Industrial Electrical and Electronics Repairer Career Assessment
Repairing electrical equipment in plants and factories
Welcome
Industrial electrical and electronics repairers fix the motors, controls, and electronic equipment that run factories, plants, and processing facilities.
In North Dakota, this is one of the highest-paying jobs on the trades list. You will explore whether it fits you.
This takes about 15 minutes.
What is a Industrial Electrical and Electronics Repairer?
These repairers test, troubleshoot, and fix electrical and electronic equipment like motors, drives, control panels, sensors, and computer-controlled machines (PLCs). They keep production running.
The Reality: You work around high-voltage equipment where mistakes can be dangerous. When equipment fails, the plant is waiting on you.
Your Responsibilities:
- Test and troubleshoot electrical equipment
- Repair motors, drives, and control panels
- Work with computer-controlled systems (PLCs)
- Read wiring diagrams
- Replace faulty parts
- Do preventive maintenance
- Follow electrical safety rules
- Keep repair records
You keep the electrical side of industry running.
A Day in the Life
6:00 AM — Shift starts at a processing plant.
6:30 AM — A motor drive has faulted. You use a meter and laptop to find the problem.
9:00 AM — Replace a bad circuit board. Test it.
11:00 AM — Preventive maintenance on control panels.
12:00 PM — Lunch.
1:00 PM — Update a PLC program with the controls team.
3:00 PM — Write up repairs.
Technical troubleshooting in an industrial setting.
Training in North Dakota
No specific license, but electrical licensing rules may apply to some work. Most repairers complete a 1–2 year electrical or electronics program.
Training Pathways:
- Associate degree (2 years): Industrial electrical, electronics, or instrumentation.
- Certificate (about 1 year): Electronics basics.
- Military: Electronics training transfers well.
Where to Train in North Dakota:
- ND State College of Science (Wahpeton) — Electrical Technology, Industrial Electrical option, AAS (73 credits)
- Bismarck State College (Bismarck) — Electronics Technology, 1-year certificate (on campus or online)
- Bismarck State College — Instrumentation and Control Technology, AAS or certificate (online or on campus)
Before You Start: High school diploma or GED. Strong math and interest in electronics. Good color vision helps.
Tip: Start with financial aid, scholarships, and any help an employer offers — that is where the money starts. After that, ask a career counselor or Job Service North Dakota whether WIOA or other programs can help with what is left over, like training, tools, work boots, or exam fees. What can be paid for depends on the program and on your own situation, so ask before you sign up rather than after. Registered apprenticeships let you earn a paycheck while you learn — see jobsnd.com/job-seeker/apprenticeships for ND programs.
Certification & Licensing
Check with the ND State Electrical Board. Some electrical work in ND requires an electrician license. Ask the board or your employer which rules apply to your job.
Certifications Employers Look For:
- Electronics certifications (for example, ETA International) — optional
- PLC and equipment maker training
- Electrical safety training
The Exams: Varies by certification.
Cost: Varies. Many employers pay for training.
Keeping It Current: Varies.
Salary & Job Outlook
North Dakota Electrical and Electronics Repairer (Commercial and Industrial Equipment) Pay (May 2025):
- Starting out (bottom 10–25%): $30.04–$38.02/hour ($62,480–$79,090/year)
- Middle (median — half earn more, half earn less): $47.45/hour ($98,700/year)
- Experienced (top 25–10%): $53.43–$64.35/hour ($111,130–$133,840/year)
What that means: ND pay is about one-third higher than the national median, one of the highest-paying trades on the list.
Jobs in North Dakota: About 430 people do this work in ND today. By 2034, that should be about 420 (about 2% fewer jobs). Expect about 30 job openings every year in ND from growth and people retiring or changing jobs. Across the U.S., the change is about 1% fewer jobs.
Outlook: Stable. The number of jobs is flat, but about 30 openings come up each year as workers retire.
Who Hires in ND: Manufacturers, processing plants, energy facilities, and power companies.
Work Setting: Plants and factories. Shift work and on-call are common.
Physical Demands: Moderate. Standing, climbing, working in tight spaces, and noisy plant environments.
Sources: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, North Dakota, May 2025 (SOC 49-2094); North Dakota and U.S. long-term employment projections 2024–2034, via O*NET OnLine. Numbers are rounded.
Where This Leads
Path 1: Instrumentation Technician — Specialize in sensors and controls.
Path 2: Automation Specialist — Work with PLCs and robotics.
Path 3: Maintenance Lead — Lead a team.
Path 4: Controls Engineer (with more school) — Design control systems.
Path 5: Electrician — Earn an ND license.
Path 6: Field Service Tech — Travel to customers.
The Real Talk
What's Great:
- Very high ND pay
- Technical, problem-solving work
- Short training
- Steady plant jobs
- Skills in demand
- Can move into automation
What's Hard:
- High-voltage safety risks
- Pressure when equipment fails
- Shift and on-call work
- Flat job growth
- Must keep learning technology
Be Honest: Do you like electronics and troubleshooting? Are you careful around high voltage? Are you OK with shift work?