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 OEWS May 2025

Electrician Salary in Minnesota 2026

Updated 22 June 2026

$78,160/yr median · $37.58/hr

State Median

$78k

vs. National

+$15k

Top 10%

$119k

COL-Adjusted

$80k

Electrician Salary Range in Minnesota

The full wage spread for electricians (occupation 47-2111) in Minnesota, from the lowest-paid 10% to the highest-paid 10%. All three figures are reported directly by the BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics program (May 2025).

10th percentile

$47k

$47,480/yr

Lowest-paid 10%

Median (50th)

$78k

$78,160/yr

Typical electrician

90th percentile

$119k

$118,820/yr

Highest-paid 10%

$47,480$78,160 median$118,820

An electrician in the bottom 10% of Minnesota earners makes about $47,480/yr, while the top 10% earn $118,820/yr or more — a range of $71,340. The 10th-percentile figure is a real BLS wage observation (it typically reflects apprentices and newly-licensed journeymen), distinct from the modelled apprentice-entry estimate shown in the experience table below.

Where Minnesota Ranks

Minnesota ranks #8 nationally for electrician median wages. The national median is $63,190 (BLS OEWS May 2025). Minnesota pays $14,970 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 $79,755/yr in national-average dollar terms. Cost of living is near the national average.

Pay by Metro Area

Estimated median pay for the top 5 metropolitan areas in Minnesota, modelled from the state median and regional cost differentials (not BLS metro estimates).

Metro AreaMedian Annualvs. State Avg
Minneapolis-St Paul (Twin Cities)$72,800-5.4k
Rochester$62,800-15.4k
Duluth$58,800-19.4k
St Cloud$60,400-17.8k
Mankato$56,400-21.8k

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 a median of $78,160/yr ($37.58/hr) per BLS OEWS May 2025. Apprentices start at around $42,400/yr and top-earning master electricians and self-employed contractors can exceed $118,820/yr (these apprentice and top-end figures are estimates, not BLS).
What is the salary range for electricians in Minnesota?
BLS OEWS May 2025 puts the wage range at $47,480/yr (10th percentile, lowest-paid 10%) to $118,820/yr (90th percentile, highest-paid 10%), with a median of $78,160/yr — a spread of $71,340.
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 $79,755/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

State 10th-percentile, median, and 90th-percentile (top 10%) wage figures: BLS OEWS May 2025 (47-2111). COL index: MERIC 2026. Metro, apprentice, and contractor figures are modelled estimates (not BLS). IBEW local agreements 2025-2026.

Updated 2026-04-27