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We all need electricians, and electricians need extensive training to safely perform this highly skilled work. If you want to join the electrician workforce, you’ll be glad to know training is readily available throughout the Land of 10,000 Lakes.
The growing demand for electricians in Minnesota—journeyman electricians, master electricians, maintenance electricians, electrical engineers, and linesmen—means you can feel confident that the time you put into training will pay off.
The Department of Labor’s job search website, CareerOneStop, projects an 8% growth rate for electricians in Minnesota and 7% nationwide over the next decade. There’s definitely evidence to support this on job boards. For instance, there are hundreds of electrician jobs in Minnesota posted on Indeed and ZipRecruiter.
We’ve put together everything you need to know to get started.
Accredited Minnesota Electrician Training Programs
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), “Most electricians learn their trade in a four- or five-year apprenticeship program. For each year of the program, apprentices typically receive 2,000 hours of paid on-the-job training as well as some technical instruction. Workers who gained electrical experience in the military or in the construction industry may qualify for a shortened apprenticeship based on their experience and testing. Some electricians start out by attending a technical school. Many technical schools offer programs related to circuitry, safety practices, and basic electrical information. Graduates of these programs usually receive credit toward their apprenticeship.”
According to the BLS, some electricians enter apprenticeship programs after working as an electrician helper. The Home Builders Institute offers a pre-apprenticeship certificate training (PACT) program for eight construction trades, including electricians.
Minnesota licenses every level of this workforce at the state level—requiring applicants to meet job experience requirements. Post-high school classroom instruction can count toward a portion of the required job experience, but it isn’t required. Apprentices must be registered with the state.
Most people entering the electrician industry in Minnesota learn on the job as an apprentice electrician either in a formal union or nonunion apprenticeship or by working for an electrical contractor and taking classes at a local community college accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. All of these apprenticeships must be recognized by the state.
The following community colleges and training centers offer electrician classes in Minnesota:
Anoka Technical College in Anoka
Dakota County Technical College in Rosemount
Dunwoody College of Technology in Minneapolis
Lake Superior College in Duluth
Minnesota North College (formally Hibbing Community College) in Hibbing
Minnesota West Community and Technical College in Granite Falls
Northwest Technical College in Bemidji
Ridgewater College in Willmar
Riverland Community College in Austin
Saint Paul College in Saint Paul
St. Cloud Technical & Community College in Saint Cloud
Minnesota Apprenticeships
Many prospective electricians gain hands-on work experience through an apprenticeship program. Minnesota Career Pathways maintains a list of available apprenticeships. Minnesota requires 144 hours of classroom training for each year of work experience. Current union and nonunion organizations offering electrician apprenticeship opportunities include:
In addition, there are 50+ listed Electrical Power-Line Installers and Repairers apprenticeships.
Electrician Degrees & Certificates
As you weigh the benefits of formal training at a trade school or technical college, you may want to speak with people in the field in the state where you intend to work. The licensing requirements vary from state to state, and some require a minimum amount of education.
There’s typically a range of degree and certificate programs, but most electricians enter an apprenticeship rather than a college program. Some electrical contractors may allow you to get hands-on training with them while also attending a college program at night or on the weekend. If you choose to start at a technical college, the time it takes to complete each kind of program and the cost of each are the most significant differences. The most common programs are:
Certificate Program – three to six months
Associate’s Degree – two years
Bachelor’s Degree – four years
Put simply, the longer the program, the more it costs. If you wish to be an electrical engineer, you’ll need at least a four-year bachelor’s degree. If this is a path that interests you, you may want to explore the Electrical Engineering Bachelor of Science degree at one of the four-year universities in Minnesota such as:
As stated earlier, in many cases but not always, formal education pays off in the form of higher wages.
Typical Courses in Technical College Programs
Electrical programs at technical colleges are all intended to prepare students for careers in commercial, industrial, or residential electrical applications. All combine theory and the practical skills needed to do the job. Most encourage students to work in their field of interest while attending school. Some are intended to give students a base of knowledge to prepare them to be helpers and get that first job with a licensed electrician.
Typically, they include courses in the fundamentals of the electrical trade. Classroom and laboratory experiences allow students to become proficient in the installation and maintenance of electrical wiring, transformers: A/C and D/C motor control circuit, instrumentation, OSHA requirements, and programmable logic controllers used in residential, commercial, and industrial settings. They all cover safety and the National Electric Code (NEC). Among the most common classes offered in these programs are:
Foundations of Mathematics
Industrial Safety Procedures
Direct Current
Alternating Current
Electrical Prints, Schematics, and Symbols
Commercial Wiring
Residential Wiring
Electrical Controls
Diagnostic Troubleshooting
School Selection Criteria
There are a lot of things to consider when picking the right school and program.
Cost
Cost is, of course, at the top of the list. According to Community College Review, tuition at Minnesota community colleges on average is $5,701 per year for in-state students and $6,336 for out-of-state students. However, many of the accredited electrician programs listed here are part of apprenticeship programs, so tuition may be reimbursed by or paid for outright by the student’s employer or union. There will be some variations in fees at each school, too, so be sure to review all of the costs involved.
You will also incur costs for books and tools, but those tools are yours to keep as you enter your occupational field. All students who are interested in receiving federal (Pell Grant) and any state grants apply by completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form online.
Program Length
The pre-apprenticeship electrician diploma program length varies depending on the school and how many credit hours you take per semester. Anoka Technical College offers a two-year or 82-credit Construction Electrician program.
Apprenticeship lengths vary, but are based upon the time required to master all aspects of the occupation or trade you are learning in addition to completing the necessary classroom and safety instruction required.
Level of Difficulty
Electrician training programs are designed to prepare graduates for entry-level positions in commercial, industrial, or residential sectors as an electrical technician. The BLS says technical instruction for apprentices includes electrical theory, blueprint reading, mathematics, electrical code requirements, and safety and first-aid practices. Students may also receive specialized training related to soldering, communications, fire alarm systems, and elevators.
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School Comparison: At a Glance
The accredited training schools listed in this article are part of Minnesota’s college system. They typically offer students financial aid in the form of grants. Electrical licensure in the state requires either work experience or a mix of schooling and work experience. Successful completion of a two-year post high school technical course meets one year of experience credit on all license types. The following schools fulfill that requirement.
Offers a two-year Construction Engineering program
Dakota County Technical College
Offers a two-year associate degree program in Electrician Construction and Maintenance Technology
Offers a two-year program in Electrician Construction and Maintenance Technology
Dunwoody College of Technology
Offers a two-year associate degree program in Electrical Construction & Maintenance
Offers a two-year associate degree program in Electrical Construction Design & Management
Offers a two-year associate degree program in Commercial and Residential Wiring
Offers a two-year program in Electrical Maintenance & Construction
Minnesota State Community and Technical College
Offers a two-year program in Electrical Technology
Offers a two-year associate degree program in Electrical Lineworker Technology
Minnesota West Community and Technical College
Offers a two-year Electric Utility Substation Technician associate degree and diploma program
Offers a two-year Electrician associate degree and diploma program
Offers a two-year associate degree and diploma program in Electrical Construction & Maintenance
Offers a two-year Electrician associate degree and diploma program
Offers a two-year Electrician diploma program
Offers a two-year Electrical Technology program
St. Cloud Technical & Community College
Offers a two-year associate degree and diploma program in Electrical Construction Technology
Steps for Enrollment in Minnesota
Every college has its own way of doing things, but in general the process begins with visiting the school’s website and applying for admission online. Some require that you pay an application fee and provide several documents. In general, the application process has the following steps:
Complete your application.
Pay the application fee (if applicable).
Provide proof of residency to qualify for in-state tuition.
Have sealed official high school transcript or GED scores sent.
Submit placement test scores.
If applicable, apply for on-campus housing.
If you choose to start with an apprenticeship, you will want to contact the JATC, Local Union, or IEC or ABC chapter closest to you. Each organization has a slightly different application process, but the application requirements in general are:
Must be at least 18 years of age.
Must be a high school graduate, senior scheduled to graduate or have earned a GED certificate. Applicants will be required to provide a copy of their diploma or GED certificate, and an official transcript of their grades following submission of the application.
Must have a valid driver’s license.
Have passed high school algebra or an equivalent post-high school algebra class with a “C” or better or pass an aptitude test.
Pass a drug screen and criminal background checks.
Electrician Career Requirements in Minnesota
To recap, Minnesota requires on-the-job training to legally perform electrical work. A two-year electrical trade school program can qualify for one year of the required work experience. To become eligible for a journeyman electrician license, you need four years (8,000 hours) of on-the-job electrical training under the supervision of a licensed electrician. After holding a journeyman electrician license for one year, you become eligible to take the master electrician exam.
Other license types include:
Maintenance electrician (requires four years of full-time experience)
Outside linesman (requires five years of full-time experience)
Power limited technician (requires three years of full-time experience)
Class B installer (requires one year of full-time experience)
After licensing, Minnesota electricians must complete continuing education to keep their electrician license active. Both journeyman and master electricians need to renew their licenses every two years.
For Class A journeyworker electricians, Minnesota has license reciprocity with Alaska, Arkansas, Colorado, Iowa, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Wyoming. For Class A master electricians, Minnesota has license reciprocity with Iowa, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Nebraska.
For a detailed explanation of Minnesota’s electrical licensing requirements and how to fulfill them, check out our essential guide to getting your Minnesota Electrical License.
Salaries for Electricians in Minnesota
Before paying for technical education or completing a lengthy apprenticeship to become an electrician, you’ll want some idea of the potential return on your investment of time, effort, energy, and money. In other words, what can you expect to make as an electrical professional in Minnesota? Payscale.com data provides an answer based on your experience. The median electrician salary in Minnesota for 2023 is:
Entry level <2 years: $60,100
Intermediate 2-4 years: $67,600
Senior 4-6 years: $72,600
Supervisor > 7 years: $101,200
For more information about electrician salaries, visit this state-by-state guide.
Industry Apprenticeships
To meet apprenticeship requirements in Minnesota, you must have a high school diploma or GED. Interested applicants should apply directly to the union, non-union trade organization or company with which they’d like to apprentice. Remember, apprenticeship—or working under the supervision of a licensed electrician—is required to become a licensed electrician in Minnesota. Minnesota Career Pathways maintains a list of available apprenticeships.
For more information on apprenticeship programs in Minnesota, visit the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry “Be an apprentice” webpage.
Other School Options
In addition to the training programs and schools already mentioned, there are training centers in neighboring North Dakota, South Dakota, and Iowa.
Dakotas JATC in Fargo, ND; Sioux Falls, SD; Grand Forks and Bismarck, ND
Southeast Technical College in Sioux Falls
Cedar Rapids Electrical Training Center in Cedar Rapids, Iowa
You can find the training you need to excel in a career as an electrician in Minnesota. The opportunities are all around you.
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