. Annual Wage | Entry Level (10th pctile) | Experienced (90th pctile) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington | 10,200 | $74,060 | $74,570 | $49,920 | $100,830 |
| Sioux Falls | 1,640 | $49,410 | $52,940 | $39,090 | $67,530 |
| Fargo | 880 | $58,940 | $59,130 | $44,530 | $76,900 |
| Duluth | 620 | $60,520 | $63,590 | $44,350 | $90,030 |
| St. Cloud | 570 | $60,600 | $63,910 | $45,570 | $89,510 |
| Rochester | 460 | $63,610 | $67,060 | $45,610 | $95,810 |
| La Crosse-Onalaska | 450 | $58,950 | $62,240 | $45,930 | $83,600 |
| Grand Forks | 290 | $57,440 | $56,860 | $44,320 | $76,130 |
| Mankato | 230 | $61,150 | $61,860 | $45,900 | $78,220 |
Wages reflect survey data and vary based on experience, credentials, employer, and local market conditions. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May .
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the job outlook for carpenters in Minnesota? Minnesota currently employs approximately 14,930 carpenters 1. Nationally, carpenter employment is projected to grow 4.5% from 2024 to 2034 2.
What training programs are available in Minnesota? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and apprenticeship programs. Use the school finder above to search for programs in Minnesota. You can also contact the Apprenticeship Minnesota for apprenticeship opportunities.
How much do carpenters earn in Minnesota compared to the national average? The median annual wage for carpenters in Minnesota is $64,930, which is $5,620 above the national median of $59,310 according to BLS data 1.
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Citations
About this guide: Researched and written by the TradeCareerPath Editorial Team. Our editorial team researches and sources every trade school and career guide using federal labor and education data, including BLS OEWS and Employment Projections, DOL apprenticeship records, IPEDS, College Scorecard, and state licensing boards. We follow the editorial standards documented at /editorial-policy/.
References
Bureau of Labor Statistics - Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics: https://www.bls.gov/oes/ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
Bureau of Labor Statistics - Employment Projections: https://www.bls.gov/emp/ ↩︎ ↩︎
Apprenticeship Minnesota: https://secure.doli.state.mn.us/apprenticeshipsponsor/ ↩︎
U.S. Department of Labor, Wage and Hour Division - Davis-Bacon General Wage Determinations: https://sam.gov/wage-determinations ↩︎
Data sources
Figures on this page are sourced from the federal and state datasets below. Methodology: how we rank and source data.
| Data | Provider | Vintage |
|---|---|---|
| Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics | May 2025 |
| Employment Projections | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics | 2024-2034 |
| Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System | National Center for Education Statistics (IPEDS) | 2024 |
| College Scorecard (school-level outcomes) | U.S. Department of Education | latest release |
| College Scorecard (field-of-study earnings) | U.S. Department of Education | latest release (updated 2026-06-12) |
| Occupational licensing requirements | CareerOneStop (U.S. Department of Labor) | latest release (updated 2026-02-22) |
| Registered apprenticeship programs | CareerOneStop / Apprenticeship.gov (U.S. Department of Labor) | latest release (updated 2025-10-25) |
| O*NET occupation profiles (skills, tasks, tools, job zones) | U.S. Department of Labor (O*NET / Employment & Training Admin.) | O*NET 29.1 (updated 2026-06-13) |