Carpenter
UBC Local 322
Build, install, and repair structures and fixtures in commercial, residential, and industrial construction.
Starting Pay
$24.28/hr
1st year apprentice
Journeyman Pay
$48.56/hr
~$97k/year
Apprenticeship
4 years
earn while you learn
Total Package
$130,000+
wages + benefits
Overview
The Work
Carpenters from UBC Local 322 — the largest carpenter local in Minnesota with roughly 5,500 members — handle a wide range of construction work across the Twin Cities metro. Day-to-day tasks include concrete formwork, rough framing, finish carpentry, drywall, acoustical ceiling installation, and cabinetry. You'll work on everything from high-rise office towers and hospital expansions to apartment complexes and retail buildouts. The Twin Cities metro's ongoing construction boom provides steady, year-round employment for skilled carpenters.
Day One as an Apprentice
Your first day you'll report to a commercial job site and meet your journeyman mentor. Expect to start with material handling, layout assistance, and learning to read blueprints. Early weeks focus on job-site safety, basic tool use, and understanding how a framing or formwork crew operates from the ground up.
This trade is
Pay Scale
Pay increases each year of the apprenticeship as a percentage of the journeyman rate. All rates are hourly; estimated annual at 2,000 hrs/year.
| Year | Stage | Hourly | Annual Est. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1st Year Apprentice | $24.28/hr | ~$49k |
| 2 | 2nd Year Apprentice | $29.14/hr | ~$58k |
| 3 | 3rd Year Apprentice | $36.42/hr | ~$73k |
| 4 | 4th Year Apprentice | $41.28/hr | ~$83k |
| 5 | Journeyman Carpenter | $48.56/hr | ~$97k |
Benefits Package
Full family health insurance, defined-benefit pension through the UBC, annuity savings, and paid vacation. The total compensation package makes union carpentry competitive with many salaried careers.
Apprenticeship Program
4 years
Program Length
720 hrs
Classroom Hours
7,000 hrs
On-the-Job Hours
How to Apply
Apply through the Northern Midwest Regional Council of Carpenters at nmcarpenters.com. You'll need a high school diploma or GED, valid driver's license, and to pass a basic aptitude assessment. Walk-in orientations are held at the training center — check the website for current dates.
Application Windows
Applications are accepted on a rolling basis. Check nmcarpenters.com for current orientation and intake dates.
Requirements
General Requirements
- High school diploma or GED
- Valid driver's license
- At least 18 years old at time of application
- Physically able to perform demanding construction work
- Drug-free workplace — pre-employment drug test required
Physical Requirements
- Ability to lift and carry up to 75 lbs regularly
- Comfortable working at heights on scaffolding and ladders
- Standing, bending, and kneeling for extended periods
- Working outdoors in all Minnesota weather conditions
Tools You'll Need
- Basic hand tools (hammer, tape measure, speed square, chalk line, utility knife)
- Work boots (steel-toed required)
- Hard hat and safety glasses (often provided by employer)
Physical Demand
4/5
Technical Level
3/5
Union Hall
Market Outlook
Steady Demand
BLS projects 5% growth for carpenters (SOC 47-2031) 2024–2034 (faster than average) with about 74,100 annual openings nationally. MN DEED projects 4% growth in Minnesota 2022–2032 with about 1,990 annual openings statewide.
Next Steps
Ready to learn more or apply? Here's what to do right now.
Wage source: Journeyman base hourly rate is sourced from the Minnesota Department of Labor & Industry Commercial Prevailing Wage Schedule (effective 2025-12-22), which is derived from the prevailing collective bargaining agreement for Twin Cities Metro. Total package (with fringe benefits) is higher than the base rate shown. Apprentice progression rates are calculated as standard percentages of journeyman scale and may differ slightly from the actual CBA. This page is not affiliated with UBC Local 322 or any union. Verify all information — including current pay rates, application windows, and requirements — directly with UBC Local 322.