Electrician in South Dakota

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

Median annual salary

$58,550

trending_down -6.1% vs. national

BLS OEWS 2024, South Dakota.

engineering

2,790

Jobs (SD)

monitoring Surging

+9.5%

10-yr job growth

payments

$150

Licensing fees

schedule

4 years

Time to complete

route How to become an electrician in South Dakota

To become a licensed Journeyman Electrician in South Dakota, individuals must first gain 8,000 hours of electrical trade work experience over a minimum of four years as a licensed apprentice electrician under the supervision of an electrical contractor. A two-year associate of applied science degree in electrical trades can reduce the experience requirement to 6,000 hours. Applicants must then pass the South Dakota Journeyman Electrician Exam and pay the associated application and exam fees. South Dakota offers reciprocity with several states, allowing licensed electricians from those states to obtain a South Dakota license by examination and having held it for at least one year.

bar_chart Salary percentiles

10th percentile (entry) $41,450

25th percentile $46,890

50th (median) $58,550

75th percentile $64,630

90th (experienced) $77,980

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

checklist South Dakota requirements

Licensing body	Department of Labor and Regulation, South Dakota Electrical Commission
State license	Required
Education	Completion of a 2-year associate of applied science degree in electrical trades can substitute for 2,000 hours of experience, reducing the experience requirement to 6,000 hours over three years.
Experience	8,000.0 hours
Exam	South Dakota Journeyman Electrician Exam ($110)
Application fee	$40
Renewal	Every 2.0 years
Continuing education	16.0 hours per cycle
Notes	Minimum age is 18 years old. Must possess a high school diploma or GED. Experience must be gained over at least 4 years as a licensed apprentice electrician under the supervision of an electrical contractor. At least 8 hours of the required continuing education must focus on the National Electrical Code (NEC).

Source: Department of Labor and Regulation, South Dakota Electrical Commission

workspace_premium South Dakota license tiers

South Dakota offers multiple tiers of electrician licensing:

Tier	Hours required
Apprentice	N/A
Journeyman	8,000
Contractor	12,000

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_circleSouth 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's required to work as an electrician in South Dakota? expand_more

In South Dakota, becoming an electrician requires you to complete the required education (Completion of a 2-year associate of applied science degree in electrical trades can substitute for 2,000 hours of experience, reducing the experience requirement to 6,000 hours over three years.), gain 8,000.0 hours of supervised experience, pass the South Dakota Journeyman Electrician Exam, and submit your application ($40 fee).

Does South Dakota require electrician licensure? expand_more

Yes, South Dakota requires a state license to practice as an electrician. The licensing body is Department of Labor and Regulation, South Dakota Electrical Commission. You must pass the South Dakota Journeyman Electrician Exam.

How much does an electrician make in South Dakota? expand_more

electricians in South Dakota earn a median of $58,550 annually. This trails the $62,350 national median by 6%. New electricians start around $41,450; seasoned professionals can reach $77,980.

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

Between exam fee ($110) and application fee ($40), expect to invest around varies in total to get started.

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

Most candidates in South Dakota complete the process in 4 years, from enrollment in a training program through licensure.

How many CE hours do electricians need in South Dakota? expand_more

Yes — electricians in South Dakota must complete 16.0 CE hours every 2.0 years to stay licensed.