Carpenter
UBC Local 930
Build, install, and repair structures and fixtures in commercial, residential, and industrial construction.
Starting Pay
$19.77/hr
1st year apprentice
Journeyman Pay
$39.55/hr
~$79k/year
Apprenticeship
4 years
earn while you learn
Total Package
$105,000+
wages + benefits
Overview
The Work
Carpenters from UBC Local 930 work across the St. Cloud metro and central Minnesota region. The area's growing construction market includes data center projects, commercial buildings, and institutional work at St. Cloud State University. You'll handle framing, concrete formwork, finish carpentry, and general construction on a variety of project types as central Minnesota continues to expand.
Day One as an Apprentice
Your first day you'll report to a job site in the St. Cloud area and meet your journeyman mentor. Expect to start with material handling, safety orientation, and learning your way around a working construction site. The first weeks focus on blueprint reading basics, tool use, and understanding how a crew operates.
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 | $19.77/hr | ~$40k |
| 2 | 2nd Year Apprentice | $23.73/hr | ~$47k |
| 3 | 3rd Year Apprentice | $29.66/hr | ~$59k |
| 4 | 4th Year Apprentice | $33.62/hr | ~$67k |
| 5 | Journeyman Carpenter | $39.55/hr | ~$79k |
Benefits Package
Full family health insurance, defined-benefit pension through the UBC, annuity savings, and paid vacation. Central Minnesota's affordable cost of living paired with union wages and benefits makes for a strong financial position.
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. Contact the St. Augusta hall for local orientation schedules.
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
- Reliable transportation — job sites are spread across central Minnesota
- 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 St. Cloud & Central Minnesota. 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 930 or any union. Verify all information — including current pay rates, application windows, and requirements — directly with UBC Local 930.