Electrician Apprenticeships in South Dakota

1 electrician apprenticeship program is listed in South Dakota. None currently have applications confirmed open on file. Check each sponsor for current availability.

Programs listed

Starting pay

$17/hr

Need a license first?

Usually no

Last reviewed

Apr 24, 2026

Browse South Dakota electrician openings See all apprenticeship trades in South Dakota

Electrician apprenticeship programs in South Dakota

Application status is unknown for this opening. Each card shows the last check on file.

Confirm pay, deadlines, and how to apply on the sponsor site.

Browse all 1 programs

Electrician · IBEW Local 426 Apprenticeship

IBEW Local 426 · Sioux Falls, South Dakota

Application status unknown·Checked 30+ days ago · Jul 14, 2026

Starting pay

$17/hr

Top-out pay

$52/hr

5-year programIn person

IBEW Local 426 offers Electrician and Lineman Apprenticeship programs through partnerships like the Dakotas Electrical Apprenticeship.

Program website

Do you qualify for most South Dakota electrician apprenticeships?

Usually yes. Most South Dakota electrician programs look for a valid ID, reliable transportation, and enough math comfort to pass entry screens or interviews.

Most sponsors ask for a valid ID and a reliable way to get to the jobsite or training center.
Expect some math screening, especially algebra and measurement, since electrical work requires foundational math skills.
Have a high school diploma or GED, as most South Dakota apprenticeship programs require it.
Some openings also add drug screening, background checks, or physical-work requirements depending on the contractor and jobsite.

Sources:Current South Dakota electrician openings SD Electrical Commission - Licensing

What electrician apprentices make in South Dakota

Current South Dakota electrician openings on tradeschool.fyi show starting pay around $17/hr and completion pay around $52/hr.

Pay can vary a lot by location, contractor, and union agreement, so the openings below are usually the best read on what sponsors are offering right now.

When a listing shows completion pay, compare it with starting pay to see what the training path can lead to.

Programs listed: 1
Accepting now: 0
Starting pay: $17/hr
Completion pay: $52/hr

Sources:Current South Dakota electrician openings

Do you need a license before you apply?

Usually not. Most people start by applying to a program or employer first and deal with contractor licensing later in their career.

You do not need a South Dakota electrical contractor license to start applying for most apprenticeships. The immediate gate is usually the local program, contractor, or union sponsor that is hiring.

South Dakota's contractor-license rules matter later, when you want to move into licensed commercial contractor work. The state path asks for age 18+, a high school diploma or GED, and four years of apprenticeship experience (8,000 hours) before the journeyman exam.

If you are trying to get started now, focus on openings that are active, check the sponsor's entry requirements, and treat contractor licensing as a later-career step.

Sources:SD Electrical Commission - Licensing SD Electrical Commission - Default Page

How to apply

Start with an opening below, then confirm the application status on that sponsor's site.

1. Begin by exploring active electrician apprenticeship openings in South Dakota. Currently, IBEW Local 426 in Sioux Falls is accepting applications. Check their specific requirements and deadlines.
2. Prepare essential documents such as your resume, ID, high school diploma or GED, work history, and any relevant classroom or trade-school records before applying.
3. Follow the application process outlined by the apprenticeship sponsor, which may include testing, interviews, or document submission. Confirm how on-the-job training hours and classroom instruction will be managed.
4. Maintain detailed records of your work experience from the start, as this will be crucial if you choose to pursue a contractor license in the future.

Sources:Current South Dakota electrician openings SD Electrical Commission - Licensing

Before you apply: questions to check with the sponsor

Are applications open, and what is the deadline? A program listed here may not be accepting applicants today.
Which documents and tests does this program require? Check the sponsor’s instructions before paying for a test or submitting documents.
What is the starting apprentice wage? Ask about wage increases, classroom costs, tools, and travel. Completion pay is the rate after training.
Where are classes and job sites, and what is the weekly schedule?
If applications are closed, can you join an official notification list or check a published recruitment calendar?

Use the program website links above for the sponsor’s current instructions. Save or compare programs while you check your options.

Compare apprenticeships with trade school

Common questions

Do I need a South Dakota electrical contractor license to start an apprenticeship?

Not usually. The contractor license is the later-career credential for independent contractor work. Entry into an apprenticeship usually starts with the sponsor's own hiring process.

What does South Dakota require before someone can take the journeyman electrician exam?

You must complete four years (8,000 hours) as a licensed apprentice electrician working under a licensed electrical contractor. Then pass the journeyman exam administered by the South Dakota Electrical Commission.

Who oversees electrical licensing in South Dakota?

The South Dakota Electrical Commission issues apprentice, journeyman, and contractor licenses uniformly statewide. Rules apply the same way across South Dakota.

What happens after I finish my apprenticeship in South Dakota?

You can take the journeyman exam after logging 8,000 hours as a licensed apprentice. After passing, you hold a journeyman license and can work independently or pursue contractor credentials later.

What does South Dakota require for an electrical contractor license after journeyman status?

Work at least two additional years as a licensed journeyman (4,000 hours, including 2,000 commercial hours) under a licensed electrical contractor. Then pass the electrical contractor exam and submit a $10,000 surety bond with your application.

Official South Dakota sources

Use these state and licensing sources to verify rules, deadlines, and longer-term credential requirements.

Reviewed against official sources

This guide combines current South Dakota electrician openings on tradeschool.fyi with official state or municipal sources.

Reviewer: tradeschool.fyi editorial team

Openings and pay snapshots are generated from current South Dakota electrician openings on tradeschool.fyi.
Licensing and credential details are checked against the official sources listed on this page.
Use the sponsor or state site for the final word on deadlines, application status, and licensing requirements.

Ready to look at South Dakota electrician openings?

Start with the current openings, then verify the final details on the sponsor's site before you apply.

Browse South Dakota electrician openings See all apprenticeship trades in South Dakota Official South Dakota source

Use sponsor and state sites for the final word on deadlines, eligibility, and licensing rules.