Plumber Salary in Minnesota 2026:
$68,400 Average ($32.88/hr)
Updated 17 April 2026
Minnesota plumbers earn $5,430 above the national median of $62,970. Here is the full breakdown by metro, experience level, and licensing.
Minnesota Median
$68,400/yr
Hourly Rate
$32.88/hr
vs National
+$5,430
Top 10% Earn
$102,400+
Where Minnesota Ranks Nationally
National Rank (Raw Pay)
#8
of 50 states
Cost of Living Index
98
100 = national average
COL-Adjusted Salary
$69,796
purchasing power equiv.
Plumber Pay by Metro Area in Minnesota
Wages vary significantly within the state. Major metros with strong union presence tend to pay the most.
| Metro Area | Median Annual |
|---|---|
| Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington | $74,400 |
| Rochester Metro | $64,000 |
| Duluth Metro | $58,800 |
| St. Cloud Metro | $60,800 |
| Mankato Metro | $56,400 |
Source: BLS OES May 2024 Metropolitan Area data. Figures are estimates based on available MSA data.
Pay by Experience Level in Minnesota
Career stage matters more than any other factor except geography. Here is what each level earns in Minnesota.
| Career Level | Hourly | Annual |
|---|---|---|
| Apprentice (Year 1) | $20 - $26/hr | $42,000 - $54,000 |
| Apprentice (Year 4) | $28 - $36/hr | $58,000 - $75,000 |
| Journeyman | $36 - $50/hr | $75,000 - $104,000 |
| Master Plumber (Employee) | $44 - $58/hr | $92,000 - $121,000 |
| Self-Employed Owner | $95 - $180/hr billed | $85,000 - $235,000 net |
Minnesota Plumbing License Requirements
To work legally as a plumber in Minnesota, you must hold the appropriate state license. Here is what is required.
Licensing Authority
Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry - Plumbing, Boiler and Construction Codes Division
Journeyman Requirement
4 years (7,000 hours) OJT plus passing the Minnesota Journeyman Plumber exam
Master Plumber Requirement
1 year as licensed journeyman + Minnesota Master Plumber exam
Reciprocity
Yes; Minnesota has reciprocity with North Dakota, South Dakota, and Wisconsin
Exam Fee
$60 exam + $75 license fee
Full 50-state licensing matrix: plumbing license requirements by state.
Union Plumbers in Minnesota
UA Local 15 (Minneapolis), UA Local 11 (St. Paul), UA Local 6 (Rochester), UA Local 589 (Duluth pipefitters). ~50% of plumbers in Twin Cities are union (one of the highest in the country).
Union plumbers in Minnesota typically earn 25 to 40 percent more in total compensation (base wages plus health insurance, pension, and annuity) compared to non-union plumbers at the same experience level. See the full comparison at union vs non-union plumber pay.
Job Outlook in Minnesota
Minnesota offers one of the best blends in the country: pay above the national median, cost of living roughly at the national average, and one of the highest union density rates in the country. UA Local 15 in Minneapolis is a benchmark Local for the Upper Midwest in total package value. Mayo Clinic's Rochester expansion creates consistent commercial mechanical demand. The Twin Cities corporate footprint (Target, UnitedHealth, 3M, Best Buy, Cargill) sustains office and data-centre construction at scale. Minnesota's strong apprenticeship infrastructure means apprentice pay starts above the national entry-level band.
Biggest Employers in Minnesota
- +M.A. Mortenson
- +Kraus-Anderson Construction
- +Ryan Companies
- +McGough Construction
- +Adolfson & Peterson Construction