North Dakota welding schools provide the education you need to become licensed and certified for this type of work. In this guide, we review the details of this career path and explore opportunities for state residents who want to become welders.
What Does a Welder Do?
Welding involves using heat equipment to securely connect metal components. Industries that need machinery, vehicles, tools, structures, and other metal items all need welders, so opportunities in this field are expected to grow over the coming decade. In this role, you’ll also read and analyze blueprints, perform complex calculations and take care of the tools you need to do your work.
Welding careers in North Dakota span the spectrum of industries. North Dakota welders work in both indoor and outdoor settings, so you may need to contend with the state’s cold climate to complete some projects. The state also has one of the highest concentrations of welding jobs per capita according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with nearly seven welders among every 1,000 residents.
Welding Schools Near Me in North Dakota
North Dakota is one of the few states requiring welders to have both a state license and industry certification. You must pass an exam given by the American Welding Society to become certified. These North Dakota welding schools can help you prepare for this test so you can take the next steps in this career.
Bismarck State College
- Location: Bismarck
- Phone number: 701-224-2672
- Programs available: Welding certificate
- Program duration: One year
- Average cost: $6,475 for a North Dakota resident
- Practice a full spectrum of techniques in the school’s state-of-the-art welding lab
North Dakota State College of Science
- Location: Fargo
- Phone number: 701-231-6935
- Programs available: Certificate and Associate of Applied Science degree in Welding Technology
- Program duration: One year for a certificate, two years for AAS
- Average cost: $4,800 for a certificate, $9,600 for an AAS
- Accredited as a SENSE facility by the AWS, offering both Level I and Level II certifications
Lynnes Welding Training
- Location: Fargo, Bismarck
- Phone number: 701-373-0658
- Programs available: Combination Welder I Program, Combination Welder II Program, Gas Metal Arc Welding Skills, Gas Tungsten Arc Welding Skills, Shield Metal Arc Welding Skills, Pipe Training
- Program duration: Three to five weeks for skills courses, three months for Welder I, four months for Welder II
- Average cost: Starting at $1,500 for a one-week course up to $18,000 for a 16-week Welder II course
- Practical learning with hands-on experience throughout the program
Welding Career Opportunities in North Dakota
Many of the welders in North Dakota work in the state’s thriving energy and natural resources industries. Mining, extraction, quarrying and related sectors all represent a large point of the state’s gross domestic product. Agriculture, perpetually one of North Dakota’s largest industries, also has a significant need for welders who can maintain and repair farming and food production systems and equipment.
How Much Do Welders Make in North Dakota?
As a welder in North Dakota, you’ll earn well above the national average of about $46,000 for this profession. In fact, it’s among the top states for welder pay, with a mean annual salary of more than $57,000 according to data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Major Employers of Welders in North Dakota
These are the top companies employing welders in North Dakota according to data from Indeed:
- Union Pacific, one of America’s largest rail and transport companies
- Bechtel, an international engineering and construction company
- Toyota, the global automobile manufacturer
- Turner Industries, a heavy industry construction and fabrication company
- ZachRy Construction Company, involved in contracting and industrial maintenance services
- Polar Services Centers, a transportation and logistics firm
- Northrop Grumman, an aerospace and defense company
- Tanco Engineering Inc., a tank repair and construction firm
How To Become a Certified Welder in North Dakota
To obtain welder certification, you must pass the exam given by the American Welding Society. The schools referenced above can provide guidance about how to become a welder in North Dakota as you embark on the process of preparing for the test.
Do You Need a License to be a Welder in North Dakota?
North Dakota requires a contractor license if you will complete welding projects worth more than $4,000. You can apply for this license through the Secretary of State’s office. You must pay a fee that varies depending on the type of work that you do and the amounts of your contracts.
North Dakota Welding FAQs
1. How Long Does It Take to Become a Welder?
You will need about a year to become a welder in North Dakota. In most cases, 12 months is enough time to prepare for and pass the AWS exam. However, if you decide to pursue an associate’s degree rather than a diploma or certificate, it will likely take two years.
2. Does a Welder Need Insurance in North Dakota?
Some welders may need insurance in North Dakota, depending on the monetary value of their contracts and where exactly they work. Even if you do not have to legally purchase insurance, having a commercial liability policy can protect you from a lawsuit or accident involving your business.
You can easily request a free commercial insurance quote from our partners using the tool below.
3. Who Can I Contact If I Have Questions?
The North Dakota Secretary of State’s office can provide more information about contractor licensing. You can reach out to a representative at 800-352-0867.
For More License and Career Guides
To find out how to become a Welder in another state, start here.
For information on other trades in North Dakota, click on a link below to learn more about the licensing requirements:
Call Us