Plumber in Minnesota: Salary, License Requirements, and How to Start

Skilled trades

Minnesota employs 10,720 plumbers, with a statewide median of $94,410 and wide variation by city and experience. Here is the real wage data, the exact Minnesota licensing picture, and where to train.

What Plumbers Earn in Minnesota (May 2025)

Minnesota median pay: $94,410 (May 2025)
Starting range (10th percentile): $48,720
Experienced (75th percentile): $108,750
Top earners (90th percentile): $121,050
Employed in Minnesota: 10,720
U.S. median (for comparison): $62,970 (May 2024)

Wages vary substantially by metro. Median annual pay for plumbers in major Minnesota markets:

Minneapolis: $101,630 (6,730 employed)
St. Cloud: $90,230 (830 employed)
Duluth: $85,060 (420 employed)
Rochester: $84,880 (490 employed)
Fargo: $63,350 (670 employed)
Sioux Falls: $55,000 (810 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 $94,410 median stretches to roughly $95,751 in national buying-power terms.

Job Outlook in Minnesota (2024–2034)

Minnesota is projected to grow plumbers employment +7.4%, faster than the +4.5% projected nationally. The state expects about 850 openings a year, counting both growth and workers who retire or move on.

Minnesota License and Certification Requirements

Registered Apprentice → Journeyworker Plumber — regulated by the Minnesota Dept. of Labor & Industry (DLI).

Register with DLI as a plumber's apprentice and work under a licensed plumber.
Complete about 4 years of practical experience plus required related instruction.
Pass the Journeyworker plumber exam (Master license available with more experience).

Official requirements: Minnesota Dept. of Labor & Industry (DLI) →

Training in Minnesota

Earn-while-you-learn via UA Local apprenticeships, PHCC, or sponsoring plumbing contractors. Strong, recession-resistant demand statewide.

Real training providers and registered apprenticeships in Minnesota include:

Hennepin Technical College — Certificate
Minnesota State Community and Technical College — Certificate
Minnesota West Community and Technical College — Certificate
Northland Community and Technical College — Certificate

Is This the Right Move for You?

Best for: People who want durable demand and do not mind dirty, physical work.

Think twice if: You need clean environments, predictable hours, or low physical strain.

Why it's resilient: Plumbing is local, licensed, physical, urgent, and full of unpredictable building-specific constraints.

First Steps

Search state plumbing apprenticeship requirements and local union/non-union programs.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much do plumbers make in Minnesota?

The median wage for plumbers in Minnesota is $94,410 per year (May 2025, BLS). Entry-level pay (10th percentile) starts around $48,720, and top earners (90th percentile) make about $121,050. Pay varies by metro and years of experience.

What license or certification do you need to become a Plumber in Minnesota?

Registered Apprentice → Journeyworker Plumber, overseen by the Minnesota Dept. of Labor & Industry (DLI). Register with DLI as a plumber's apprentice and work under a licensed plumber.

Is being a Plumber a good career in Minnesota?

Plumbing is local, licensed, physical, urgent, and full of unpredictable building-specific constraints.

Which Minnesota metros pay plumbers the most?

Among Minnesota metro areas, Minneapolis leads at $101,630, followed by St. Cloud ($90,230), Duluth ($85,060). 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 a Plumber in Minnesota?

Real Minnesota options include Hennepin Technical College, Minnesota State Community and Technical College, Minnesota West Community and Technical College. Most plumbers start with an accredited program, then earn the credential the state or employer requires.

Is Plumber a growing career in Minnesota?

Minnesota projects plumbers employment to change +7.4% from 2024 to 2034, with about 850 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 47-2152. 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.