Plumber / Pipefitter
UA Local 589
Install and maintain plumbing and industrial piping systems in mining, power, and manufacturing facilities.
Starting Pay
$25.08/hr
1st year apprentice
Journeyman Pay
$52.24/hr
~$104k/year
Apprenticeship
5 years
earn while you learn
Total Package
$140,000+
wages + benefits
Overview
The Work
Plumbers and pipefitters from UA Local 589 install, maintain, and repair plumbing and industrial piping systems across the Iron Range and International Falls area. As a combined plumber/pipefitter local, you'll learn both disciplines and work across a range of heavy industrial settings — taconite processing plants, power generation facilities, paper mills, and municipal infrastructure. The Iron Range's extreme winters mean freeze protection is a serious specialty here. You'll develop expertise in heat tracing, insulation coordination, and cold-weather piping practices that set you apart from pipefitters anywhere else in the state.
Day One as an Apprentice
Your first day on the job you'll report to a job site — likely an industrial facility on the Range — and meet your journeyman partner. Expect to spend the first weeks learning job-site safety, basic pipe fitting, and the layout of whatever plant you're working in. You'll start with physical work — carrying pipe, grinding welds, pulling materials — while learning from experienced journeymen who know these facilities inside and out.
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 | $25.08/hr | ~$50k |
| 2 | 2nd Year Apprentice | $31.34/hr | ~$63k |
| 3 | 3rd Year Apprentice | $37.61/hr | ~$75k |
| 4 | 4th Year Apprentice | $43.88/hr | ~$88k |
| 5 | Journeyman Plumber/Pipefitter | $52.24/hr | ~$104k |
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
5 years
Program Length
800 hrs
Classroom Hours
9,000 hrs
On-the-Job Hours
How to Apply
Apply through the joint JATC with Local 11 at 11589jatc.com during the open application window. You'll need a high school diploma or GED, a valid driver's license, and solid math skills. Reliable transportation is essential given the distances between job sites.
Application Windows
Applications typically open annually. Check 11589jatc.com for current dates and requirements.
Requirements
General Requirements
- High school diploma or GED
- Valid driver's license
- Strong math skills (algebra and geometry)
- 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 50 lbs
- Comfortable working in industrial environments with noise and heat
- Ability to work outdoors in extreme cold
- Good manual dexterity for pipe fitting and welding
Tools You'll Need
- Basic hand tools (provided list at orientation): pipe wrenches, channel locks, tape measure
- Work boots (steel-toed required)
- Hard hat and safety glasses (often provided by employer)
Physical Demand
3/5
Technical Level
4/5
Union Hall
Market Outlook
High Demand
BLS groups plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters under one occupation (SOC 47-2152) projected to grow 5% 2024–2034 (faster than average). MN DEED projects 6% growth 2022–2032 with about 1,030 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 Iron Range & International Falls Area. 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 UA Local 589 or any union. Verify all information — including current pay rates, application windows, and requirements — directly with UA Local 589.