South Dakota requires a state-level electrician license. The licensing authority is South Dakota Electrical Commission. The median salary is $51,940 per year.
Last updated 2026-05-08
South Dakota requires an electrician to hold a state license. Perform and supervise electrical installations under the scope allowed by the jurisdiction. Licensing is administered by the South Dakota Electrical Commission.
| Minimum Age | 18 years old |
| Education | High school diploma or GED |
| Work Experience | 8,000 hours (48 months) |
South Dakota requires passing the South Dakota Journeyman Electrician Exam with a minimum score of 70%. The exam is open book. The application fee is $50.
| Exam Name | South Dakota Journeyman Electrician Exam |
| Format | 80 multiple choice questions |
| Time Limit | 4 hours |
| Passing Score | 70% |
| Code Edition | 2023 NEC |
| Open Book? | Yes — codebook permitted |
| Application Fee | $50 |
Practice with real exam-style questions based on the 2023 NEC.
Start Practice Exam — $2.99 →Getting licensed as an electrician in South Dakota takes 48 months on the typical path. Here are the steps.
The total cost includes an exam application fee of $50 and renewal fees of $170 every 2 years. Continuing education of 16 hours is required per renewal cycle.
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
| Exam Application | $50 |
| License Renewal | $170 every 2 years |
| Continuing Education | 16 hours (8 hrs code + 8 hrs elective) |
Electricians in South Dakota earn a median salary of $51,940, which is less than the national average. Data from BLS OEWS May 2024. Once licensed, electricians in South Dakota handle projects with real cost variation by region — see electrical project costs in South Dakota.
| Mean (average) | — / year |
| Entry level (10th pct) | — |
| Top earners (90th pct) | — |
| Total employed | 2,810 in South Dakota |
| National average | $65,280 |
Yes — South Dakota has reciprocal licensing agreements that allow licensed electricians from 1 states to transfer their credentials without retaking the full exam.
Journeyworker Reciprocity (1 states)
Yes — South Dakota requires a state-level electrician license. Perform and supervise electrical installations under the scope allowed by the jurisdiction.
The required exam is the South Dakota Journeyman Electrician Exam. You need a score of 70% to pass. The exam fee is $50.
The median annual salary for electricians in South Dakota is $51,940. The national median is $65,280.
South Dakota requires 16 hours of continuing education for license renewal every 2 years.
Yes — South Dakota has reciprocal licensing agreements with 1 states for journeyworker-level licenses.
The fastest path takes approximately 36 months. The typical path takes 48 months including experience requirements.