Plumber
UA Local 34
Install and maintain plumbing and gas systems in commercial, institutional, and residential buildings.
Starting Pay
$28.07/hr
1st year apprentice
Journeyman Pay
$58.48/hr
~$117k/year
Apprenticeship
5 years
earn while you learn
Total Package
$160,000+
wages + benefits
Overview
The Work
Plumbers and gasfitters from UA Local 34 install, maintain, and repair plumbing and gas piping systems across commercial, institutional, and residential projects in the St. Paul metro and Mankato area. Day-to-day work includes laying out and installing water supply lines, waste and vent systems, gas piping, and plumbing fixtures. You'll work on hospitals, schools, apartment buildings, and commercial facilities. On large mechanical projects, you'll work alongside Local 455 steamfitters — plumbers handle the water and waste side, fitters handle the steam and process piping.
Day One as an Apprentice
Your first day on the job you'll report to a job site and meet your journeyman partner. Expect to spend the first weeks learning job-site safety, how to read isometric drawings, and basic pipe fitting techniques. You'll start with physical work — carrying pipe and fittings, digging trenches, drilling holes — while learning layout and installation from experienced journeymen.
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 | $28.07/hr | ~$56k |
| 2 | 2nd Year Apprentice | $35.09/hr | ~$70k |
| 3 | 3rd Year Apprentice | $42.11/hr | ~$84k |
| 4 | 4th Year Apprentice | $49.12/hr | ~$98k |
| 5 | Journeyman Plumber | $58.48/hr | ~$117k |
Benefits Package
Full health insurance for you and your family, a defined-benefit pension plan, annuity savings account, and paid vacation. Total package value rivals most white-collar salaries.
Apprenticeship Program
5 years
Program Length
800 hrs
Classroom Hours
9,000 hrs
On-the-Job Hours
How to Apply
Apply through the JATC at plumberslocal34.org during the open application window. You'll need a high school diploma or GED, a valid driver's license, and solid math skills. Qualified applicants are ranked and called in for an interview.
Application Windows
Applications typically open annually. Check plumberslocal34.org 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
- Drug-free workplace — pre-employment drug test required
Physical Requirements
- Ability to lift and carry up to 50 lbs
- Comfortable working in confined spaces and crawl spaces
- Ability to work on your feet all day in various positions
- Good manual dexterity for pipe fitting and soldering
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
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 St. Paul Metro & Mankato 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 34 or any union. Verify all information — including current pay rates, application windows, and requirements — directly with UA Local 34.