How to Become a Plumber in Minnesota

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How to Become a Plumber in Minnesota

Maybe you are considering becoming a plumber in Minnesota.

If so, you also need some info on how to get licensed and trained for the job.

Read on this article that will shed some light on the process.

Plumber Job Description and Requirements

As a plumber in Minnesota, you can set up water systems.

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You will also be in charge of repairing them and keeping them in check.

The following job duties are more common to be performed every day:

  • Reading or drafting blueprints
  • Installing the piping system
  • Maintaining the water system
  • Repairing the system whenever needed
  • Ensuring the safety standards
  • Meeting building regulations
  • Using the appropriate devices to measure or solder

In Minnesota, you can apply for the following licenses:

  • Apprentice license,
  • Journeyman license,
  • Master license

How to Become an Apprentice in Minnesota

In this state, you can work as a plumber even while you are an apprentice.

You can either learn the trade from a licensed plumber or join a trade school.

Joining a trade school will help you develop your skills in a more organized manner.

In school, you will take both theory and practice.

The theory classes often include the below topics:

The theory classes include the next subjects:

  • Drafting,
  • Mathematics,
  • Science,
  • Sprinkler installation,
  • Pipefitting
  • Reading blueprints

Keep in mind that the program you choose should be accredited by the board of plumbers in Minnesota.

There are also some requirements to attend an apprenticeship program.

These include the following:

  • Be 16 years old
  • High-school diploma or a GED
  • Driver’s license or ID copy
  • Copy of the birth certificate
  • Proof of US citizenship
  • Paying a $14 fee
  • Pass a background check
  • Pass a drug test

You will also need to register your apprenticeship with the state board.

As an apprentice, you can also perform work if you are overseen by a journeyman or master plumber.

How to get a Journeyman License in Minnesota

As a journeyman plumber, you can install or fix water systems without any supervision.

You can work independently or be employed by a plumbing firm.

You have to first pass a test before you can get licensed.

The subject of the exam include:

  • Plumbing fundamentals and safety;
  • Materials used, and specifications;
  • Traps, interceptors, and backwater valves;
  • Plumbing fixtures, fixture fittings, and plumbing appliances;
  • Water supply systems;
  • Backflow preventions;
  • Gas appliances and piping;
  • Plumbing mathematics.

You will need to meet some requirements before you can apply for the exam.

These requirements are:

  • Be 18 years olf at the minimum
  • Submit an application form and a $50 licensing fee
  • Be a registered apprentice
  • 7,000 hours of hands-on experience over a period of 4 years
  • 2,000 hours of hands-on experience in water distribution systems
  • 2,000 hours of hands-on experience in drain, waste, and vent systems
  • 1,000 hours of hands-on experience in fixture installation
  • Pass the licensing journeyman plumber exam

To be eligible for the exam, you need to pay a fee of $120.

Keep in mind that in this state, journeymen are called journey workers.

How to Get a Master License in Maryland

In order to get the master plumber license, you have to meet the following requirements:

  • Job experience of 5 years
  • And one of the below:
  • A journey worker plumbing license in Minnesota
  • A restricted master plumbing certification and a plumbing code compliance bond
  • Send in an application for licensure
  • Submit a $50 fee
  • Pass the master plumber exam

Before you can schedule your exam, you should also pay a $120 exam fee.

The subjects in the exam are:

  • Plumbing fundamentals and safety;
  • Materials, their uses, and specifications;
  • Traps, interceptors, and backwater valves;
  • Plumbing fixtures, fixture fittings, and plumbing appliances;
  • Water supply systems;
  • Backflow prevention;
  • Drain, waste, and vent systems;
  • Special topics;
  • Gas appliances and piping;
  • Plumbing mathematics.

Plumber Employment and Salary Information

In Minnesota, plumbers make an average of $30.82 an hour.

As an apprentice or unlicensed plumber as it called in Minnesota, you will make about $15 an hour.

Annual Salary Range:
$44K
$58K
$75K
10%
50%
90%
Annual Salary by Location:
Location Avg. Annual Salary
Minneapolis $61,328
St. Paul $61,328
Rochester $55,750
Duluth $54,599
St. Cloud $54,634
Eden Prairie $61,225
Lakeville $60,948
Burnsville $61,156
Minnetonka $61,328
Moorhead $54,006

Regional Salary in Minnesota

Region Employed Avg. Annual Salary Avg. Hourly Pay Top 10% Annual Salary Bottom 10% Annual Salary
Duluth, MN-WI390$80,130$38.52$105,480$47,320
Mankato-North Mankato, MN170$72,620$34.91$99,060$48,440
Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI6,010$85,890$41.29$119,740$49,440
Rochester, MN500$81,810$39.33$106,020$49,100
St. Cloud, MN960$72,890$35.04$94,390$49,160
* Salary information based on the May 2023 Occupational Employment Statistics (OES) Survey for Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters, OCC Code 47-2152, BLS.
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.

Additional Information

Minnesota has reciprocity agreements with North Dakota and South Dakota.

This means that you can work in Minnesota without applying for a license again if you are licensed in the above 2 states.

However, in order for this to apply, you need to have your current license for at least a year before relocating.

You will also have to submit the $50 licensing fee.

The most important aspect of becoming a plumber in this state is to enroll in a school.

This will allow you to learn more about the trade and have a successful career in the industry later on.

Schools Offering Plumbing Programs in Minnesota

School Name Address
St. Paul College 235 Marshall Avenue Saint Paul, MN 55102
St. Cloud Technical & Community College 1540 Northway Drive St. Cloud, MN 56303
Plumbers Local 15 8625 Monticello Ln N., Suite 2 Maple Grove MN 55369
Hennepin Technical College 9000 Brooklyn Blvd, Brooklyn Park, Minnesota 55445
Minnesota State Community and Technical College 1414 College Way, Fergus Falls, Minnesota 56537-1000
Minnesota West Community and Technical College 1593 11th Ave, Granite Falls, Minnesota 56241
Northland Community and Technical College 1101 Hwy One East, Thief River Falls, Minnesota 56701
Northwest Technical College 905 Grant Avenue SE, Bemidji, Minnesota 56601-4907
Ridgewater College 2 Century Ave SE Hutchinson, MN 55350
University of Minnesota 1994 Buford Avenue, 20 Ruttan Hall, Saint Paul, MN 55108
My Plumbing Training 17694 28th Ave N Glyndon, MN 56547
Midway Vo-Tech 1355 Geneva Ave N. Suite #102 Oakdale MN 55128
Plumbers Local 34 353 7th St W #104, St Paul, MN 55102
Skilled Trade CE, LLC 1660 S. Highway 100 Suite 500, St. Louis Park, MN 55416
Northern Mechanical & Iron Range Plumbing & Pipefitting Joint Apprenticeship Training Committee 4402 Airpark Blvd, Duluth, MN 55811
Minneapolis Pipefitters Journeyman and Apprentice Training Committee • Local 539 6200 Lakeland Avenue North Brooklyn Park, MN 55428-2937
UA PLUMBERS LOCAL UNION NO.15 8625 Monticello Ln. N, Suite 1 Maple Grove, MN 55369
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