North Dakota Career & Training Directory
Explore 218 careers with North Dakota-specific salary data, licensing requirements, and 15 accredited schools.
Top Careers in North Dakota
North Dakota's Energy Boom and Agriculture Sustain Some of America's Highest Trade Wages
North Dakota's Bakken oil formation made the state one of the top oil producers in the United States, and the energy sector continues to drive above-average wages for petroleum workers, pipefitters, and heavy equipment operators. Agriculture — wheat, sunflowers, canola, and corn — is the other economic pillar, with precision farming technology increasingly important. The state's tiny population and booming economy have historically produced some of the lowest unemployment rates in the country, pushing wages 8–12% above national medians in many trades. Wind energy development is also accelerating.
Petroleum Engineer
- Median Salary
- $142,800/yr
- Job Growth
- +2.1% (2022–2032)
- Training Time
- 4-year bachelor's degree
Registered Nurse
- Median Salary
- $68,400/yr
- Job Growth
- +6.1% (2022–2032)
- Training Time
- 2–4 years (ADN or BSN)
Pipefitter
- Median Salary
- $74,200/yr
- Job Growth
- +4.4% (2022–2032)
- Training Time
- 4–5 years (apprenticeship)
Wind Turbine Technician
- Median Salary
- $62,800/yr
- Job Growth
- +44.3% (2022–2032)
- Training Time
- 2-year associate degree
Agricultural Equipment Technician
- Median Salary
- $52,800/yr
- Job Growth
- +5.2% (2022–2032)
- Training Time
- 2-year associate degree
Electrician
- Median Salary
- $69,800/yr
- Job Growth
- +9.6% (2022–2032)
- Training Time
- 4–5 years (apprenticeship)
Salary figures based on BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2024/2025. Growth projections from BLS Employment Projections 2022–2032. State figures reflect North Dakota-specific wage data; individual employer pay varies.
Airline Pilot (Career Track) / Flight Student
DevOps Engineer / Site Reliability Engineer
Cybersecurity Analyst
Cloud Technician / Cloud Engineer
Construction Manager / Superintendent
Database Administrator (DBA)
Schools in North Dakota
Bismarck State College
North Dakota's capital city college with extensive career programs. In-Demand Careers Scholarship offers free tuition fo...
North Dakota State College of Science
Southeast ND technical college founded in 1903. 80+ academic options with Fargo satellite location. Automotive, diesel, ...
Lake Region State College
North-central North Dakota community college serving the Devils Lake area. Tribal college partnerships with nearby Nativ...
Dakota College at Bottineau
Small north-central ND community college near the Canadian border. Unique natural resources programs. Residential campus...
About North Dakota's Job Market
North Dakota's economy supports a strong demand for trained vocational professionals across healthcare, construction, technology, and transportation. The state's growing population drives steady openings for allied health workers, skilled tradespeople, and tech professionals.