Construction Laborer
LIUNA Local 1091
Perform the essential physical work that makes every construction project run — site prep, concrete, demolition, and support across northern Minnesota.
Starting Pay
$18.67/hr
1st year apprentice
Journeyman Pay
$35.22/hr
~$70k/year
Apprenticeship
2 years
earn while you learn
Total Package
$95,000+
wages + benefits
Overview
The Work
Construction laborers from LIUNA Local 1091 perform the foundational work on construction sites across northern Minnesota — from the Iron Range to the Boundary Waters corridor. Local 1091 members do site preparation, excavation support, concrete pouring and finishing assistance, demolition, pipeline installation, and general construction support. The northern Minnesota market includes mine site construction and reclamation work, highway and infrastructure projects, and commercial construction in regional communities. Laborers work alongside every other trade, learning how an entire job site comes together.
Day One as an Apprentice
Your first day as a Local 1091 laborer you'll be assigned to a crew doing whatever needs doing — clearing debris, moving materials, helping set forms, or digging. In northern Minnesota that might be on a highway project, a mine site, or a commercial building in Hibbing or Virginia. You'll learn fast how different trades interact and what keeps a job site moving.
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 | $18.67/hr | ~$37k |
| 2 | 2nd Year Apprentice | $24.65/hr | ~$49k |
| 3 | Journeyman Laborer | $35.22/hr | ~$70k |
Benefits Package
Health and welfare coverage through LIUNA health fund. Pension contributions on hours worked. The shortest apprenticeship path in the trades — 2 years to journeyman status with full benefits.
Apprenticeship Program
2 years
Program Length
200 hrs
Classroom Hours
3,600 hrs
On-the-Job Hours
How to Apply
Contact LIUNA Local 1091 at (218) 722-7622. Requirements include a high school diploma or GED, a valid driver's license, and passing a drug test. Physical fitness is essential. Some positions on mine sites require additional safety certifications.
Application Windows
Applications accepted year-round. Northern Minnesota construction season runs May–October, but mine site and infrastructure work continues year-round. Contact the hall for current availability.
Requirements
General Requirements
- High school diploma or GED
- Valid driver's license
- 18 years of age
- Pass a drug test
- Physical fitness — this is demanding outdoor work
Physical Requirements
- Heavy lifting, digging, and repetitive physical labor
- Work outdoors in all northern Minnesota weather
- Operate hand tools, compactors, and small equipment
- Work on uneven terrain and active construction sites
Tools You'll Need
- Shovels, rakes, and hand tools (often provided)
- Personal PPE: hard hat, safety vest, steel-toed boots, gloves
- Respirator for demolition and hazardous material work
- Work gloves — heavy duty
Physical Demand
5/5
Technical Level
2/5
Union Hall
Market Outlook
High Demand
BLS projects 7% growth for construction laborers (SOC 47-2061) 2024–2034 (much faster than average) with about 149,400 annual openings nationally. MN DEED projects 8% growth 2022–2032 and about 3,300 annual openings statewide — one of the largest-volume skilled trades in Minnesota.
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 Northern Minnesota & Iron Range. 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 LIUNA Local 1091 or any union. Verify all information — including current pay rates, application windows, and requirements — directly with LIUNA Local 1091.