Electrician Schools in South Dakota: The Ultimate Guide

Accredited South Dakota Electrician Training Programs

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), “Most electricians learn their trade in a 4- or 5-year apprenticeship program. For each year of the program, apprentices typically receive 2,000 hours of paid on-the-job training as well as some technical instruction. Workers who gained electrical work experience in the military or in the construction industry may qualify for a shortened apprenticeship based on their experience and testing. Some electricians start out by attending a technical school. Many technical schools offer programs related to circuitry, safety practices, and basic electrical information. Graduates of these programs usually receive credit toward their apprenticeship.” 

According to the BLS, some electricians enter apprenticeship programs after working as an electrician helper. The Home Builders Institute offers a pre-apprenticeship certificate training (PACT) program for eight construction trades, including electricians.

The South Dakota Department of Labor and Regulation through the South Dakota Electrical Commission licenses every level of this workforce at the state level—including apprentice electricians—requiring applicants to meet on-the-job training and in some cases classroom instruction requirements. Most people entering the electrician industry in South Dakota learn on-the-job as an apprentice electrician either in a formal union or nonunion apprenticeship or by working for an electrical contractor. Unlike many states, South Dakota doesn’t offer a master electrician license.

The following community colleges and training centers offer electrician classes in South Dakota:

• Mitchell Technical Institute in Mitchell

• Western Dakota Technical Institute in Rapid City

• Southeast Technical College in Sioux Falls

South Dakota Apprenticeships

• Dakotas Area Electrical Apprenticeship and Training Fund (Dakotas JATC)

  • Electrical Apprenticeship

  • Telecommunications Apprenticeship

• Independent Electrical Contractors of Dakotas (IEC)

• Electrical Business: Many South Dakota businesses provide hands-on training while relying on community colleges to provide the necessary classroom instruction to meet U.S. Department of Labor (USDOL) and/or DOPL apprenticeship standards.

Electrician Degrees & Certificates

As you weigh the benefits of formal training at a trade school or technical college, you may want to speak with people in the field in the state where you intend to work. The licensing requirements vary from state to state, and some require a minimum amount of education, as does South Dakota.

There’s typically a range of degree and certificate programs, but again most electricians enter an apprenticeship rather than a college program. Some electrical contractors may allow you to get hands-on training with them while also attending a college program at night or on the weekend. If you choose to start at a technical college, the time it takes to complete each kind of program and the cost of each are the most significant differences. The most common programs are:

• Certificate Program – three to six months

• Associate’s Degree – two years

• Bachelor’s Degree – four years

Put simply, the longer the program, the more it costs. If you wish to be an electrical engineer, you’ll need at least a four-year bachelor’s degree. If this is a path that interests you, you may want to explore the Electrical Engineering Bachelor of Science degree at one of the four-year universities in South Dakota like:

• South Dakota State University in Brookings

• South Dakota Mines School of Technology in Rapid City

As stated earlier, formal education can pay off in the form of higher wages.

Typical Courses in Technical College Programs

Electrician programs at technical colleges are all intended to prepare students for careers in commercial, industrial, or residential electrical applications. All combine theory and the practical skills needed to do the job. Most encourage students to work in their field of interest while attending school. Some are intended to give students a base of knowledge to prepare them to be helpers and get that first job with a licensed electrician. 

Typically, these programs include coursework in the fundamentals of the electrical trade. Classroom and laboratory experiences allow students to become proficient in the installation and maintenance of electrical wiring, transformers, A/C and D/C motor control circuit, instrumentation, and programmable logic controllers used in residential, commercial, and industrial settings. They all cover safety and the National Electric Code (NEC). Among the most common classes offered in these programs are:

• Foundations of Mathematics

• Industrial Safety Procedures

• Direct Current

• Alternating Current

• Electrical Prints, Schematics, and Symbols

• Commercial Wiring

• Programmable Controllers

• Residential Wiring

• Electrical Controls

• Diagnostic Troubleshooting

School Selection Criteria

There are a lot of things to consider when picking the right school and program.

Cost

Cost is, of course, at the top of the list. According to Community College Review, tuition at South Dakota community colleges on average is $5,786 per year for both in-state and out-of-state students. However, many of the accredited electrical training programs listed here are part of apprenticeship programs and tuition may be reimbursed by or paid for outright by the student’s employer or union. There will be some variations in fees at each school, too, so be sure to review all of the costs involved. 

You will also incur costs for books and tools, but those tools are yours to keep as you enter your field. All students who are interested in receiving federal (Pell Grant) and any state grants apply by completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form online.

Program Length

Apprentices have two paths to becoming licensed electricians. Candidates can complete 8,000 hours (four years) of electrical trade work experience, or obtain a two-year associate of applied science degree in electrical trades and complete 6,000 hours of on-the-job training. Most require candidates to have a high school diploma or GED.

Level of Difficulty

Electrician training programs are designed to prepare graduates for entry-level positions in commercial, industrial, or residential sectors as an electrical technician. The BLS says technical instruction for apprentices includes electrical theory, blueprint reading, mathematics, electrical code requirements, and safety and first-aid practices. Students may also receive specialized training related to soldering, communications, fire alarm systems, and elevators.

School Comparison: At a Glance

The accredited training schools listed in this article are part of South Dakota’s college system. They typically offer students financial aid in the form of grants. Apprenticeships have limited openings for candidates, and many of the programs below are only available to students who participate in a registered apprenticeship.

Mitchell Technical Institute - Electrical Construction and Maintenance Program: Graduate receives 2,000 hours toward certification as a journeyman electrician.

Western Dakota Technical Institute - Electrical Trades Program: Offers a two-year Associate of Applied Science degree.

Southeast Technical College - Electrician Associate Degree Program: Offers a two-year Associate of Applied Science degree.

Dakotas Area Electrical Apprenticeship and Training Fund - Both the Electrical Apprenticeship and Telecommunications Apprenticeship fulfill the 8,000 hours needed to apply for a journeyman license.

Steps for Enrollment in South Dakota

Every training program has its own way of doing things, but in general the process begins with applying online. Some require that you pay an application fee and provide several documents. In general, the application process includes the following steps:

1. Complete your application.

2. Pay the application fee (if applicable).

3. Provide proof of residency to qualify for in-state tuition.

4. Have sealed official high school transcript or GED scores sent.

5. Submit placement test scores.

6. If applicable, apply for on-campus housing.

If you choose to start with an apprenticeship, you will want to contact the JATC, local union, or IEC or ABC chapter closest to you. Each organization has a slightly different application process, but the application requirements in general are:

• Must be at least 18 years of age.

• Must be a high school graduate, senior scheduled to graduate or have earned a GED certificate. Applicants will be required to provide a copy of their diploma or GED certificate, and an official transcript of their grades following submission of the application.

• Must have a valid driver’s license.

• Have passed high school algebra or an equivalent post-high school algebra class with a “C” or better or pass an aptitude test.

• Pass a drug screen and criminal background checks.

Electrician Career Requirements in South Dakota

The first step is to register as an apprentice, either with a union or private company. To become eligible for a journeyman electrician license in South Dakota, you need to obtain four years (8,000 hours) of on-the-job electrical training, or obtain a two-year associate of applied science degree in electrical trades and complete 6,000 hours of on-the-job training. South Dakota electricians become eligible to earn an electrical contractor license after holding a journeyman electrician license for two years.

After licensing, South Dakota electricians must complete continuing education to keep their electrician license active. Both journeyman and electrical contractors need to renew their licenses every two years and complete at least 16 hours of continuing education, eight of which must focus on the NEC. South Dakota offers license reciprocity with the following states:

• Alaska - Journeyman only

• Arkansas - Journeyman only

• Colorado - Journeyman only

• Idaho - Journeyman only

• Iowa - Journeyman and Electrical Contractor

• Minnesota - Journeyman and Electrical Contractor

• Montana - Journeyman only

• Nebraska - Journeyman and Electrical Contractor

• New Hampshire - Journeyman only

• New Mexico - Journeyman only

• North Dakota - Journeyman and Electrical Contractor

• Oklahoma - Journeyman only

• Texas - Journeyman only

• Utah - Journeyman only 

• Wyoming - Journeyman and Electrical Contractor 

For a detailed explanation of South Dakota’s electrical licensing requirements and how to fulfill them, check out our essential guide to getting your South Dakota Electrical License.

Salaries for Electricians in South Dakota

Before paying for technical education or completing a lengthy apprenticeship to become an electrician, you’ll want some idea of the potential return on your investment of time, effort, energy, and money. In other words, what can you expect to make as an electrical professional in South Dakota? Payscale.com data provides an answer based on your experience. The median electrician salary in South Dakota for 2023 is:

• Entry level <2 years: $50,500

• Intermediate 2-4 years: $60,000

• Senior 4-6 years: $66,700

• Supervisor > 7 years: $94,700

For more information about electrician salaries, visit this state-by-state guide.

Industry Apprenticeships

To meet apprenticeship requirements in South Dakota, you must have a high school diploma or GED. Interested applicants should apply directly to the company or trade school with which they’d like to apprentice. Remember, apprenticeship—or working under the supervision of a licensed electrician—is required to become a licensed electrician in South Dakota.

The Dakotas Area Electrical Apprenticeship and Training Fund offers apprenticeships in Rapid City and Sioux Falls.

The National Electrical Contractors Association (NECA) and the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) offer union-based apprenticeships for aspiring South Dakota electricians. The Independent Electrical Contractors of South Dakota, a nonunion trade group, offers apprenticeship programs through local merit shops.

Other School Options

In addition to the training programs and schools already mentioned, there are training centers in neighboring Minnesota, Nebraska, and North Dakota.

• North Dakota State College of Science in Fargo

• Lake Superior College in Duluth, Minnesota

• Metropolitan Community College in Omaha, Nebraska

You can find the training you need to excel in a career as an electrician in South Dakota. The opportunities are all around you.