Electrician in North Dakota

Requirements, salary data, licensing costs, and career ROI for ND. Updated with 2024 BLS OEWS wage data.

Median annual salary

$65,820

trending_up +5.6% vs. national

BLS OEWS 2024, North Dakota.

engineering

3,150

Jobs (ND)

monitoring Surging

+9.5%

10-yr job growth

payments

$50

Licensing fees

schedule

3 years (minimum) to 4 years

Time to complete

route How to become an electrician in North Dakota

To become a licensed Journeyman Electrician in North Dakota, you must meet the requirements set by the North Dakota State Electrical Board. This includes completing 8,000 hours of experience, which can be obtained in no less than three years, as a registered apprentice electrician. You can substitute 2,000 hours of experience with a 2-year electrical school program or complete 576 hours of board-recognized training classes. After meeting the experience and education prerequisites, you must pass the North Dakota Journeyman Electrician Exam with a score of at least 70%. North Dakota offers reciprocity for journeyman licenses with several states, and for master licenses with Iowa, Minnesota, and South Dakota. The minimum age to work as an apprentice is 16 years old.

bar_chart Salary percentiles

10th percentile (entry) $39,830

25th percentile $52,640

50th (median) $65,820

75th percentile $81,860

90th (experienced) $101,400

Source: BLS OEWS 2024 for North Dakota. Metro-area wages may differ significantly from the state aggregate.

checklist North Dakota requirements

Licensing body	State Electrical Board
State license	Required
Education	Completion of a board-approved 2-year or more electrical school program OR 576 hours of board-recognized training classes.
Experience	8,000.0 hours
Exam	North Dakota Journeyman Electrician Exam ($25)
Application fee	$25
Renewal	Every 1.0 year
Continuing education	8.0 hours per cycle
Notes	Minimum age for an apprentice is 16 years old. To apply for the journeyman exam, you must submit an employment verification form and a certificate of completion from your apprenticeship. A passing score of 70% is required on the exam. Online continuing education courses may require facial recognition software. At least 4 of the 8 continuing education hours must be based on the current National Electrical Code (NEC).

Source: State Electrical Board

workspace_premium North Dakota license tiers

North Dakota offers multiple tiers of electrician licensing:

Tier	Hours required
Apprentice	N/A
Journeyman	8,000
Master	10,000

work_outline Job outlook

10-year growth

+9.5%

Much faster than average

Annual openings

81,000

Nationwide per year

Total employment

818,700

Nationwide

neurology

AI & tech impact

verified Low exposure -0.78/1.00

This career has low exposure to AI automation. Most tasks require physical presence, human judgment, or hands-on skills that AI cannot easily replicate.

hub

balance Is it worth it?

check_circleNorth Dakota license required — clearer credential signal to employers
check_circleStrong 10-year job growth (+9.5%)
check_circleLow AI disruption risk

psychology

Wondering if an electrician career is the right fit?

See what the day actually looks like, who the role suits, and who should skip it — grounded in real practitioner sources.

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Frequently asked questions

What are the steps to becoming an electrician in North Dakota? expand_more

To become an electrician in North Dakota, you need to complete the required education (Completion of a board-approved 2-year or more electrical school program OR 576 hours of board-recognized training classes.), gain 8,000.0 hours of supervised experience, pass the North Dakota Journeyman Electrician Exam, and submit your application ($25 fee).

Do I need a license to work as an electrician in North Dakota? expand_more

Yes, North Dakota requires a state license to practice as an electrician. The licensing body is State Electrical Board. You must pass the North Dakota Journeyman Electrician Exam.

What is the average electrician salary in North Dakota? expand_more

In North Dakota, the median pay for electricians comes to $65,820/year. This exceeds the $62,350 national median by 6%. The range spans from $39,830 at the entry level to $101,400 for top earners.

How much does it cost to become an electrician in North Dakota? expand_more

The full cost to enter the field runs about varies, factoring in exam fee ($25) and application fee ($25) and required training.

What's the timeline to become an electrician in North Dakota? expand_more

In North Dakota, becoming an electrician generally takes 3 years (minimum) to 4 years, accounting for education requirements, hands-on training, and the exam process.

What are the continuing education requirements for electricians in North Dakota? expand_more

Yes — electricians in North Dakota must complete 8.0 CE hours every 1.0 year to stay licensed.