Plumber in Minnesota

Requirements, salary data, licensing costs, and career ROI for MN. Updated with 2024 BLS OEWS wage data.

Median annual salary

$83,280

trending_up +32.3% vs. national

BLS OEWS 2024, Minnesota.

engineering

8,520

Jobs (MN)

monitoring Strong

+4.5%

10-yr job growth

payments

$250

Est. total cost

schedule

4 years (Journeyworker), 1 additional year (Master)

Time to complete

route How to become a plumber in Minnesota

To become a licensed Journeyworker Plumber in Minnesota, individuals must first register as an Unlicensed Individual with the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry (DLI) and complete 7,000 hours (four years) of practical plumbing experience. After meeting the experience requirements, applicants must pass the Minnesota Journeyman Plumber Examination. Master Plumbers need an additional year of experience as a licensed Journeyworker Plumber and must pass the Master Plumber exam. Minnesota offers reciprocity for Journeyworker and Master Plumber licenses with North Dakota and South Dakota.

bar_chart Salary percentiles

10th percentile (entry) $48,870

25th percentile $60,480

50th (median) $83,280

75th percentile $103,570

90th (experienced) $121,380

Source: BLS OEWS 2024 for Minnesota. Metro-area wages may differ significantly from the state aggregate.

checklist Minnesota requirements

Licensing body	Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry
State license	Required
Education	High school diploma or GED
Experience	7,000.0 hours
Exam	Minnesota Journeyman Plumber Examination ($50)
Application fee	$40
Renewal	Every 2.0 years
Continuing education	16.0 hours per cycle
Notes	Minimum age for Journeyworker and Master Plumber is 18 years. Master Plumber requires at least one year of practical plumbing experience as a licensed Journeyworker Plumber. The exam is based on the 2020 Minnesota Plumbing Code and requires a score of 70% or higher to pass. Unlicensed individuals must register with the DLI and renew annually with 2 hours of CE. Journeyworker licenses renew by Dec. 31 of odd-numbered years, and Master Plumber licenses renew by Dec. 31 of even-numbered years.

Source: Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry

workspace_premium Minnesota license tiers

Minnesota offers multiple tiers of plumber licensing:

Tier	Hours required
Unlicensed Individual (Apprentice)	N/A
Journeyman	7,000
Master	8,750

work_outline Job outlook

10-year growth

+4.5%

Faster than average

Annual openings

44,000

Nationwide per year

Total employment

504,500

Nationwide

neurology

AI & tech impact

verified Low exposure -1.12/1.00

This career has low exposure to AI automation. Most tasks require physical presence, human judgment, or hands-on skills that AI cannot easily replicate.

hub

balance Is it worth it?

Rough payback period

0 months

~$250 investment ÷ $83,280 median salary

check_circleMinnesota license required — clearer credential signal to employers
check_circleLow AI disruption risk

psychology

Wondering if a plumber career is the right fit?

See what the day actually looks like, who the role suits, and who should skip it — grounded in real practitioner sources.

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Frequently asked questions

How do you get certified as a plumber in Minnesota? expand_more

Minnesota requires plumbers to complete the required education (High school diploma or GED), gain 7,000.0 hours of supervised experience, pass the Minnesota Journeyman Plumber Examination, and submit your application ($40 fee).

Do I need a license to work as a plumber in Minnesota? expand_more

A state license is required in Minnesota. Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry handles plumber licensing — the Minnesota Journeyman Plumber Examination is part of the process.

What is the average plumber salary in Minnesota? expand_more

The median plumber salary in Minnesota is $83,280 per year. That's 32% above the national median of $62,970. Entry-level (10th percentile) starts at $48,870, while experienced professionals (90th percentile) earn $121,380.

What are the fees to become a plumber in Minnesota? expand_more

Between exam fee ($50) and application fee ($40), expect to invest around $250 in total to get started.

How many months or years does plumber certification take in Minnesota? expand_more

The typical timeline in Minnesota is 4 years (Journeyworker), 1 additional year (Master). This includes completing education, gaining any required experience, and passing the licensing exam.

Does Minnesota require continuing education for plumbers? expand_more

License renewal in Minnesota requires completing 16.0 hours of continuing education on a 2.0-year cycle.