How to Become An Electrician in North Dakota
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.
Quick Answers About Becoming An Electrician in North Dakota
How do I 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 take 1 to 5 years depending on whether you choose trade school, an 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.
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
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
- Experience: No experience 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 (2025 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 2025.
Top Metros for Electricians in North Dakota
The metropolitan areas listed below report the highest electrician employment within North Dakota according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025).
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage |
|---|---|---|
| Fargo | 920 | $76,950 |
| Bismarck | 480 | $61,900 |
| Grand Forks | 350 | $69,710 |
| Minot | 340 | $59,800 |
Explore electrician programs in Fargo, Bismarck, and Grand Forks.
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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 accredited 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.
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) |