Plumber / Pipefitter Apprenticeships in Minnesota
Minnesota has 20 registered apprenticeship sponsors training plumber / pipefitters — 12 of them union or joint labor-management programs. Apprentices earn a wage from day one and finish without tuition debt.
Registered sponsors
20
Union / joint programs
12
Median plumber / pipefitter wage
$83,280
Minnesota, all experience levels
Job growth 2022–2032
+5.6%
1,030 openings/yr
Largest Registered Sponsors
Union and joint labor-management programs are listed first — they typically pay the best apprentice rates and charge no tuition.
| Sponsor | City | Program type |
|---|---|---|
| Boise White Paper, LLC Union / joint | International Falls | Single Employer |
| CENTERPOINT ENERGY & IBEW LOCAL 949 Union / joint | MINNEAPOLIS | Single Employer |
| CENTERPOINT ENERGY & UA LOCAL 340 Union / joint | MINNEAPOLIS | Single Employer |
| MINNEAPOLIS PLUMBERS JAC Union / joint | MAPLE GROVE | Multiple Employer |
| Minneapolis St. Paul Sprinkler Fitters JAC Union / joint | SHOREVIEW | Multiple Employer |
| MPLS PIPEFITTERS JAC Union / joint | Brooklyn Park | Multiple Employer |
| NORTHERN MECHANICAL & IRON RANGE PLB & P Union / joint | DULUTH | Multiple Employer |
| SE MN PLUMBERS AND STEAMFITTERS JAC Union / joint | ROCHESTER | Multiple Employer |
| ST PAUL PIPEFITTERS JJATC Union / joint | Saint Paul | Multiple Employer |
| ST PAUL PLUMBERS JAC Union / joint | Eagan | Multiple Employer |
Source: U.S. Department of Labor, Registered Apprenticeship sponsors (apprenticeship.gov).
What Plumber / Pipefitters Earn in Minnesota
Wages
- Median annual wage: $83,280
- Average annual wage: $83,470
- Plumber / Pipefitters employed statewide: 8,520
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2024. Apprentices typically start at 40–50% of the journeyman rate and get scheduled raises.
10-year outlook
- Projected growth 2022–2032: +5.6%
- Average openings per year: 1,030
- Employment: 11,110 → 11,730
Source: Projections Central / state workforce agencies.
Prefer the school route? Compare Plumber / Pipefitter programs
Minnesota Licensing for Plumber / Pipefitters
Wells and Borings: Elevator Boring Contractor
- Education: Undetermined
- Experience: Undetermined
- Exam: Undetermined
- Continuing education: Undetermined
Issuing agency: Minnesota Department of Health · agency website
Wells and Borings: Limited Pump, Pitless and Screen Contractor
- Education: Undetermined
- Experience: Undetermined
- Exam: Undetermined
- Continuing education: Undetermined
Issuing agency: Minnesota Department of Health · agency website
Wells and Borings: Well Contractor (Current)
- Education: Undetermined
- Experience: Undetermined
- Exam: Undetermined
- Continuing education: Undetermined
Issuing agency: Minnesota Department of Health · agency website
Wells and Borings: Limited Well Sealing Contractor
- Education: Undetermined
- Experience: Undetermined
- Exam: Undetermined
- Continuing education: Undetermined
Issuing agency: Minnesota Department of Health · agency website
Multipurpose Potable Water Piping System Installer Certificate
- Education: Undetermined
- Experience: Undetermined
- Exam: Undetermined
- Continuing education: Undetermined
Issuing agency: Minnesota Department of Public Safety · agency website
Journeyworker High Pressure Pipefitter (HPP)
- Education: Undetermined
- Experience: Undetermined
- Exam: Undetermined
- Continuing education: Undetermined
Issuing agency: Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry · agency website
Certified Pipelayer
- Education: Undetermined
- Experience: Undetermined
- Exam: Undetermined
- Continuing education: Undetermined
Issuing agency: Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry · agency website
Backflow Prevention Certification
- Education: Undetermined
- Experience: Undetermined
- Exam: Undetermined
- Continuing education: Undetermined
Issuing agency: Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry · agency website
Master Plumber License
- Education: Undetermined
- Experience: Undetermined
- Exam: Undetermined
- Continuing education: Undetermined
Issuing agency: Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry · agency website
Wells and Borings: Explorer Company / Responsible Individual / Drilling Machines & Hoist Registration
- Education: Undetermined
- Experience: Undetermined
- Exam: Undetermined
- Continuing education: Undetermined
Issuing agency: Minnesota Department of Health · agency website
Multipurpose Potable Water Piping System Journeyman Certificate
- Education: Undetermined
- Experience: Undetermined
- Exam: Undetermined
- Continuing education: Undetermined
Issuing agency: Minnesota Department of Public Safety · agency website
High Pressure Pipefitter (HPP) Contractor
- Education: Undetermined
- Experience: Undetermined
- Exam: Undetermined
- Continuing education: Undetermined
Issuing agency: Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry · agency website
Journeyworker Plumber License
- Education: Undetermined
- Experience: Undetermined
- Exam: Undetermined
- Continuing education: Undetermined
Issuing agency: Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry · agency website
Master High Pressure Pipefitter (HPP)
- Education: Undetermined
- Experience: Undetermined
- Exam: Undetermined
- Continuing education: Undetermined
Issuing agency: Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry · agency website
Unlicensed High Pressure Pipefitter (HPP) Registration
- Education: Undetermined
- Experience: Undetermined
- Exam: Undetermined
- Continuing education: Undetermined
Issuing agency: Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry · agency website
Multipurpose Potable Water Piping System Contractor License
- Education: Undetermined
- Experience: Undetermined
- Exam: Undetermined
- Continuing education: Undetermined
Issuing agency: Minnesota Department of Public Safety · agency website
Plumbing Contractor
- Education: Undetermined
- Experience: Undetermined
- Exam: Undetermined
- Continuing education: Undetermined
Issuing agency: Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry · agency website
Underground Storage Tank (UST) Contractor/Supervisor Certificate
- Education: Undetermined
- Experience: Undetermined
- Exam: Undetermined
- Continuing education: Undetermined
Issuing agency: Minnesota Pollution Control Agency · agency website
Unlicensed Individual -Plumbing Registration
- Education: Undetermined
- Experience: Undetermined
- Exam: Undetermined
- Continuing education: Undetermined
Issuing agency: Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry · agency website
Source: CareerOneStop License Finder (U.S. Department of Labor). Time spent in a registered apprenticeship generally counts toward license experience requirements.