How to Become a Pipefitter in Minnesota (2026)

Updated September 2, 2026 | TradeCareerPath Editorial Team

Minnesota employs about 10,720 pipefitters earning a median $94,410 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Most pipefitters train through a trade school program or a registered apprenticeship before entering the field in Minnesota.

Compare Pipefitter Schools in Minnesota

BOC Score, tuition, graduation rate, and median graduate earnings from federal IPEDS and U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard data. Earnings are reported across all programs at the school (all majors), not a single trade. Distance is measured from the page's primary location.
#SchoolBOC Score (0–100)TuitionMedian grad earnings (all majors)Graduation rateOnlineDistance
172.6Contact school for pricing$60,58752%Yes*165 mi
268.7Contact school for pricing$49,85948%Yes*80 mi
366.6Contact school for pricing$49,70554%Yes*83 mi
464.5$5,908 - $17,194$54,58147%Yes*143 mi
563.7Contact school for pricing$58,69144%Yes*39 mi
661.2Contact school for pricing$57,49348%Yes*102 mi
758.9$5,940 - $16,032$59,90643%Yes*17 mi
858.5$6,491 - $17,408$52,39049%Yes*110 mi
956.2Contact school for pricing$53,11436%Yes*151 mi
1055.7Contact school for pricing$55,47350%Yes*160 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 10,720 pipefitters according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $94,410 1. The state’s concentration of pipefitter jobs is 1.21x the national average, indicating strong demand. Nationally, pipefitter employment is projected to grow 4.5% from 2024 to 2034, with about 44,000 openings per year 2. This page covers how to become a Pipefitter 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): $94,410 per year 1

Quick Answers About How to Become a Pipefitter in Minnesota

How to become a Pipefitter in Minnesota? Complete a training program or apprenticeship, gain work experience, and meet any state or employer requirements for pipefitters in Minnesota.

How long does it take? Most paths into the pipefitter 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 pipefitters earn in Minnesota? The median annual wage for pipefitters in Minnesota is $94,410 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $48,720 and experienced professionals can earn $121,050 or more 1.

How to Become a Pipefitter in Minnesota

  1. Finish high school or earn a GED. Most Minnesota training programs and registered apprenticeships require a high school diploma or GED to enroll.
  2. 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.
  3. Gain supervised work experience. Build documented on-the-job hours under a qualified supervisor as part of a registered apprenticeship or employer program in Minnesota.
  4. Earn your journey card or employer qualification. Complete the registered apprenticeship or approved program, earn the journey card or employer qualification used in Minnesota, and confirm contractor versus worker rules with the state before working unsupervised.

Steps and hour totals vary by credential level; confirm current requirements with the state board before you apply.

Pipefitter 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]

Pipefitter Wages by Metro Area in Minnesota

Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters Wages by Metro Area in Minnesota

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics ( OES data), plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters wages in Minnesota vary by metro area.

Metro AreaEmploymentMedian Annual WageAvg. Annual WageEntry Level
(10th pctile)		Experienced
(90th pctile)
Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington6,730$101,630$92,030$51,370$121,720
St. Cloud830$90,230$86,590$50,770$116,850
Sioux Falls810$55,000$56,890$40,260$76,480
Fargo670$63,350$65,900$45,460$82,830
Rochester490$84,880$82,140$48,760$106,700
Duluth420$85,060$80,110$46,300$109,350
La Crosse-Onalaska280$82,610$82,140$49,770$105,590
Grand Forks240$62,940$65,090$45,850$83,820
Mankato130$74,450$77,530$48,870$114,890

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 pipefitters in Minnesota? Minnesota currently employs approximately 10,720 pipefitters 1. Nationally, pipefitter 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 pipefitters earn in Minnesota compared to the national average? The median annual wage for pipefitters in Minnesota is $94,410, which is $31,440 above the national median of $62,970 according to BLS data 1.

In Minnesota

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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

  1. Bureau of Labor Statistics - Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics: https://www.bls.gov/oes/ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎

  2. Bureau of Labor Statistics - Employment Projections: https://www.bls.gov/emp/ ↩︎ ↩︎

  3. 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.

DataProviderVintage
Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)U.S. Bureau of Labor StatisticsMay 2025
Employment ProjectionsU.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics2024-2034
Integrated Postsecondary Education Data SystemNational Center for Education Statistics (IPEDS)2024
College Scorecard (school-level outcomes)U.S. Department of Educationlatest release
College Scorecard (field-of-study earnings)U.S. Department of Educationlatest release (updated 2026-06-12)
Occupational licensing requirementsCareerOneStop (U.S. Department of Labor)latest release (updated 2026-02-22)
Registered apprenticeship programsCareerOneStop / 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)