March is Explore Construction Employment Month in the CareerForce system in Minnesota. And while the month is wrapping up the opportunities in this dynamic field continue!
People who work in construction, also known as the trades, build houses, apartments and other types of buildings, as well as roads, bridges and other structures. People working in construction can specialize in particular roles like electricians, plumbers, cement masons and many other types of jobs.
With nearly 148,000 people working in the industry in Minnesota, construction makes up just over 5% of total employment in the state in 2025, or one in every 20 jobs. With average annual wages of just over $91,200 in 2025, construction wages are about $15,000 above the average for all industries.
Most construction jobs can be started with a high school diploma or GED and on-the-job training, with many opportunities for people interested in working in this field to earn while they learn in registered apprenticeships. People with construction and other trades skills are in high demand now and are expected to remain in high demand into the future; there are expected to be more than 10,000 new jobs added in Construction through 2032.
One example of how CareerForce prepares people for promising careers in construction
Every year, the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development partners with the Minnesota Department of Transportation on a pre-apprenticeship construction training program aimed at preparing people for employment in highway heavy construction.
Of the 15 graduates of the 2025 pre-apprenticeship cement mason training program, 12 were placed in union apprenticeships and eight are currently working toward the 6,000 on-the-job hours they need to achieve Journey Worker Cement Mason. Since 2017, three graduates of this program have achieved Journey Worker. People working as cement masons in Minnesota tend to earn $28.31 to $39.78 per hour. The need for people with cement masonry skills is projected to be strong through 2032, with more than 2,500 job openings expected.
Find out more about upcoming construction training programs around Minnesota
