Plumber
UA Local 11
Install and maintain plumbing systems for commercial, industrial, and residential projects across northern Minnesota and the Duluth region.
Starting Pay
$24.03/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 from UA Local 11 install and service plumbing systems — water supply, drain-waste-vent, gas piping, and hydronic heating — for commercial, industrial, and residential projects across the Duluth metro and northern Minnesota. The Duluth jurisdiction includes a mix of commercial construction, large industrial facilities at the port and along the Iron Range, and institutional projects like hospitals and schools. Northern Minnesota's climate creates additional demand for freeze protection systems, radiant heating, and the robust water management systems required for facilities in extreme cold. Local 11 also covers residential service work throughout the region.
Day One as an Apprentice
Your first assignment as a Local 11 apprentice will likely be on a commercial project in Duluth or a regional community — a hospital wing, school building, or commercial construction site. You'll learn rough-in plumbing first: running pipe in walls and ceilings before the building is closed in. Your journeyman mentor will teach you to read blueprints, calculate pipe sizing, and work efficiently in coordination with other trades.
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 | $24.03/hr | ~$48k |
| 2 | 2nd Year Apprentice | $31.34/hr | ~$63k |
| 3 | 3rd Year Apprentice | $36.57/hr | ~$73k |
| 4 | 4th Year Apprentice | $41.79/hr | ~$84k |
| 5 | Journeyman Plumber | $52.24/hr | ~$104k |
Benefits Package
Health, dental, and vision through UA health fund. Pension and annuity contributions. Service plumbing provides year-round work even when commercial construction slows.
Apprenticeship Program
5 years
Program Length
800 hrs
Classroom Hours
9,000 hrs
On-the-Job Hours
How to Apply
Apply through UA Local 11 at ualocal11.org or contact the hall at (218) 628-0208. Requirements include a high school diploma or GED, a valid driver's license, and passing a drug test and basic aptitude assessment.
Application Windows
Applications accepted periodically. Contact the hall for current availability. Construction season peaks in spring and summer.
Requirements
General Requirements
- High school diploma or GED
- Valid driver's license
- 18 years of age
- Pass a drug test
- Basic math aptitude
Physical Requirements
- Work in confined spaces — crawlspaces, mechanical rooms, trenches
- Lift and position heavy pipe and equipment
- Work overhead and in awkward positions
- Work outdoors in northern Minnesota weather conditions
Tools You'll Need
- Pipe wrenches and channel-lock pliers
- Pipe cutter and threading machine
- Soldering torch and fittings
- Personal PPE: safety glasses, gloves, knee pads
Physical Demand
3/5
Technical Level
4/5
Union Hall
Market Outlook
High Demand
MN DEED projects 6% growth for plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters (SOC 47-2152) 2022–2032, with about 1,030 annual openings statewide. BLS projects 5% national growth 2024–2034 (faster than average), driven by new construction and replacement demand.
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 & NW Wisconsin. 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 11 or any union. Verify all information — including current pay rates, application windows, and requirements — directly with UA Local 11.