How to Become an Electrician in Minnesota

Becoming an electrician is a strong career choice for young people in Minnesota. Training includes coursework and a paid apprenticeship, leading to hands-on work, job security, and a steady income in this skilled trade.[En Español]

Requirements for Becoming an Electrician in Minnesota

In Minnesota, the Board of Electricity under the Department of Labor and Industry handles electrician licensing. The state offers licenses for journeymen, master electricians, and electrical contractors. Additional licensing options include power limited technician, Class B installer, maintenance electrician, satellite system installer, and lineman.

The typical path to becoming an electrician in Minnesota starts with a journeyman license, followed by a master electrician license, and then an independent contractor license for those wanting to run their own business.

To qualify for the journeyman exam, you must meet one of the following requirements:

• Complete four years of apprenticeship experience without a formal education program.
• Complete a two-year electrical technology program and gain three years of apprenticeship experience.

To qualify for the master electrician exam in Minnesota, you must work as a licensed journeyman for at least one year.

The master electrician license must be renewed every two years after the initial licensing period. Renewal requires 16 hours of continuing education, covering updates to the National Electrical Code (NEC) and Minnesota state code changes.

Some electricians in Minnesota choose to stop at the master electrician level, while others pursue an independent electrical contractor license to start a business and hire electricians.

To obtain this license, you must:

• Secure a surety bond
• Hold or employ a master electrician
• Have liability insurance

Electrician Apprenticeship Programs in Minnesota

In Minnesota, there are two paths to becoming a journeyman electrician. One option is to complete an apprenticeship program, which combines classroom instruction with hands-on work experience. The other option is to gain the required work experience through on-the-job training. The Minnesota Career Pathways provides a list of companies that accept apprentices. Individuals must contact these companies directly to check for available positions, qualification requirements, and application procedures.

Most electrician apprenticeships in Minnesota last four years and provide the 8,000 hours of work experience required for journeyman licensing. Apprentices earn a salary while training and work under the supervision of a master electrician.

One of the largest organizers of electrical apprenticeships in Minnesota is the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) union in collaboration with the National Electrical Contractors Association (NECA). Together they form Joint Apprenticeships and Training Committees that operate typically under the sponsorship of local IBEW unions. In Minnesota, these include:

• Minneapolis Electrical JATC, sponsored by IBEW Local 292
• South Central MN JATC, in Rochester, sponsored by IBEW Local 343
• St. Paul Electrical JATC, sponsored by IBEW Local 110

Applicants for union apprenticeship programs must be at least 17 years old, have a high school diploma or GED, and hold a valid driver’s license. To qualify for an interview, they must score 4 or higher on the Electrical Trade’s Aptitude Test, developed by the American Institute for Research. Attending an electrical construction trade school is optional but can be beneficial.

There is also a statewide limited energy JATC.

There are also non-union options that include the electrical apprenticeship program offered by Independent Electrical Contractors (IEC) and their IEC Dakotas chapter, and that offered by Associated Builders and Contractors, (ABC) Minnesota/North Dakota Chapter.

Minnesota Schools for Electricians

The second option for becoming a journeyman electrician is to complete a two-year vocational or technical program at a post-secondary trade school or community college. Completion of such a program counts as one year of work experience. During or after completion, you must find an apprenticeship and complete three years of hands-on, supervised work experience. The Department of Labor and Industry lists schools in Minnesota with approved programs. These are a few examples:

• Lake Superior College, Duluth. In northern Minnesota students can choose this associate degree program in commercial and residential wiring. The approximate tuition cost is $16,000, and the program takes two years to complete.
• Northwest Technical College, Bemidji. Students at Northwest Tech can complete the electrical construction and maintenance program and be qualified to work as an electrician apprentice or to find work in an entry-level assistant or technician position. The placement rate for this program is 100 percent.
• Dunwoody College of Technology, Minneapolis. Students in the Twin Cities may complete this electrical construction and maintenance program. The two-year associate degree program prepares students for an apprenticeship and has a 100-percent placement rate. Dunwoody also has an electrical design program, which includes a focus on using software to design and draft electrical systems.
• Minnesota State Community and Technical College. M State offers an Electrical Lineworker Technology program at their Wadena campus, for those looker for a lineman school in Minnesota. The program is available both as both diploma and AAS degree.

Outlook and Salary Expectations

A career as an electrician in Minnesota is a smart choice, because skilled workers are in high demand. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that growth in the field between 2023 and 2032 is going to be around 8 percent. There were 10,250 employed electricians in the state in 2023, and there are expected to be 11,080 by 2033.

So how much do electricians make in Minnesota? Salaries in the state reflect the skilled nature of this work. The average salary for an electrician in the state is $80,830 (BLS May 2025 OEWS data). The top 10% in the field earn $118,820 or more.

Salaries in Minnesota by Occupation

Occupation	Total Employment	Mean Hourly Wage	Mean Annual Wage	Annual Salary 10th Percentile	Annual Salary 25th Percentile	Annual Salary 75th Percentile	Annual Salary 90th Percentile
Electricians	10,250	$37.52	$78,050	$46,950	$60,950	$98,870	$109,470
Helpers--Electricians	110	$19.22	$39,990	$27,170	$34,050	$47,670	$51,430
Electrical and Electronics Installers and Repairers, Transportation Equipment	**	$31.14	$64,780	$53,720	$57,370	$73,040	$80,150
Electrical and Electronics Repairers, Commercial and Industrial Equipment	1,080	$38.71	$80,520	$62,490	$67,250	$81,060	$94,710
Electrical and Electronics Repairers, Powerhouse, Substation, and Relay	280	$54.58	$113,520	$101,470	$103,170	$130,700	$131,220
Electrical Power-Line Installers and Repairers	2,020	$47.29	$98,360	$67,550	$84,310	$106,560	$110,530

Electrician Salaries in Minnesota by Region

Area	Total Employment	Mean Hourly Wage	Mean Annual Salary	Hourly Wage 10th Percentile	Hourly Wage 25th Percentile	Hourly Wage 75th Percentile	Hourly Wage 90th Percentile
Fargo, ND-MN	920	$32.78	$68,180	$19.34	$24.59	$37.26	$45.16
Grand Forks, ND-MN	390	$32.84	$68,310	$22.00	$27.40	$38.06	$49.53
La Crosse-Onalaska, WI-MN	280	$37.36	$77,700	$19.42	$28.46	$40.58	$45.54
Duluth, MN-WI	640	$38.25	$79,560	$22.96	$29.23	$44.46	$47.78
Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI	6,080	$39.51	$82,170	$23.30	$30.41	$49.92	$53.22
Mankato-North Mankato, MN	210	$36.51	$75,940	$22.81	$28.98	$46.60	$46.62
Rochester, MN	510	$35.69	$74,240	$22.75	$29.51	$46.67	$48.97
St. Cloud, MN	560	$38.43	$79,930	$22.56	$29.14	$44.49	$49.84

Working as an Electrician in Minnesota

The job outlook for qualified electricians in Minnesota is strong, with thousands of opportunities expected in the coming years. Those who complete the required training and licensing can build stable careers. As a master electrician, you can work for an electrical contractor, building contractor, development company, industrial firm, commercial property, or government agency. With the right training, this career offers job security and a strong income.

College Listings

Neighbor States

Residents of Minnesota may also wish to review their options in Wisconsin, Iowa, North Dakota and South Dakota.

More Electrician Training in Minnesota

• Best Electrical Degree Programs in Minneapolis
• Electrical Technology Diploma Programs in Minneapolis
• Electrical Apprenticeship Programs in Minneapolis