Compare accredited Electrician schools across South Dakota below, then review pay, licensing steps, and training paths for the trade.
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Best Electrician Schools in South Dakota
How We Rank Schools
We first gather the schools closest to the city or state page you are viewing, then rank that
local group by BOC Score, with the highest at the top. The BOC Score is computed from federal
IPEDS and College Scorecard data; schools without enough data to score appear last.
LOCAL RANK
Location / proximity to this page
Defines the local group
Graduation rate
30%
Median earnings, 10 years after entry
25%
Average net price (lower is better)
20%
Retention rate
15%
Fully online availability
10%
Schools without enough federal outcome data appear after ranked schools, without a score.
Advertising never affects these rankings. Read the full methodology.
BOC Score, tuition, graduation rate, and median graduate earnings from
federal IPEDS and U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard data. Earnings
are reported across all programs at the school (all majors), not a single
trade. Distance is measured from the main population center in South Dakota.
Schools closest to the main population center in South Dakota are gathered first, then ranked by BOC Score; distance from the main population center in South Dakota is shown for reference.
The BOC Score is an independent measure of school outcomes (graduation,
earnings, net price, retention) expressed as a 0–100 percentile within
each school's peer group; higher is better and advertising never affects it.
*Online availability refers to coursework; hands-on trade training is
completed in person. Read the full methodology.
Median Graduate Earnings at Electrician Schools in South DakotaSource: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard - median earnings of all graduates at each school (not a single program).
Median graduate earnings by school for schools serving Best Electrician Schools in South Dakota
School
Median graduate earnings
Mitchell Technical College
$54,865
Southeast Technical College
$53,289
Oglala Lakota College
$52,386
Sinte Gleska University
$51,797
Western Dakota Technical College
$49,930
Lake Area Technical College
$49,488
Electrician Pay and Job Outlook
What electricians earn across the pay scaleProjected job growth for electriciansTop-paying states for electricians
South Dakota Quick Facts
Metric
Value
Source
State median annual wage
$61,390
BLS OEWS, May 2025
State employment
2,980 workers
BLS OEWS, May 2025
State location quotient
1.34
BLS OEWS, May 2025
State unemployment rate
2.1%
BLS LAUS (2024)
If you want to work as an electrician in South Dakota, the first step is the right training. This means enrolling in a state-approved program that teaches electrical theory, wiring methods, safety rules, and the hands-on skills you will use every day on the job.
The state has several solid electrician schools and technical institutes. Let’s look at the best options, what they teach, and how to choose the program that fits your goals.
South Dakota Electrician Licensing Basics
Before you sign up for classes, it’s important to understand the state’s licensing rules.
In South Dakota, anyone doing electrical work for pay must hold a license from the South Dakota Electrical Commission.
The main license levels are:
Apprentice Electrician - Work under supervision while gaining hours.
Journeyman Electrician - Requires documented training and experience plus passing an exam.
Electrical Contractor - Journeyman with business licensing to hire and oversee crews.
Apprenticeship hours and classroom training must come from approved programs or registered apprenticeships. Choosing the right school will set you on the path toward taking your journeyman exam.
Comparing Program Lengths
Program Type
Typical Duration
Includes Apprenticeship?
Diploma
9-12 months
No (must join separately)
Associate Degree
2 years
No (classroom only)
Registered Apprenticeship
4 years
Yes
A diploma or associate degree gives you the classroom portion but you will still need supervised work hours. A registered apprenticeship covers both.
Steps to Become a Licensed Electrician in South Dakota
Enroll in an Approved School or Apprenticeship Choose a program recognized by the South Dakota Electrical Commission.
Register as an Apprentice You must be registered to legally work and log hours.
Complete Required Hours and Training Journeyman candidates need a minimum of 8,000 work hours plus classroom study.
Apply for the Journeyman Exam Submit proof of hours, training, and any fees to the Electrical Commission.
Pass the Journeyman Exam Covers National Electrical Code, state amendments, and practical knowledge.
Maintain and Upgrade Your License Continuing education is required for renewal.
Check the South Dakota Electrical Commission website for the latest rules, applications, and deadlines. Official site: https://dlr.sd.gov/bdcomm/electrician
How to Choose the Right School
When comparing South Dakota electrician schools, think about:
Location - Close to home or in a city with more job connections.
Program length - How quickly you want to enter the workforce.
Industry ties - Schools with employers on advisory boards tend to help with placement.
Facilities - Labs and equipment similar to what you’ll find on the job.
Contact each school’s admissions office and ask:
Is your program approved by the South Dakota Electrical Commission?
Do you help students find apprenticeships?
What percentage of graduates pass the journeyman exam on the first try?
Final Advice
The sooner you start training, the sooner you can register as an apprentice and begin earning hours toward your journeyman license. South Dakota offers a handful of solid electrician programs, with options for every part of the state.
Here’s what to do next:
Pick two or three schools from the list above.
Schedule campus visits or online info sessions.
Apply to your top choice and begin the registration process with the Electrical Commission.
The electrical trade is steady, regulated, and holds long-term opportunity. Starting with the right training program is the smartest move you can make.
Sources
Electrician Wages and Workforce in South Dakota
In South Dakota, Electrician programs train for an occupation with a median wage of about $61,390 per year, and most earn between $44,320 and $80,060 (BLS OEWS, May 2025). South Dakota employs roughly 2,980 workers in this occupation, a workforce concentration of about 1.34 times the national average (BLS OEWS, May 2025).
Trade-relevant schools serving South Dakota include Mitchell Technical College, Lake Area Technical College, and Southeast Technical College. Compare tuition, program length, and graduation outcomes in the table above (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Electrician Training and Licensing in South Dakota
Licensing for Electrician varies by state and locality. Confirm current training, exam, and credential requirements with the appropriate South Dakota licensing board before you enroll; many employers also look for recognized industry certifications.
Training paths typically range from certificate programs (6 to 12 months) and associate degrees (about 2 years) to registered apprenticeships (3 to 5 years) that combine paid on-the-job training with classroom instruction (TradeCareerPath program data).
Frequently Asked Questions
What does electrician training in South Dakota involve?
Electrician training in South Dakota is offered through trade school certificate programs (typically 6 to 12 months), community college associate degree programs (about 2 years), and registered apprenticeships that combine paid on-the-job training with related classroom instruction over 3 to 5 years. Coursework generally covers safety, applicable codes and standards, hands-on lab work, and exam preparation for any required credential.
How much do electricians earn in South Dakota?
According to BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025), electricians in South Dakota earned a median annual wage of approximately $61,390. Pay varies with experience, certification, and employer; the 10th to 90th percentile range was approximately $44,320 to $80,060 (BLS OEWS, May 2025).
What is the South Dakota license or certification process for electricians?
Licensing for electricians in South Dakota is administered by South Dakota Electrical Commission. Most candidates complete an approved training program or registered apprenticeship, log the required on-the-job hours, and pass a state exam. Confirm current hour totals, fees, and renewal terms directly with the licensing agency before enrolling. (Source: U.S. Department of Labor CareerOneStop license database.)
About this guide: Researched and written by the TradeCareerPath Editorial Team. Our editorial team researches and sources every trade school and career guide using federal labor and education data, including BLS OEWS and Employment Projections, DOL apprenticeship records, IPEDS, College Scorecard, and state licensing boards. We follow the editorial standards documented at /editorial-policy/.
Data sources
Figures on this page are sourced from the federal and state datasets below. Methodology: how we rank and source data.
Data
Provider
Vintage
Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)
