Electrician in South Dakota
Requirements, salary data, licensing costs, and career ROI for SD
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.
Electrician Requirements in South Dakota
| Detail | South Dakota |
|---|---|
| Licensing Body | Department of Labor and Regulation, South Dakota Electrical Commission |
| State License Required | Yes |
| 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 Required | 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
License Tiers
South Dakota offers multiple tiers of electrician licensing:
| Tier | Hours Required |
|---|---|
| Apprentice | N/A |
| Journeyman | 8,000 |
| Contractor | 12,000 |
Electrician Salary in South Dakota
The median electrician salary in South Dakota is $58,550 per year, which is 6.1% below the national median of $62,350.
| Percentile | Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 10th (entry level) | $41,450 |
| 25th | $46,890 |
| 50th (median) | $58,550 |
| 75th | $64,630 |
| 90th (experienced) | $77,980 |
South Dakota employs approximately 2,790 electricians.
Electrician Job Outlook
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 South Dakota Worth It?
Factors to consider: South Dakota's cost of living, the state licensing requirement, strong job growth, low AI disruption risk, and your personal career goals.