North Dakota Electrician Pay by Trade
Updated 2026-10-29 · 1 trade with 5+ disclosed-pay postings
The North Dakota electrician labor market
North Dakota is a boom-bust energy electrician market dominated by the Bakken oilfield, with Fargo stability as ballast. The Williston Basin sustains oilfield electrical and instrumentation crews through price cycles — housing, man-camp infrastructure, gas plants, and pipeline electrical work that pays hardship premiums when crude is high and sheds contractors when it falls. Fargo brings healthcare (Sanford, Essentia), North Dakota State University construction, and Microsoft's data center presence; Bismarck adds state government and utility work; Grand Forks contributes the university and GrandSky UAS tech park. The Great River Energy coal fleet and growing wind farms employ utility electricians statewide. Licensing is state-level through the Electrical Board (journeyman, master, contractor) with consistent enforcement — portable statewide. North Dakota is right-to-work with modest union density outside Fargo public work (locals include Local 1426 Fargo, Local 714 Bismarck); there is no state prevailing-wage law. Workforce dynamics are the most cyclical in the country: Bakken booms pull travelers nationally on exceptional packages while busts empty the patch in months — electricians who bank boom earnings and keep a Fargo commercial base ride it best. No income tax (a flat low rate) and employer-provided housing during booms sweeten the math. For electricians, Bakken oilfield and instrumentation tickets top the national pay charts during upswings; Fargo commercial and healthcare work offers the steadiest year-round employment.
| Trade | Median ($/hr) | Middle 50% ($/hr) | Postings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Journeyman Electrician | $64 | $61.50–$65 | 7 |
Medians come from active postings with disclosed pay; each trade page compares them against BLS OES and IBEW scales. How we calculate pay →
Frequently asked questions
What does an electrician make in North Dakota?
Based on 7 disclosed-pay postings tracked by ElectricianDB, the median hourly pay for journeyman electrician work in North Dakota is $64.00/hr. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports a statewide electrician median of $31.59/hr.
Where are the highest-paying electrician jobs in North Dakota?
The strongest recent postings cluster around Trenton, Harwood, Hardwood. Top-end rates on active postings run above the $64.00/hr median — see the highest-paying openings listed on this page for current examples.
Which employers pay electricians the most in North Dakota?
Among employers with repeated postings in North Dakota, a mix of regional contractors show the highest average disclosed minimums. Averages reflect posted ranges, not verified take-home pay.
Do you need a North Dakota electrician license to work there?
Most states require a license for unsupervised electrical work, and requirements vary by state and municipality — see our step-by-step licensing pathway for North Dakota for the exact hours, exam, and fees.
What's the prevailing wage for electricians in North Dakota?
Prevailing-wage coverage depends on federal and state funding rules that differ by project and jurisdiction — see North Dakota prevailing wage rates for the current determinations.
How many electrician jobs are posted in North Dakota right now?
ElectricianDB is currently tracking 7 disclosed-pay journeyman electrician postings in North Dakota. Counts change as contractors post and fill roles.