About TradesMinn
TradesMinn is a free, independent resource helping people across Minnesota explore union trade careers. We cover 46 union locals spanning 24 trades — from the Twin Cities to the Iron Range.
Every trade profile includes verified pay scales (sourced from Minnesota prevailing wage data), apprenticeship details, physical requirements, and direct contact information for union halls.
Our matching quiz scores all 46 locals against your interests, work style, physical preferences, and location to surface the trades that fit you best. It takes about 2 minutes.
Why This Exists
Union trade careers offer excellent pay, full benefits, and zero student debt — but they're poorly understood compared to four-year college paths. Most people don't know how many trades exist, what the work actually looks like, or how to apply.
TradesMinn is designed to close that information gap. We make it easy to explore, compare, and take action on trade careers.
Data Sources
Wages: Every journeyman base hourly rate on this site is sourced from the Minnesota Department of Labor & Industry Commercial Prevailing Wage Schedule (effective 2025-12-22). These are certified rates derived from the governing collective bargaining agreement for each county. Rates are base hourly only — total compensation including health, pension, and annuity is higher.
Apprentice progression: Calculated as standard percentages of journeyman scale (a typical industry pattern). Actual CBA progressions may differ by a few percentage points.
Demand outlook: 10-year growth projections are sourced from Minnesota DEED 2022–2032 Employment Projections and the BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook (2024–2034 cycle). Trade categories (high / medium / low) are based on a 6% growth threshold, matching BLS's "faster than average" designation.
Hall info:Addresses, phone numbers, and program details are sourced from individual union local websites and the Minnesota Building & Construction Trades Council. We aim for accuracy but recommend verifying directly with each local.
Disclaimer: TradesMinn is not affiliated with any union, apprenticeship program, or contractor association. All pay scales and program details are informational and may not reflect current rates. Always verify directly with the relevant union local before making decisions.