Do electricians need a license in North Dakota?

Yes. North Dakota requires state-level licensing or registration for electricians, administered by the ND State Electrical Board. See the licensing section above for credential types and current requirements.

What apprenticeships are available for electricians in North Dakota?

In North Dakota, registered apprenticeships are administered through the North Dakota Workforce Development - Apprenticeship, which works with employers and trade union locals to register programs. See the apprenticeship section above for office contact details.

How to Become an Electrician in North Dakota (2026)

Q: How much do electricians earn in North Dakota?

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data (May 2025), electricians in North Dakota earned a median annual wage of approximately $65,710. Employment concentration in North Dakota is about 1.71 times the national average for this occupation.

Q: What is the job outlook for electricians in North Dakota?

North Dakota currently employs approximately 3,570 workers, and the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 9.5% national employment change for this occupation from 2024 to 2034.

Updated June 8, 2026 | TradeCareerPath Editorial Team

North Dakota electricians earn a median annual wage of $65,710 ($31.59/hr) according to U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data (May 2025), with about 3,570 workers employed statewide. The state median is approximately 4.0% above the national median of $63,190 for the same occupation.

Key Takeaways

Median annual pay: $65,710 ($31.59/hr)
25th percentile: $56,920 per year
75th percentile: $80,510 per year
Top 10% earn: more than $101,020 per year
Entry-level (bottom 10%): under $46,440 per year
Workers employed in North Dakota: 3,570
Versus national median: 4.0% above the U.S. median of $63,190
Job concentration: Location quotient 1.71 - this occupation is more concentrated in North Dakota than the national average

Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025. Last reviewed June 8, 2026.

North Dakota employs about 3,570 electricians earning a median $65,710 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Training as an electrician here means working through a trade school or registered apprenticeship and meeting the ND State Electrical Board credentialing requirements.

North Dakota employs approximately 3,570 electricians according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $65,710 ¹. The state’s concentration of electrician jobs is 1.71x the national average, indicating strong demand. Nationally, electrician employment is projected to grow 9.5% from 2024 to 2034, with about 81,000 openings per year ². This page covers how to become an Electrician in North Dakota, including licensing requirements, training programs, and salary data.

At a Glance

Training paths: trade school, community college, or apprenticeship
Typical timeline: 1 to 5 years depending on the path
Licensing authority: ND State Electrical Board
Median wage (North Dakota): $65,710 per year ¹
Exam requirement: No exam required

Quick Answers About How to Become an Electrician in North Dakota

How to become an Electrician in North Dakota? North Dakota requires credentials such as Electricians (Apprentice), Electricians (Journeyman), Electricians (Master). The licensing authority is the ND State Electrical Board ³. You also need to complete an approved training program or apprenticeship.

How long does it take? Most paths into the electrician field take 1 to 5 years, depending on whether you complete a trade school program, a registered apprenticeship, or a combination of both.

Do I need a license in North Dakota? Yes. North Dakota has licensing or registration requirements for electricians. The ND State Electrical Board oversees licensing ³. See the licensing section below for details.

What do electricians earn in North Dakota? The median annual wage for electricians in North Dakota is $65,710 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $46,440 and experienced professionals can earn $101,020 or more ¹.

How to Become an Electrician in North Dakota

Finish high school or earn a GED. Most North Dakota training programs and registered apprenticeships require a high school diploma or GED to enroll.
Complete a training program or apprenticeship. Enroll in an approved trade school program or a registered apprenticeship in North Dakota that combines classroom instruction with supervised hands-on hours.
Gain supervised work experience. Build documented on-the-job hours under a qualified supervisor; confirm the exact total currently required with the licensing board.
Pass the state exam and apply for your license. Apply to the ND State Electrical Board, pass the required examination, and obtain the electrician credential before working unsupervised in North Dakota.

Steps and hour totals vary by credential level; confirm current requirements with the state board before you apply.

Electrician License Requirements in North Dakota

The ND State Electrical Board oversees electrician licensing in North Dakota ³.

License Types

License	Requirements
Electricians (Apprentice)	For more information about the licensing process, including application and renewal fees, please check with the licensing authority.
Electricians (Journeyman)	For more information about the licensing process, including application and renewal fees, please check with the licensing authority.
Electricians (Master)	For more information about the licensing process, including application and renewal fees, please check with the licensing authority.
Electricians (Class B)	For more information about the licensing process, including application and renewal fees, please check with the licensing authority.

Additional Requirements

Background check: Specific type of conviction prohibited
Exam: No exam required

License information sourced from CareerOneStop ⁴.

Electrician Apprenticeship Information in North Dakota

Apprenticeships combine paid on-the-job training with classroom instruction and typically last 3 to 5 years. North Dakota’s apprenticeship program is administered by the North Dakota Workforce Development - Apprenticeship ⁵.

Contact Information:

Office: Bismarck Field Office
Address: 304 E. Broadway, Bismarck, ND 58501-5900
Phone: (701) 250-4700
Email: [email protected]

Electrician Wages by Metro Area in North Dakota

Electricians Wages by Metro Area in North Dakota

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics ( OES data), electricians wages in North Dakota vary by metro area.

Metro Area	Employment	Median Annual Wage	Avg. Annual Wage	Entry Level (10th pctile)	Experienced (90th pctile)
Fargo	920	$76,950	$71,440	$46,800	$100,320
Bismarck	480	$61,900	$66,950	$46,630	$92,730
Grand Forks	350	$69,710	$67,500	$44,670	$94,790
Minot	340	$59,800	$67,180	$45,700	$96,830

Wages reflect survey data and vary based on experience, credentials, employer, and local market conditions. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May .

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the job outlook for electricians in North Dakota? North Dakota currently employs approximately 3,570 electricians ¹. Nationally, electrician employment is projected to grow 9.5% from 2024 to 2034 ².

Can I work as an electrician in North Dakota with an out-of-state license? Contact the ND State Electrical Board for details on reciprocity and credential transfer.

What training programs are available in North Dakota? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and apprenticeship programs. Use the school finder above to search for programs in North Dakota. You can also contact the North Dakota Workforce Development - Apprenticeship for apprenticeship opportunities.

How much do electricians earn in North Dakota compared to the national average? The median annual wage for electricians in North Dakota is $65,710, which is $3,360 above the national median of $62,350 according to BLS data ¹.

In North Dakota

Best Trade Schools in North Dakota (2026)

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Citations

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/.

References

Bureau of Labor Statistics - Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics: https://www.bls.gov/oes/ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
Bureau of Labor Statistics - Employment Projections: https://www.bls.gov/emp/ ↩︎ ↩︎
ND State Electrical Board - Licensing Information: http://www.ndseb.com/ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
CareerOneStop - Licensed Occupations: https://www.careeronestop.org/Toolkit/Training/find-licenses.aspx ↩︎
North Dakota Workforce Development - Apprenticeship: https://www.apprenticeship.gov/ ↩︎

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)	U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics	May 2025
Employment Projections	U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics	2024-2034
Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System	National Center for Education Statistics (IPEDS)	2024
College Scorecard (school-level outcomes)	U.S. Department of Education	latest release
College Scorecard (field-of-study earnings)	U.S. Department of Education	latest release (updated 2026-06-12)
Occupational licensing requirements	CareerOneStop (U.S. Department of Labor)	latest release (updated 2026-02-22)
Registered apprenticeship programs	CareerOneStop / Apprenticeship.gov (U.S. Department of Labor)	latest release (updated 2025-10-25)
O*NET occupation profiles (skills, tasks, tools, job zones)	U.S. Department of Labor (O*NET / Employment & Training Admin.)	O*NET 29.1 (updated 2026-06-13)