Plumber / Pipefitter
UA Local 6
Install and maintain plumbing and piping systems in healthcare, commercial, and industrial facilities.
Starting Pay
$23.96/hr
1st year apprentice
Journeyman Pay
$49.91/hr
~$100k/year
Apprenticeship
5 years
earn while you learn
Total Package
$135,000+
wages + benefits
Overview
The Work
Plumbers and pipefitters from UA Local 6 install, maintain, and repair plumbing, medical gas, and mechanical piping systems across Rochester and southeast Minnesota. As a charter member of the United Association since 1898, this is a combined plumber and pipefitter local — you'll learn both disciplines. Rochester's Mayo Clinic and the Destination Medical Center project drive a unique concentration of healthcare construction work. You'll install medical gas systems, laboratory piping, sterile water lines, and mechanical systems that most plumbers never touch.
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, blueprint reading, and basic pipe fitting. You'll start with physical work — carrying materials, drilling holes, cutting pipe — while learning the specialized piping systems that make healthcare construction different from typical commercial work.
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 | $23.96/hr | ~$48k |
| 2 | 2nd Year Apprentice | $29.95/hr | ~$60k |
| 3 | 3rd Year Apprentice | $35.94/hr | ~$72k |
| 4 | 4th Year Apprentice | $41.92/hr | ~$84k |
| 5 | Journeyman Plumber/Pipefitter | $49.91/hr | ~$100k |
Benefits Package
Full health insurance for you and your family, a defined-benefit pension plan, annuity savings account, and paid vacation. Rochester's strong economy and steady healthcare construction make for excellent job security.
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 ualocal6.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 ualocal6.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
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 Rochester & SE 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 UA Local 6 or any union. Verify all information — including current pay rates, application windows, and requirements — directly with UA Local 6.