How to Become a Construction Trades Worker in Minnesota (2026)
Minnesota employs about 28,530 construction trades workers earning a median $60,260 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Most construction trades workers train through a trade school program or a registered apprenticeship before entering the field in Minnesota.
Key Facts
- Median wage (Minnesota): $60,260/yr (Source: BLS OEWS, 2025)
- Employed in Minnesota: 28,530 workers (Source: BLS OEWS, 2025)
- Location quotient: 1.37x U.S. average (Source: BLS OEWS, 2025)
- Projected growth: 7.3% (2024-2034) (Source: BLS Employment Projections, 2024)
Sponsored - request program info
Compare Construction Trades Worker Schools in Minnesota
| # | School | BOC Score (0–100) | Tuition | Median grad earnings (all majors) | Graduation rate | Online | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Northwood Technical College | 66.6 | Contact school for pricing | $49,705 | 54% | Yes* | 83 mi |
| 2 | Chippewa Valley Technical College | 61.2 | Contact school for pricing | $57,493 | 48% | Yes* | 102 mi |
| 3 | Lake Superior College | 61.0 | $5,785 - $19,723 | $57,665 | 40% | Yes* | 117 mi |
| 4 | Central Lakes College-Brainerd | 60.4 | $6,249 - $19,543 | $50,357 | 51% | Yes* | 78 mi |
| 5 | Hennepin Technical College | 58.9 | $5,940 - $16,032 | $59,906 | 43% | Yes* | 17 mi |
| 6 | Century College | 52.6 | Contact school for pricing | $54,401 | 27% | Yes* | 31 mi |
| 7 | Rochester Community and Technical College | 50.7 | Contact school for pricing | $55,258 | 27% | Yes* | 105 mi |
| 8 | Pine Technical & Community College | 50.2 | Contact school for pricing | $52,498 | 38% | Yes* | 40 mi |
| 9 | North Hennepin Community College | 49.7 | Contact school for pricing | $60,483 | 19% | Yes* | 17 mi |
| 10 | Saint Paul College | 48.2 | Contact school for pricing | $52,870 | 36% | Yes* | 32 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 28,530 construction trades workers according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $60,260 1. The state’s concentration of construction trades worker jobs is 1.37x the national average, indicating strong demand. Nationally, construction trades worker employment is projected to grow 7.3% from 2024 to 2034, with about 129,400 openings per year 2. This page covers how to become a Construction Trades Worker 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): $60,260 per year 1
Quick Answers About How to Become a Construction Trades Worker in Minnesota
How to become a Construction Trades Worker in Minnesota? Complete a training program or apprenticeship, gain work experience, and meet any state or employer requirements for construction trades workers in Minnesota.
How long does it take? Most paths into the construction trades worker 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 construction trades workers earn in Minnesota? The median annual wage for construction trades workers in Minnesota is $60,260 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $42,950 and experienced professionals can earn $96,150 or more 1.
How to Become a Construction Trades Worker 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 construction trades workers in Minnesota before you start working.
Steps and hour totals vary by credential level; confirm current requirements with the state board before you apply.
Construction Trades Worker 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]
Construction Trades Worker Wages by Metro Area in Minnesota
Construction Laborers Wages by Metro Area in Minnesota
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics ( OES data), construction laborers 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 | 17,330 | $61,970 | $67,800 | $43,860 | $96,670 |
| Fargo | 1,760 | $49,340 | $55,680 | $44,020 | $77,350 |
| St. Cloud | 1,470 | $57,820 | $62,000 | $44,490 | $91,110 |
| Duluth | 1,390 | $61,340 | $64,290 | $43,620 | $89,430 |
| Rochester | 990 | $59,390 | $64,990 | $37,690 | $93,970 |
| Sioux Falls | 700 | $46,850 | $45,410 | $36,470 | $57,680 |
| La Crosse-Onalaska | 610 | $58,900 | $57,440 | $38,900 | $75,880 |
| Grand Forks | 510 | $49,070 | $52,940 | $41,120 | $66,140 |
| Mankato | 340 | $59,350 | $60,030 | $43,930 | $78,580 |
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 construction trades workers in Minnesota? Minnesota currently employs approximately 28,530 construction trades workers 1. Nationally, construction trades worker employment is projected to grow 7.3% 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 construction trades workers earn in Minnesota compared to the national average? The median annual wage for construction trades workers in Minnesota is $60,260, which is $13,530 above the national median of $46,730 according to BLS data 1.
Related guides
In Minnesota
Top local programs
- Best Construction Trades Schools in Albert Lea, Minnesota (2026)
- Best Construction Trades Schools in Alexandria, Minnesota (2026)
- Best Construction Trades Schools in Andover, Minnesota (2026)
- Best Construction Trades Schools in Anoka, Minnesota (2026)
- Best Construction Trades Schools in Apple Valley, Minnesota (2026)
- Best Construction Trades Schools in Arden Hills, Minnesota (2026)
- Best Construction Trades Schools in Austin, Minnesota (2026)
- Best Construction Trades Schools in Bemidji, Minnesota (2026)
- Best Construction Trades Schools in Big Lake, Minnesota (2026)
- Best Construction Trades Schools in Blaine, Minnesota (2026)
- Best Construction Trades Schools in Bloomington, Minnesota (2026)
- Best Construction Trades Schools in Brainerd, Minnesota (2026)
Related trades & nearby areas
- Best Carpenter Schools in Minnesota (2026)
- Best Electrician Schools in Minnesota
- Best HVAC Schools in Minnesota (2026)
- Best Plumber Schools in Minnesota
- Best Plumbing Schools in Minnesota (2026)
- Best Welder Schools in Minnesota
Explore More Trades in Minnesota
- Electrician in Minnesota
- Plumber in Minnesota
- HVAC Technician in Minnesota
- Welder in Minnesota
- Carpenter in Minnesota
- Solar Installation Technician in Minnesota
- Auto Mechanic in Minnesota
- CNC Machinist in Minnesota
- Certified Nursing Assistant in Minnesota
- Medical Assistant in Minnesota
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/ ↩︎
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) |