How to Become an Electrician in North Dakota

Becoming an Electrician in North Dakota involves a few years of training followed by licensing. The process is a learning experience but it also pays. You can work as an apprentice and learn and earn at the same time. This is a career that requires hands-on, physical work in a variety of settings. It is a great choice for anyone interested in a trade or skill that pays well. [En Español]

Requirements for Becoming an Electrician in North Dakota

Each state has its own licensing rules for electricians. In North Dakota, the State Electrical Board oversees licensing. The first step is to register as an apprentice. To qualify as a journeyman electrician, you must complete 8,000 hours of apprenticeship work in at least three years.

Alternatively, you can become a journeyman by completing a two-year electrical technology degree at a community college or trade school, along with 6,000 hours of apprenticeship experience. There is also a Class B license, which requires 3,000 hours of work experience (or two years with a degree) but limits electricians to residential work.

To become a licensed master electrician, you need 2,000 hours of experience as a journeyman. North Dakota offers three types of master licenses:

• Contracting Master Electrician – Requires liability insurance and allows you to start an electrical contracting business.
• Master of Record Electrician – Works for a company and ensures compliance with electrical codes and laws.
• Non-Contracting Master Electrician – Performs similar duties as a journeyman but must work under a contracting or master of record electrician.

Electrician Apprenticeship Programs in North Dakota

An official apprenticeship program in North Dakota provides both classroom instruction and on-the-job training, ensuring that apprentices meet the journeyman licensing requirements upon completion.

For a union apprenticeship with the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW), applicants can apply through the Dakotas Area Electrical Apprenticeship and Training Fund. Enrollment requirements include:

• Completing an interview
• Being 18 or older
• Having a high school diploma or GED
• Earning a passing grade in algebra
• Holding a valid driver’s license

The non-union option is the Independent Electrical Contractors (IEC) Dakotas Electrical Training and Apprenticeship Program. It also provides the necessary classes and work experience for licensing and has similar requirements to the union program. There are training locations in Fargo and Grand Forks in North Dakota, and Rapid City and Sioux Falls in South Dakota.

North Dakota Schools for Electricians

The other option for meeting journeyman licensing requirements is to earn a two-year degree in electrical technology. With your degree you will also need to find an apprenticeship opportunity to get 6,000 hours of work experience.

• North Dakota State College of Science, Fargo. The State College of Science has three different programs within its Architecture and Construction cluster that students can choose to begin a career as an electrician. All of these are two-year associate degree programs and include electrical construction, electrical master technician and industrial electrical. The master technician program is designed to build on the electrical theory and skills learned in the other two programs.
• Bismarck State College, Bismarck. Bismarck offers a two-year degree in electric power technology. There is a focus on power and industrial electrical work in this program, which includes online courses. Another program offered here is in electrical transmission systems technology.

Outlook and Salary Expectations

North Dakota is one of very few states in which growth for electrical careers is actually negative. It is a small decrease, though. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), there will be about 350 more jobs for electricians between 2018 and 2028. This is a 11 percent increase, and hard-working apprentices can expect to be in a good position to find a job. The training in the state is also comprehensive and can transfer well to other states.

Following your electrician apprenticeship in North Dakota, if you do land a job as a licensed electrician in the state, you can expect to earn a good living. The BLS reports that the average salary in 2019 for electricians in the state was $62,750. The electricians earning in the top 10 percent made an average of $90,620. The average salary in North Dakota for all occupations in 2019 was $50,430.

Salaries in North Dakota by Occupation 2019

Occupation	Total Employment	Mean Hourly Wage	Mean Annual Wage	Annual Salary 10th Percentile	Annual Salary 25th Percentile	Annual Salary 75th Percentile	Annual Salary 90th Percentile
Electricians	3,530	$36.60	$76,120	$43,190	$54,890	$84,980	$100,750
Electrical and Electronics Repairers, Commercial and Industrial Equipment	380	$41.06	$85,400	$64,840	$76,280	$107,710	$124,380
Electrical and Electronics Repairers, Powerhouse, Substation, and Relay	120	$52.67	$109,550	$82,370	$101,180	$119,220	$121,010
Electrical Power-Line Installers and Repairers	730	$50.05	$104,100	$71,020	$85,690	$107,400	$115,610

Electrician Salaries in North Dakota by Region 2019

Area	Total Employment	Mean Hourly Wage	Mean Annual Salary	Hourly Wage 10th Percentile	Hourly Wage 25th Percentile	Hourly Wage 75th Percentile	Hourly Wage 90th Percentile
Fargo, ND-MN	920	$32.78	$51,150	$19.34	$24.59	$37.26	$45.16
Grand Forks, ND-MN	390	$32.84	$57,000	$22.00	$27.40	$38.06	$49.53
Bismarck, ND	450	$31.03	$47,990	$20.19	$23.07	$37.34	$45.20

Working as an Electrician in North Dakota

Electricians in North Dakota have career opportunities in residential, commercial, and industrial settings. The state’s large energy industry creates demand for electricians in power plants and energy-related facilities. With a contracting master electrician license, you can start your own business, hire electricians, and offer services to the public. By completing the necessary training and licensing, you can build a stable and rewarding career as an electrician in North Dakota.

College Programs

• West Central North Dakota Nonmetropolitan Area

West Central North Dakota Nonmetropolitan Area Area

9299 Hwy 24, Fort Yates, North Dakota 58538-9721
(701) 854-8000
Electrical – Certificate Program

Sitting Bull College’s Certificate program in Electrical is based at their campus in Fort Yates in Sioux County, North Dakota. This is a full, 4-year public college with 261 students, of which 99% are undergraduates. The college is institutionally accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, The Higher Learning Commission. The cost of tuition is in the order of $3,910 yearly. Learning materials may cost about $1,200, although this will vary with the program.

* College accredition status and tuition fees and are, to our best knowledge, correct at the time of writing, and sourced from the National Center for Education Statistics (http://nces.ed.gov/). Check all details directly with college before applying.

Neighbor States

Residents of North Dakota may also wish to review their options in Montana, South Dakota and Minnesota.

FAQs

How much do electricians earn in the state of North Dakota?

According to the U.S Bureau of Labor Statistics, electricians in the state of North Dakota made an average of $64,620 per year in 2019. Entry-level electricians earned around $42,180 and some experienced professionals earned salaries as high as $90,620.