Electrician in North Dakota

Requirements, salary data, licensing costs, and career ROI for ND

Median Salary
$65,820
North Dakota (2024)
National Median
$62,350
All states
License Fees
$50
Exam + application
Time to Complete
3 years (minimum) to 4 years
From start to licensed

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.

Electrician Requirements in North Dakota

DetailNorth Dakota
Licensing BodyState Electrical Board
State License Required Yes
EducationCompletion of a board-approved 2-year or more electrical school program OR 576 hours of board-recognized training classes.
Experience Required8,000.0 hours
Exam North Dakota Journeyman Electrician Exam ($25)
Application Fee$25
RenewalEvery 1.0 year
Continuing Education8.0 hours per cycle
NotesMinimum 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

License Tiers

North Dakota offers multiple tiers of electrician licensing:

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

Electrician Salary in North Dakota

The median electrician salary in North Dakota is $65,820 per year, which is 5.6% above the national median of $62,350.

PercentileAnnual Salary
10th (entry level)$39,830
25th$52,640
50th (median)$65,820
75th$81,860
90th (experienced)$101,400

North Dakota employs approximately 3,150 electricians.

Electrician Job Outlook

10-Year Growth
+9.5%
Much faster than average
Annual Openings
81
Nationwide per year
Total Employment
818.7
Nationwide

AI Impact on Electricians

Low AI Exposure (Score: -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.

Is Becoming an Electrician in North Dakota Worth It?

Factors to consider: North Dakota's cost of living, the state licensing requirement, strong job growth, low AI disruption risk, and your personal career goals.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the steps to becoming an electrician in North Dakota?
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?
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?
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?
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?
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?
Yes — electricians in North Dakota must complete 8.0 CE hours every 1.0 year to stay licensed.

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