What apprenticeships are available for lineworkers in South Dakota?

In South Dakota, registered apprenticeships are administered through the South Dakota Department of Labor - Registered Apprenticeship, which works with employers and trade union locals to register programs. See the apprenticeship section above for office contact details.

How to Become a Lineworker in South Dakota (2026)

Q: How much do lineworkers earn in South Dakota?

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data (May 2025), lineworkers in South Dakota earned a median annual wage of approximately $97,310. Employment concentration in South Dakota is about 1.91 times the national average for this occupation.

Q: What is the job outlook for lineworkers in South Dakota?

South Dakota currently employs approximately 740 workers, and the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 6.6% national employment change for this occupation from 2024 to 2034.

Updated September 2, 2026 | TradeCareerPath Editorial Team

South Dakota electrical power-line installers and repairers earn a median annual wage of $97,310 ($46.79/hr) according to U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data (May 2025), with about 740 workers employed statewide. The state median is approximately 2.1% above the national median of $95,320 for the same occupation.

Key Takeaways

Median annual pay: $97,310 ($46.79/hr)
25th percentile: $87,490 per year
75th percentile: $103,280 per year
Top 10% earn: more than $118,530 per year
Entry-level (bottom 10%): under $63,840 per year
Workers employed in South Dakota: 740
Versus national median: 2.1% above the U.S. median of $95,320
Job concentration: Location quotient 1.91 - this occupation is more concentrated in South Dakota than the national average

Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025. Last reviewed September 2, 2026.

South Dakota employs about 740 lineworkers earning a median $97,310 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Most lineworkers train through a trade school program or a registered apprenticeship before entering the field in South Dakota.

Key Facts

Median wage (South Dakota): $97,310/yr (Source: BLS OEWS, 2025)
Employed in South Dakota: 740 workers (Source: BLS OEWS, 2025)
Location quotient: 1.91x U.S. average (Source: BLS OEWS, 2025)
Projected growth: 6.6% (2024-2034) (Source: BLS Employment Projections, 2024)

At a Glance

Training paths: trade school, community college, or apprenticeship
Typical timeline: 1 to 5 years depending on the path
Median wage (South Dakota): $97,310 per year ¹

Quick Answers About How to Become a Lineworker in South Dakota

How to become a Lineworker in South Dakota? Complete a training program or apprenticeship, gain work experience, and meet any state or employer requirements for lineworkers in South Dakota.

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

What do lineworkers earn in South Dakota? The median annual wage for lineworkers in South Dakota is $97,310 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $63,840 and experienced professionals can earn $118,530 or more ¹.

How to Become a Lineworker in South Dakota

Finish high school or earn a GED. Most South 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 South 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.
Meet state and employer requirements. Confirm any registration, certification, or employer requirements that apply to lineworkers in South Dakota before you start working.

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

Lineworker Apprenticeship Information in South Dakota

Apprenticeships combine paid on-the-job training with classroom instruction and typically last 3 to 5 years. South Dakota’s apprenticeship program is administered by the South Dakota Department of Labor - Registered Apprenticeship ³.

Contact Information:

Office: StartTodaySD Apprenticeship Program
Address: 123 West Missouri Avenue, Pierre, SD 57501
Phone: (605) 910-7031
Email: [email protected]

Lineworker Wages by Metro Area in South Dakota

Electrical Power-Line Installers and Repairers Wages by Metro Area in South Dakota

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics ( OES data), electrical power-line installers and repairers wages in South Dakota vary by metro area.

Metro Area	Employment	Median Annual Wage	Avg. Annual Wage	Entry Level (10th pctile)	Experienced (90th pctile)
Sioux Falls	130	$102,600	$95,910	$64,980	$110,980
Rapid City	120	$95,220	$85,980	$49,720	$116,190
Sioux City	90	$102,340	$99,010	$78,900	$115,010

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 lineworkers in South Dakota? South Dakota currently employs approximately 740 lineworkers ¹. Nationally, lineworker employment is projected to grow 6.6% from 2024 to 2034 ².

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

How much do lineworkers earn in South Dakota compared to the national average? The median annual wage for lineworkers in South Dakota is $97,310, which is $4,750 above the national median of $92,560 according to BLS data ¹.

In South Dakota

Best Trade Schools in South 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/ ↩︎ ↩︎
South Dakota Department of Labor - Registered 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)