Quick Answer: The University of Minnesota employs approximately 28,000 people across the Twin Cities campus and four greater-Minnesota campuses (Duluth, Morris, Crookston, Rochester). M Health Fairview, the affiliated health system, is covered separately in our Healthcare hub. Pay ranges from $17–$24/hr for service positions to $200,000+ for senior faculty. Apply through hr.umn.edu/jobs. UMN offers state-employee benefits and the Regents Tuition Benefit Program.
Working at UMN
The University of Minnesota is a Big Ten land-grant Carnegie R1 public research university with a flagship Twin Cities campus (Minneapolis & Saint Paul) plus four greater-Minnesota campuses. Approximately 28,000 employees support faculty, professional staff, technical operations, food service, library, athletics, and public safety functions. M Health Fairview is the affiliated academic health system covered in our Healthcare hub.
How to Apply at UMN
- Create an account at hr.umn.edu/jobs.
- Search by job category (Academic, Civil Service, Labor Represented, Student).
- Prepare resume, cover letter, and references.
- Submit through the portal — background check required.
UMN Pay Ranges
| Role | Pay |
|---|---|
| Custodial / Food Service / Grounds | $17–$24/hr |
| Skilled Trades | $28–$42/hr |
| Administrative Assistant | $40,000–$55,000 |
| Mid-career Manager | $70,000–$110,000 |
| Director | $115,000–$200,000+ |
| Assistant Professor | $85,000–$130,000 |
| Associate Professor | $100,000–$155,000 |
| Full Professor (humanities) | $130,000–$200,000 |
| Full Professor (medicine, law, business) | $190,000–$380,000+ |
Benefits at UMN
Health insurance: Multiple medical plans through UPlan Medical Program, plus dental and vision.
Retirement: Faculty Retirement Plan (defined-contribution with substantial employer match) for faculty and most P&A staff; Civil Service staff participate in the Minnesota State Retirement System (MSRS) defined-benefit pension.
Regents Tuition Benefit: UMN offers the Regents Tuition Benefit Program for eligible employees (75% tuition reduction for self at most U of M coursework, plus a separate dependent benefit). Confirm specifics with HR.
How to Ask About Tuition Benefits
- Wait for the interview stage.
- Ask: “Could you walk me through the Regents Tuition Benefit Program for employees in this role and the dependent tuition benefit? I’d like to understand eligibility, percentage covered, and any service requirement.”
- Confirm specifics in writing in the offer letter.
- Note that the dependent benefit at UMN is generally well-regarded among Big Ten public flagships.
Unions at UMN
Minnesota is a strong public-sector union state. UMN has substantial unionization:
- AFSCME Locals — clerical and technical workers
- Teamsters Local 320 — some service worker categories
- Graduate Labor Union (GLU-UE) — UMN graduate workers
- Skilled Trades — trades workers through respective national craft unions and Twin Cities locals
Tenure-stream faculty are not unionized at UMN Twin Cities. M Health Fairview has separate union structures covered in our Healthcare hub. Skilled trades workers at UMN often pursue apprenticeships through Twin Cities union locals — see our Learn a Trade hub for guides on IBEW electrical training, plumber and HVAC apprenticeships, and other building-trade pathways, plus our Union vs Non-Union Apprenticeship comparison.
Student Employment
UMN employs thousands of students in residence halls, dining, library, recreation, and academic departments at hourly rates aligned with the local minimum wage. Graduate students may serve as Teaching Assistants or Research Assistants with tuition waiver, stipends, and health insurance.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I apply at UMN?
Create an account at hr.umn.edu/jobs, search by category, and submit your application materials.
What is the average pay at UMN?
Service $17–$24/hr; mid-career staff $70,000–$110,000; faculty $85,000–$380,000+ depending on rank and discipline.
Does UMN offer tuition benefits?
Yes — the Regents Tuition Benefit Program covers 75% of tuition for eligible employees at U of M coursework, plus a separate dependent benefit.
Are UMN jobs unionized?
Many are. AFSCME, Teamsters Local 320, and GLU-UE represent large categories. Tenure-stream faculty are not unionized at UMN Twin Cities.