Construction Laborer
LIUNA Local 1097
Perform site preparation, demolition, and general construction labor on mining, highway, and industrial projects.
Starting Pay
$21.13/hr
1st year apprentice
Journeyman Pay
$35.22/hr
~$70k/year
Apprenticeship
3 years
earn while you learn
Total Package
$95,000+
wages + benefits
Overview
The Work
Construction laborers from LIUNA Local 1097 perform site preparation, demolition, environmental remediation, and general construction labor across the Iron Range and northern Minnesota. Work centers on mine site construction and reclamation, highway projects, and industrial demolition at mining and manufacturing facilities. You'll do everything from pouring concrete and setting forms to operating jackhammers and performing environmental cleanup at former industrial sites. The Iron Range's mining industry creates a steady cycle of construction, maintenance, and reclamation work that keeps laborers busy year-round. This is physically demanding work, but it's the fastest path into the building trades with a shorter apprenticeship than most.
Day One as an Apprentice
Your first day on the job you'll report to a construction site — likely a mine, highway project, or industrial facility — and meet your foreman. Expect to start with basic site labor — moving materials, setting up barriers, shoveling, and cleaning up debris. Northern Minnesota weather is no joke, so dress in layers and be ready to work in conditions that would send most people indoors.
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 | $21.13/hr | ~$42k |
| 2 | 2nd Year Apprentice | $26.42/hr | ~$53k |
| 3 | Journeyman Laborer | $35.22/hr | ~$70k |
Benefits Package
Full health insurance for you and your family, a defined-benefit pension plan, annuity savings account, and paid vacation. Combined with northern Minnesota's low cost of living, the total package provides strong purchasing power.
Apprenticeship Program
3 years
Program Length
288 hrs
Classroom Hours
4,000 hrs
On-the-Job Hours
How to Apply
Apply at liunaminnesota.org or visit the union hall in Virginia. You'll need a high school diploma or GED and a valid driver's license. LIUNA apprenticeships are often more accessible than other trades — fewer testing requirements and more frequent openings.
Application Windows
Applications are accepted on a rolling basis. Check liunaminnesota.org or call the hall for current openings.
Requirements
General Requirements
- High school diploma or GED
- Valid driver's license
- At least 18 years old at time of application
- Reliable transportation for travel between job sites
- Drug-free workplace — pre-employment drug test required
Physical Requirements
- Ability to lift and carry up to 75 lbs regularly
- Ability to work on your feet all day in all weather conditions including extreme cold
- Comfortable with repetitive physical labor — digging, lifting, carrying
- Ability to work in dusty, noisy, and hot environments
Tools You'll Need
- Work boots (steel-toed required)
- Hard hat and safety glasses (often provided by employer)
- Basic hand tools as needed (employer typically provides specialized equipment)
- Cold-weather work gear (insulated boots, layers)
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 Iron Range & Northern 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 LIUNA Local 1097 or any union. Verify all information — including current pay rates, application windows, and requirements — directly with LIUNA Local 1097.