Electrician in Minnesota: Salary, License Requirements, and How to Start
Skilled trades
Minnesota employs 14,350 electricians, with a statewide median of $78,160 and wide variation by city and experience. Here is the real wage data, the exact Minnesota licensing picture, and where to train.
What Electricians Earn in Minnesota (May 2025)
- Minnesota median pay
- $78,160 (May 2025)
- Starting range (10th percentile)
- $47,480
- Experienced (75th percentile)
- $101,410
- Top earners (90th percentile)
- $118,820
- Employed in Minnesota
- 14,350
- U.S. median (for comparison)
- $62,350 (May 2024)
Wages vary substantially by metro. Median annual pay for electricians in major Minnesota markets:
- Duluth
- $82,700 (680 employed)
- Minneapolis
- $81,890 (8,810 employed)
- St. Cloud
- $81,890 (730 employed)
- Rochester
- $79,650 (510 employed)
- Fargo
- $76,950 (920 employed)
- Sioux Falls
- $61,470 (1,330 employed)
What That Pay Is Worth in Minnesota
Prices in Minnesota run about 1% below the national average (cost-of-living index 98.6 vs a U.S. baseline of 100, 2024), so the $78,160 median stretches to roughly $79,270 in national buying-power terms.
Job Outlook in Minnesota (2024–2034)
Minnesota is projected to grow electricians employment +13.2%, faster than the +9.5% projected nationally. The state expects about 1,490 openings a year, counting both growth and workers who retire or move on.
Minnesota License and Certification Requirements
Registered Unlicensed Electrician (apprentice) → Journeyworker Electrician — regulated by the Minnesota Dept. of Labor & Industry (DLI).
- Register with DLI as an unlicensed electrician so your hours count — start working under a licensed electrician.
- Accumulate the required on-the-job hours (about 4 years / ~8,000 hours) plus related classroom instruction.
- Pass the Journeyworker electrician exam; later you can move up to Master.
Official requirements: Minnesota Dept. of Labor & Industry (DLI) →
Training in Minnesota
Earn while you learn through IBEW/NECA, IEC, or ABC apprenticeships. Twin Cities, Rochester, and Duluth have steady demand.
Real training providers and registered apprenticeships in Minnesota include:
- Anoka Technical College — Certificate
- Dakota County Technical College — Certificate / Associate
- Dunwoody College of Technology — Associate
- Fond du Lac Tribal and Community College — Associate
Is This the Right Move for You?
Best for: People who like tools, systems, problem solving, and earning while they train.
Think twice if: You need desk-only work or dislike tight spaces, heights, job sites, and physical risk.
Why it's resilient: Electrical work is site-specific, licensed, safety-critical, and often requires hands-on diagnosis in messy real buildings.
First Steps
Look for IBEW, IEC, ABC, or state apprenticeship openings near you.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do electricians make in Minnesota?
The median wage for electricians in Minnesota is $78,160 per year (May 2025, BLS). Entry-level pay (10th percentile) starts around $47,480, and top earners (90th percentile) make about $118,820. Pay varies by metro and years of experience.
What license or certification do you need to become an Electrician in Minnesota?
Registered Unlicensed Electrician (apprentice) → Journeyworker Electrician, overseen by the Minnesota Dept. of Labor & Industry (DLI). Register with DLI as an unlicensed electrician so your hours count — start working under a licensed electrician.
Is being an Electrician a good career in Minnesota?
Electrical work is site-specific, licensed, safety-critical, and often requires hands-on diagnosis in messy real buildings.
Which Minnesota metros pay electricians the most?
Among Minnesota metro areas, Duluth leads at $82,700, followed by Minneapolis ($81,890), St. Cloud ($81,890). Local pay tracks regional demand and cost of living, so the highest-paying metro isn't always the best net move.
Where can I train to become an Electrician in Minnesota?
Real Minnesota options include Anoka Technical College, Dakota County Technical College, Dunwoody College of Technology. Most electricians start with an accredited program, then earn the credential the state or employer requires.
Is Electrician a growing career in Minnesota?
Minnesota projects electricians employment to change +13.2% from 2024 to 2034, with about 1,490 openings a year — a growing field in the state.
Sources and Verification
Wage data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025), Minnesota statewide and metro estimates for SOC 47-2111. Licensing summary compiled from the Minnesota Dept. of Labor & Industry (DLI) (2026-06-11). Requirements change — always confirm current rules with the board and verify program costs and outcomes before enrolling.
BLS Occupational Outlook · O*NET Minnesota wages · Minnesota licensing/certification source
Employment projections: Projections Central / BLS Employment Projections (2024–2034); Cost of living: BEA Regional Price Parities.
Pay percentiles describe current workers, not entry-level offers; training costs and local demand vary, so verify locally before committing money or quitting a job.