Welder in North Dakota: Salary, License Requirements, and How to Start

Skilled trades

North Dakota employs 2,590 welders, with a statewide median of $62,000 and wide variation by city and experience. Here is the real wage data, the exact North Dakota licensing picture, and where to train.

What Welders Earn in North Dakota (May 2025)

North Dakota median pay: $62,000 (May 2025)
Starting range (10th percentile): $46,660
Experienced (75th percentile): $72,560
Top earners (90th percentile): $83,290
Employed in North Dakota: 2,590
U.S. median (for comparison): $49,990 (May 2024)

Wages vary substantially by metro. Median annual pay for welders in major North Dakota markets:

Minot: $62,060 (80 employed)
Bismarck: $62,000 (320 employed)
Fargo: $61,140 (690 employed)
Grand Forks: $58,200 (190 employed)

What That Pay Is Worth in North Dakota

Prices in North Dakota run about 11% below the national average (cost-of-living index 89.0 vs a U.S. baseline of 100, 2024), so the $62,000 median stretches to roughly $69,663 in national buying-power terms.

Job Outlook in North Dakota (2024–2034)

North Dakota is projected to grow welders employment +8.1%, faster than the +2.2% projected nationally. The state expects about 310 openings a year, counting both growth and workers who retire or move on.

North Dakota License and Certification Requirements

No state license; AWS Certified Welder / employer weld tests — regulated by the No license required — AWS certification is code/employer driven.

North Dakota does not license welders.
Train at a technical-college welding program or an apprenticeship.
Pass employer or AWS weld tests for the processes and codes you'll work (structural, pipe, etc.).

Official requirements: No license required — AWS certification is code/employer driven →

Training in North Dakota

Pipe and certified structural welders earn the most. North Dakota's oil/gas (Bakken), refining, and ag-equipment sectors drive strong demand; certs are per-process/per-code.

Real training providers and registered apprenticeships in North Dakota include:

Bismarck State College — Certificate / Associate
Dickinson State University — Certificate
Lynnes Welding Training — Certificate
North Dakota State College of Science — Certificate / Associate

Is This the Right Move for You?

Best for: People who like focused, precise, independent work and want to enter a trade without a multi-year apprenticeship commitment.

Think twice if: Heat, fumes, UV exposure, protective gear all day, and physically demanding positions sound like dealbreakers.

Why it's resilient: Custom, field, and structural welding requires hands-on skill, real-world access, and quality judgment that automated welding cannot fully replicate.

First Steps

Enroll in a welding certificate program at a community college or trade school — programs range from 6 months to 2 years.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much do welders make in North Dakota?

The median wage for welders in North Dakota is $62,000 per year (May 2025, BLS). Entry-level pay (10th percentile) starts around $46,660, and top earners (90th percentile) make about $83,290. Pay varies by metro and years of experience.

What license or certification do you need to become a Welder in North Dakota?

No state license; AWS Certified Welder / employer weld tests, overseen by the No license required — AWS certification is code/employer driven. North Dakota does not license welders.

Is being a Welder a good career in North Dakota?

Custom, field, and structural welding requires hands-on skill, real-world access, and quality judgment that automated welding cannot fully replicate.

Which North Dakota metros pay welders the most?

Among North Dakota metro areas, Minot leads at $62,060, followed by Bismarck ($62,000), Fargo ($61,140). Local pay tracks regional demand and cost of living, so the highest-paying metro isn't always the best net move.

Where can I train to become a Welder in North Dakota?

Real North Dakota options include Bismarck State College, Dickinson State University, Lynnes Welding Training. Most welders start with an accredited program, then earn the credential the state or employer requires.

Is Welder a growing career in North Dakota?

North Dakota projects welders employment to change +8.1% from 2024 to 2034, with about 310 openings a year — a growing field in the state.

Sources and Verification

Wage data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025), North Dakota statewide and metro estimates for SOC 51-4121. Licensing summary compiled from the No license required — AWS certification is code/employer driven (2026-06-11). Requirements change — always confirm current rules with the board and verify program costs and outcomes before enrolling.

BLS Occupational Outlook · O*NET North Dakota wages · North Dakota licensing/certification source

Employment projections: Projections Central / BLS Employment Projections (2024–2034); Cost of living: BEA Regional Price Parities.

Pay percentiles describe current workers, not entry-level offers; training costs and local demand vary, so verify locally before committing money or quitting a job.