Construction Teamster
IBT Local 346
Drive construction trucks and operate equipment on highway, mining, and pipeline projects in northern Minnesota.
Starting Pay
$23.91/hr
1st year apprentice
Journeyman Pay
$39.85/hr
~$80k/year
Apprenticeship
3 years
earn while you learn
Total Package
$110,000+
wages + benefits
Overview
The Work
Construction teamsters from IBT Local 346 drive dump trucks, haul mine materials, and transport equipment on highway, mining, and pipeline projects across northern Minnesota and northwestern Wisconsin. Chartered in 1929, Local 346 covers a vast territory that includes Iron Range mine sites, northern highway corridors, and a five-state pipeline jurisdiction. You'll haul aggregate and ore on mine haul roads, deliver materials to highway construction sites, and move equipment along pipeline right-of-ways. The work is outdoor and physically remote — many job sites are well outside city limits. Pipeline work can take you across state lines for extended stretches. The local runs a joint apprenticeship program with Local 120 that includes CDL training, heavy vehicle operation, and construction site safety.
Day One as an Apprentice
Your first day you'll report to a construction site, mine, or the union hall and meet your supervisor. Expect to start with safety orientation covering pre-trip inspections, mine-site protocols, or pipeline safety rules depending on the project. Early weeks involve ride-alongs with experienced drivers, learning site layouts, and practicing backing and maneuvering in tight or uneven terrain.
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 | $23.91/hr | ~$48k |
| 2 | 2nd Year Apprentice | $29.89/hr | ~$60k |
| 3 | 3rd Year Apprentice | $39.85/hr | ~$80k |
| 4 | Journeyman Teamster | $39.85/hr | ~$80k |
Benefits Package
Full family health insurance, Teamsters pension, 401(k), and paid vacation. Benefits are portable within the Teamsters system. Note: The rate shown is the MN DLI St. Louis County prevailing wage for Group 4 truck drivers (two-axle / dump truck) — actual rates vary by truck class (single-axle, four-axle, tractor-trailer, mechanic-welder). Contact the hall for the rate that applies to your specific job.
Apprenticeship Program
3 years
Program Length
288 hrs
Classroom Hours
4,000 hrs
On-the-Job Hours
How to Apply
Contact the Local 346 office in Duluth or apply through teamsterslocal346.com. You'll need a high school diploma or GED, a valid CDL (or willingness to obtain one), and a clean driving record.
Application Windows
Check teamsterslocal346.com or call the hall for current application dates.
Requirements
General Requirements
- High school diploma or GED
- Valid driver's license (CDL required or must obtain during apprenticeship)
- Clean driving record
- At least 18 years old (21 for interstate CDL)
- Drug-free workplace — DOT drug and alcohol testing required
- Pass DOT physical examination
- Willingness to travel for pipeline and remote project work
Physical Requirements
- Ability to climb in and out of truck cabs repeatedly
- Ability to sit for extended periods while driving
- Good spatial awareness for operating on unimproved roads and mine sites
- Ability to secure loads and work in adverse weather conditions
Tools You'll Need
- Work boots (steel-toed required on construction sites)
- Hard hat and safety vest (often provided by employer)
- Basic hand tools for pre-trip inspections
Physical Demand
3/5
Technical Level
2/5
Union Hall
Market Outlook
High Demand
MN DEED projects 6% growth for heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers (SOC 53-3032, which includes construction teamsters) 2022–2032 with about 4,860 annual openings statewide. BLS projects 4% national growth 2024–2034 with about 237,600 annual openings — one of the highest-volume occupations in the projections.
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 IBT Local 346 or any union. Verify all information — including current pay rates, application windows, and requirements — directly with IBT Local 346.