Independent salary reference. Not affiliated with BLS, IBEW, NECA, or any electrical contractor. All wage figures cite the source; individual earnings vary by employer, certifications, and market.
Home/By State/Minnesota

BLS OES May 2024

Electrician Salary in Minnesota 2026

Updated 17 April 2026

$68,400/yr average · $32.88/hr

State Median

$68k

vs. National

+$7k

Top 10%

$101k

COL-Adjusted

$70k

Where Minnesota Ranks

Minnesota ranks #8 nationally for electrician median wages. The national median is $61,590 (BLS OES May 2024). Minnesota pays $6,810 above the national average.

Minnesota's cost-of-living index is 98 (MERIC 2026, where 100 = US average). After adjustment, the purchasing power of an electrician's salary here is equivalent to $69,796/yr in national-average dollar terms. Cost of living is near the national average.

Pay by Metro Area

BLS OES May 2024 MSA-level data. Top 5 metropolitan areas in Minnesota.

Metro AreaMedian Annualvs. State Avg
Minneapolis-St Paul (Twin Cities)$72,800++4.4k
Rochester$62,800-5.6k
Duluth$58,800-9.6k
St Cloud$60,400-8.0k
Mankato$56,400-12.0k

Pay by Experience Level

LevelHourlyAnnual
Apprentice (Year 1)$18 - $23/hr$37,000 - $48,000
Apprentice (Year 4-5)$26 - $34/hr$54,000 - $71,000
Journeyman (Employee)$32 - $46/hr$67,000 - $96,000
Master Electrician (Employee)$40 - $54/hr$83,000 - $112,000
Self-Employed Contractor$95 - $170/hr billed$95,000 - $240,000 net

Minnesota Licensing Requirements

Licensing AuthorityMinnesota Department of Labor and Industry (DLI) - Construction Codes and Licensing Division
Journeyman Requirement8,000 hours (4 years) OJT under a licensed Class A Master + 144 hours of related instruction per year + pass the Minnesota Journeyman Electrician exam.
Master Requirement1 year (2,000 hours) of work as Class A licensed journeyman + pass Class A Master Electrician exam. Master is required to qualify a Class A Electrical Contractor license.
Fee$25 application + $35 exam fee for journeyman; $25 application + $35 for master (DLI fee schedule 2026)
ReciprocityMinnesota has reciprocity for journeyman with North Dakota, South Dakota, and Wisconsin (verify current list with DLI)

See full 50-state licensing matrix at electriciansalary.com/licensing

Union Presence in Minnesota

IBEW Locals: IBEW Local 292 (Minneapolis-St Paul - one of the largest in the Midwest), Local 343 (Rochester), Local 31 (Duluth), Local 110 (St Paul - separate jurisdiction within Twin Cities)

Union share: approximately 41% of electricians in Minnesota are union, one of the highest rates in the US.

Union electricians in Minnesota typically earn 20-35% more in total compensation than non-union electricians, when wages, health insurance, pension, and annuity are included.

Full IBEW wage scale breakdown and union vs non-union analysis

Job Outlook in Minnesota

Minnesota electricians benefit from a deep union floor (Local 292 is one of the country's strongest single-Local presences) plus diversified industrial demand. The Mayo Clinic Bold. Forward. Unbound. campus rebuild in Rochester is a multi-year mission-critical electrical project. 3M, Polaris, Cargill, and Land O'Lakes maintain large industrial facilities requiring continuous electrical work. Xcel Energy's Sherco coal-to-solar transition is creating large-scale renewable electrical employment.

Major Employers in Minnesota

Xcel EnergyMinnesota PowerMortenson (electrical subs)Hunt Electric (St Paul)Egan Company (Minneapolis)

Frequently Asked Questions

How much do electricians make in Minnesota?
Electricians in Minnesota earn $68,400/yr ($32.88/hr) on average per BLS OES May 2024. Apprentices start at around $42,400/yr. Top-earning master electricians and self-employed contractors can exceed $100,800/yr.
How does Minnesota rank for electrician pay?
Minnesota ranks #8 nationally for electrician median wages. After cost-of-living adjustment (MERIC index 98), the real purchasing power is $69,796/yr.
Do I need a license to work as an electrician in Minnesota?
8,000 hours (4 years) OJT under a licensed Class A Master + 144 hours of related instruction per year + pass the Minnesota Journeyman Electrician exam.. For master level: 1 year (2,000 hours) of work as Class A licensed journeyman + pass Class A Master Electrician exam. Master is required to qualify a Class A Electrical Contractor license..
Are union electricians better paid in Minnesota?
Yes. IBEW Local 292 (Minneapolis-St Paul - one of the largest in the Midwest), Local 343 (Rochester), Local 31 (Duluth), Local 110 (St Paul - separate jurisdiction within Twin Cities) operate in Minnesota, with approximately 41% of electricians in Minnesota are union, one of the highest rates in the US. Union electricians earn 20-35% more in total compensation when wages, health insurance, pension, and annuity are included.
What is the job outlook for electricians in Minnesota?
Minnesota electricians benefit from a deep union floor (Local 292 is one of the country's strongest single-Local presences) plus diversified industrial demand. The Mayo Clinic Bold. Forward. Unbound. campus rebuild in Rochester is a multi-year mission-critical electrical project. 3M, Polaris, Cargill, and Land O'Lakes maintain large industrial facilities requiring continuous electrical work. Xcel Energy's Sherco coal-to-solar transition is creating large-scale renewable electrical employment.

Related Pages

All StatesLicensing RequirementsJourneyman SalaryMaster Electrician SalaryUnion vs Non-Union

Source: BLS OES May 2024 (47-2111), MERIC 2026 COL Index, IBEW local agreements 2025-2026.

Updated 2026-04-27