Plumber in Minnesota
Requirements, salary data, licensing costs, and career ROI for MN
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.
Plumber Requirements in Minnesota
| Detail | Minnesota |
|---|---|
| Licensing Body | Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry |
| State License Required | Yes |
| Education | High school diploma or GED |
| Experience Required | 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. |
License Tiers
Minnesota offers multiple tiers of plumber licensing:
| Tier | Hours Required |
|---|---|
| Unlicensed Individual (Apprentice) | N/A |
| Journeyman | 7,000 |
| Master | 8,750 |
Plumber Salary in Minnesota
The median plumber salary in Minnesota is $83,280 per year, which is 32.3% above the national median of $62,970.
| Percentile | Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 10th (entry level) | $48,870 |
| 25th | $60,480 |
| 50th (median) | $83,280 |
| 75th | $103,570 |
| 90th (experienced) | $121,380 |
Minnesota employs approximately 8,520 plumbers.
Plumber Job Outlook
AI Impact on Plumbers
Low AI Exposure (Score: -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.
Is Becoming a Plumber in Minnesota Worth It?
With an estimated total investment of $250 and a median salary of $83,280 in Minnesota, the rough payback period is approximately 0 months.
Factors to consider: Minnesota's cost of living, the state licensing requirement, moderate job growth, low AI disruption risk, and your personal career goals.