Electrician Schools in South Dakota

Today’s conveniences and technologies depend on electrical systems and electrical technology. Not only do legacy wiring and components in residential and commercial environments depend on electricity, but new technologies such as smart devices, automation systems, and renewable systems also rely heavily on electrical technology.

Electricians are the professionals behind making all of these systems work as well and efficiently as they must. This is one of the reasons why the profession has been so appealing and remains so for fresh candidates looking to enter a fulfilling discipline.

This page’s guide breaks down the steps and considerations needed to become an established electrician in South Dakota.

How to Become an Electrician in South Dakota

The steps to becoming an electrician in South Dakota have been outlined below.

Classroom Training

The first step to becoming an electrician in South Dakota is to receive training, specifically classroom training, on the fundamental principles of the job. Such training is available through vocational schools, community colleges, and apprenticeship programs.

Here, candidates are to learn fundamental principles of electrical technology, the national electric code, and safety principles, among other key topics.

Hands-On Training

Hands-on training in a real-world environment is also needed to launch an electrician career in South Dakota. This will ensure that candidates are confident and skilled enough to perform their duties in a high-pressure environment.

The specific duration of classroom and hands-on training students need to become electricians in South Dakota will depend on where they want to focus. We explore this issue further in the section dealing with licensing requirements below.

Employment & Continuing Education

Those who have received training and completed the licensure process may go on to secure employment as professional electricians in South Dakota. They are also expected to continue to improve themselves through continuing education. Joining a professional organization and acquiring credentials will contribute sufficiently to career growth while opening networking opportunities.

Explore trades with similar paths:

• Learn to become a welder in South Dakota

Licensure & Certification Requirements

In South Dakota, the organization responsible for overseeing electrician licensing affairs is the South Dakota Department of Labor and Regulation, specifically through the Electrical Commission. To be licensed by the department, candidates must pass through the steps highlighted above, including 8,000 hours of experience through on-the-job training or 6,000 hours of experience with 2 years of academic training.

Candidates who meet the requirements may apply for their license by paying a $40 application fee and a $40 licensing fee. They are also expected to renew their licenses every two years through 16 hours of continuing education.

After becoming a journeyman electrician, the next licensing category in South Dakota is the Electrical Contractor category. Journeyman electricians licensed for two years may apply for a contractor license.

Top Electrician Schools in South Dakota

The following entries are some of the best training programs for future electricians in South Dakota.

Explore electrician schools in South Dakota by city:

• Electrician schools in Sioux Falls

Salary & Career Outlook

Electricians who earn an annual average salary of $90,463 in South Dakota are among the highest-paid in the state. Candidates usually reach this point because they have optimized certain factors, including their experience level, specialty credentials, and establishment/capacity of employment.

Those who still need to be among the highest-paid may be among the median earners, making an annual average salary of $60,878, or among the lowest-paid, taking home an annual average salary of $40,969.

Another factor that can easily influence how much an electrician makes in South Dakota is the location of the city where they secure employment. For instance, the average electrician in Aberdeen earns as much as $75,525 in annual salary, which makes them the highest-paid electrician in the state by location alone.

Sioux Falls residents are also well-rewarded, with an annual average salary of $65,570. At the same time, Hot Springs remains the third-highest location for electricians in the state, with an annual average salary of $65,006.