How to Become A Plumber in Minnesota
Minnesota employs approximately 10,720 plumbers according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $94,410 1. The state’s concentration of plumber jobs is 1.21x the national average, indicating strong demand. Nationally, plumber 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 plumber in Minnesota, including licensing requirements, training programs, and salary data.
Quick Answers About Becoming A Plumber in Minnesota
How do I become a plumber in Minnesota? Minnesota requires credentials such as Master Plumber License, Journeyworker Plumber License, Master High Pressure Pipefitter (HPP). 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 plumbers. The Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry oversees licensing 3. See the licensing section below for details.
What do plumbers earn in Minnesota? The median annual wage for plumbers 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.
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): $94,410 per year 1
Plumber License Requirements in Minnesota
The Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry oversees plumber licensing in Minnesota 3.
License Types
| License | Requirements |
|---|---|
| Master Plumber License | Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry (DLI) Master plumber: an individual who is skilled in the planning, superintending and the practical installation of plumbing, who is otherwise lawfully qual… |
| Journeyworker Plumber License | Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry (DLI) Plumbing License Types and Credentials Journeyman plumber: an individual, other than a master plumber, who, as a principal occupation, is engaged as an… |
| Master High Pressure Pipefitter (HPP) | The Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry (DLI) license individuals as master and journeyworker pipefitters. |
| Plumbing Contractor | Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry (DLI) Plumbing contractor: a person who may contract to perform or offer to perform plumbing work in all areas of the state provided the contractor has at al… |
| Journeyworker High Pressure Pipefitter (HPP) | The Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry (DLI) license individuals as master and journeyworker pipefitters. |
| Unlicensed High Pressure Pipefitter (HPP) Registration | Those who are not licensed as a master pipefitter or journeyworker pipefitter may assist in the installation of high pressure piping systems under the direct supervision of a licensed pipefitter, if t… |
| High Pressure Pipefitter (HPP) Contractor | Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry (DLI) Review High Pressure Piping Contractors High pressure piping contractors must first employ an individual who has a master pipefitter license. |
| Certified Pipelayer | An individual who has completed pipe-laying training in a program approved by the commissioner of the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry (DLI), and has a certificate to show record of the trai… |
| Unlicensed Individual -Plumbing Registration | Definition: any person, other than a journeyman or master plumber (or restricted master or restricted journeyman plumber), who, as a principal occupation, is engaged in working as an employee of a plu… |
| Unlicensed Individual -Water Conditioning Installer | Anyone performing water conditioning work in Minnesota must be licensed by the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry (DLI) or be a registered unlicensed plumber or water conditioning installer. |
| Water Conditioning Installer -Journeyman | Water conditioning installer: a person, other than a water conditioning contractor, who has demonstrated practical knowledge of water conditioning installation and servicing. |
| Water Conditioning Installer -Master | Water conditioning installer: a person, other than a water conditioning contractor, who has demonstrated practical knowledge of water conditioning installation and servicing. |
License information sourced from CareerOneStop 4.
Plumber 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]
Plumber Wages by Metro Area in Minnesota
Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters Wages by Metro Area in Minnesota
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (2025 OES data), plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters 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 | 6,730 | $101,630 | $92,030 | $51,370 | $121,720 |
| St. Cloud | 830 | $90,230 | $86,590 | $50,770 | $116,850 |
| Sioux Falls | 810 | $55,000 | $56,890 | $40,260 | $76,480 |
| Fargo | 670 | $63,350 | $65,900 | $45,460 | $82,830 |
| Rochester | 490 | $84,880 | $82,140 | $48,760 | $106,700 |
| Duluth | 420 | $85,060 | $80,110 | $46,300 | $109,350 |
| La Crosse-Onalaska | 280 | $82,610 | $82,140 | $49,770 | $105,590 |
| Grand Forks | 240 | $62,940 | $65,090 | $45,850 | $83,820 |
| Mankato | 130 | $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 2025.
Top Metros for Plumbers in Minnesota
The metropolitan areas listed below report the highest plumber 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 | 6,730 | $101,630 |
| St. Cloud | 830 | $90,230 |
| Rochester | 490 | $84,880 |
| Duluth | 420 | $85,060 |
| Mankato | 130 | $74,450 |
Federal Prevailing Wage in Minnesota
Under the Davis-Bacon Act, plumbers 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 $48.06 per hour in base pay plus $30.33 per hour in fringe benefits, for an effective hourly rate of about $78.39 (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 plumber work.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the job outlook for plumbers in Minnesota? Minnesota currently employs approximately 10,720 plumbers 1. Nationally, plumber employment is projected to grow 4.5% from 2024 to 2034 2.
Can I work as a plumber 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 plumbers earn in Minnesota compared to the national average? The median annual wage for plumbers in Minnesota is $94,410, which is $31,440 above the national median of $62,970 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) |