How to Become An Electrician in Minnesota
Minnesota employs approximately 14,350 electricians according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $78,160 1. Nationally, electrician employment is projected to grow 9.5% from 2024 to 2034, with about 81,000 openings per year 2. This page covers how to become an electrician in Minnesota, including licensing requirements, training programs, and salary data.
Quick Answers About Becoming An Electrician in Minnesota
How do I become an electrician in Minnesota? Minnesota requires credentials such as Maintenance Electrician, Master Electrician Class A, Class A Journeyworker Electrician. The licensing authority is the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry 3. You also need to complete an approved training program or apprenticeship.
How long does it take? Most paths take 1 to 5 years depending on whether you choose trade school, an apprenticeship, or a combination of both.
Do I need a license in Minnesota? Yes. Minnesota has licensing or registration requirements for electricians. The Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry oversees licensing 3. See the licensing section below for details.
What do electricians earn in Minnesota? The median annual wage for electricians in Minnesota is $78,160 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $47,480 and experienced professionals can earn $118,820 or more 1.
At a Glance
- Training paths: trade school, community college, or apprenticeship
- Typical timeline: 1 to 5 years depending on the path
- Licensing authority: Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry
- Median wage (Minnesota): $78,160 per year 1
Electrician License Requirements in Minnesota
The Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry oversees electrician licensing in Minnesota 3.
License Types
| License | Requirements |
|---|---|
| Maintenance Electrician | Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry (DLI) Personal license experience and education requirements Maintenance electrician, the minimum total is 48 months, including: planning for the installatio… |
| Master Electrician Class A | Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry (DLI) Personal license experience and education requirements Class A master electrician, the minimum total is 60 months, including: planning for the installa… |
| Class A Journeyworker Electrician | An individual having the necessary qualifications, training, experience, and technical knowledge to perform and supervise any electrical work except for planning or laying out of electrical work. |
| Electrical Contractors | Chapter 1315 of the State Building Code adopts a national standard for the installation of electrical wiring, apparatus and equipment for electric light, heat, power, technology circuits and systems,… |
| Unlicensed Individual -Electrical and Power Limited Registration | Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry (DLI) A registered unlicensed individual is limited to performing electrical work: within the scope of the employer’s authority to perform the electrical wor… |
License information sourced from CareerOneStop 4.
Electrician 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 5.
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]
Electrician Wages by Metro Area in Minnesota
Electricians Wages by Metro Area in Minnesota
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (2025 OES data), electricians 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 | 8,810 | $81,890 | $83,850 | $48,970 | $123,250 |
| Sioux Falls | 1,330 | $61,470 | $62,220 | $46,150 | $80,860 |
| Fargo | 920 | $76,950 | $71,440 | $46,800 | $100,320 |
| St. Cloud | 730 | $81,890 | $80,770 | $47,860 | $103,540 |
| Duluth | 680 | $82,700 | $80,590 | $47,060 | $110,010 |
| Rochester | 510 | $79,650 | $80,850 | $46,090 | $118,080 |
| Grand Forks | 350 | $69,710 | $67,500 | $44,670 | $94,790 |
| La Crosse-Onalaska | 320 | $78,760 | $77,680 | $45,800 | $108,870 |
| Mankato | 260 | $83,120 | $81,700 | $50,140 | $100,770 |
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 2025.
Top Metros for Electricians in Minnesota
The metropolitan areas listed below report the highest electrician employment within Minnesota according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025).
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage |
|---|---|---|
| Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington | 8,810 | $81,890 |
| St. Cloud | 730 | $81,890 |
| Duluth | 680 | $82,700 |
| Rochester | 510 | $79,650 |
| Mankato | 260 | $83,120 |
Explore electrician programs in Minneapolis, St. Cloud, and Duluth.
Federal Prevailing Wage in Minnesota
Under the Davis-Bacon Act, electricians 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 $48.37 per hour in base pay plus $26.13 per hour in fringe benefits, for an effective hourly rate of about $74.50 (Source: DOL Wage and Hour Division, Davis-Bacon wage determinations, 2026) 6.
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 electrician work.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the job outlook for electricians in Minnesota? Minnesota currently employs approximately 14,350 electricians 1. Nationally, electrician employment is projected to grow 9.5% from 2024 to 2034 2.
Can I work as an electrician in Minnesota with an out-of-state license? Contact the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry for details on reciprocity and credential transfer.
What training programs are available in Minnesota? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and apprenticeship programs. Use the school finder above to search for accredited programs in Minnesota. You can also contact the Apprenticeship Minnesota for apprenticeship opportunities.
How much do electricians earn in Minnesota compared to the national average? The median annual wage for electricians in Minnesota is $78,160, which is $15,810 above the national median of $62,350 according to BLS data 1.
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/ ↩︎ ↩︎
Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry - Licensing Information: http://www.dli.mn.gov/CCLD/Forms.asp ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
CareerOneStop - Licensed Occupations: https://www.careeronestop.org/Toolkit/Training/find-licenses.aspx ↩︎
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) |