How to Become a Construction Trades Worker in North Dakota (2026)
North Dakota employs about 5,050 construction trades workers earning a median $49,070 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Most construction trades workers train through a trade school program or a registered apprenticeship before entering the field in North Dakota.
Compare Construction Trades Worker Schools in North Dakota
| # | School | BOC Score (0–100) | Tuition | Median grad earnings (all majors) | Graduation rate | Online | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mitchell Technical College | 78.9 | Contact school for pricing | $54,865 | 74% | Yes* | 270 mi |
| 2 | Lake Area Technical College | 74.7 | Contact school for pricing | $49,488 | 69% | Yes* | 216 mi |
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| 3 | North Dakota State College of Science | 72.6 | Contact school for pricing | $60,587 | 52% | Yes* | 171 mi |
| 4 | Turtle Mountain Community College | 61.9 | $2,794 - $13,655 | Not reported | 49% | Yes* | 100 mi |
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| 5 | Central Lakes College-Brainerd | 60.4 | $6,249 - $19,543 | $50,357 | 51% | Yes* | 275 mi |
| 6 | Northwest Technical College | 55.7 | Contact school for pricing | $55,473 | 50% | Yes* | 233 mi |
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| 7 | Sitting Bull College | 53.9 | $4,010 - $10,012 | $39,240 | 23% | Yes* | 98 mi |
| 8 | United Tribes Technical College | 45.6 | $4,632 - $14,309 | $34,923 | 28% | Yes* | 61 mi |
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| 9 | Sisseton Wahpeton College | 26.5 | Contact school for pricing | Not reported | 16% | — | 178 mi |
| 10 | Nueta Hidatsa Sahnish College | 16.7 | Contact school for pricing | Not reported | 12% | — | 129 mi |
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Schools closest to the page's primary location are gathered first, then ranked by BOC Score; distance from the page's primary location is shown for reference. The BOC Score is an independent measure of school outcomes (graduation, earnings, net price, retention) expressed as a 0–100 percentile within each school's peer group; higher is better and advertising never affects it. *Online availability refers to coursework; hands-on trade training is completed in person. Read the full methodology.
North Dakota employs approximately 5,050 construction trades workers according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $49,070 1. The state’s concentration of construction trades worker jobs is 1.67x the national average, indicating strong demand. Nationally, construction trades worker employment is projected to grow 7.3% from 2024 to 2034, with about 129,400 openings per year 2. This page covers how to become a Construction Trades Worker in North Dakota, including requirements, training programs, and salary data.
At a Glance
- Training paths: trade school, community college, or apprenticeship
- Typical timeline: 1 to 5 years depending on the path
- Median wage (North Dakota): $49,070 per year 1
Quick Answers About How to Become a Construction Trades Worker in North Dakota
How to become a Construction Trades Worker in North Dakota? Complete a training program or apprenticeship, gain work experience, and meet any state or employer requirements for construction trades workers in North Dakota.
How long does it take? Most paths into the construction trades worker field take 1 to 5 years, depending on whether you complete a trade school program, a registered apprenticeship, or a combination of both.
What do construction trades workers earn in North Dakota? The median annual wage for construction trades workers in North Dakota is $49,070 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $38,990 and experienced professionals can earn $71,210 or more 1.
How to Become a Construction Trades Worker in North Dakota
- Finish high school or earn a GED. Most North Dakota training programs and registered apprenticeships require a high school diploma or GED to enroll.
- Complete a training program or apprenticeship. Enroll in an approved trade school program or a registered apprenticeship in North Dakota that combines classroom instruction with supervised hands-on hours.
- Gain supervised work experience. Build documented on-the-job hours under a qualified supervisor; confirm the exact total currently required with the licensing board.
- Meet state and employer requirements. Confirm any registration, certification, or employer requirements that apply to construction trades workers in North Dakota before you start working.
Steps and hour totals vary by credential level; confirm current requirements with the state board before you apply.
Construction Trades Worker Apprenticeship Information in North Dakota
Apprenticeships combine paid on-the-job training with classroom instruction and typically last 3 to 5 years. North Dakota’s apprenticeship program is administered by the North Dakota Workforce Development - Apprenticeship 3.
Contact Information:
- Office: Bismarck Field Office
- Address: 304 E. Broadway, Bismarck, ND 58501-5900
- Phone: (701) 250-4700
- Email: [email protected]
Construction Trades Worker Wages by Metro Area in North Dakota
Construction Laborers Wages by Metro Area in North Dakota
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics ( OES data), construction laborers wages in North Dakota vary by metro area.
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage | Avg. Annual Wage | Entry Level (10th pctile) | Experienced (90th pctile) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fargo | 1,760 | $49,340 | $55,680 | $44,020 | $77,350 |
| Bismarck | 620 | $49,770 | $53,560 | $38,950 | $73,010 |
| Grand Forks | 510 | $49,070 | $52,940 | $41,120 | $66,140 |
| Minot | 340 | $49,180 | $52,720 | $37,210 | $67,010 |
Wages reflect survey data and vary based on experience, credentials, employer, and local market conditions. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May .
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the job outlook for construction trades workers in North Dakota? North Dakota currently employs approximately 5,050 construction trades workers 1. Nationally, construction trades worker employment is projected to grow 7.3% from 2024 to 2034 2.
What training programs are available in North Dakota? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and apprenticeship programs. Use the school finder above to search for programs in North Dakota. You can also contact the North Dakota Workforce Development - Apprenticeship for apprenticeship opportunities.
How much do construction trades workers earn in North Dakota compared to the national average? The median annual wage for construction trades workers in North Dakota is $49,070, which is $2,340 above the national median of $46,730 according to BLS data 1.
Related guides
In North Dakota
Top local programs
- Best Construction Trades Schools in Bismarck, North Dakota (2026)
- Best Construction Trades Schools in Dickinson, North Dakota (2026)
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- Best Construction Trades Schools in Grand Forks, North Dakota (2026)
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- Best Construction Trades Schools in Mandan, North Dakota (2026)
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- Best Construction Trades Schools in Williston, North Dakota (2026)
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Citations
About this guide: Researched and written by the TradeCareerPath Editorial Team. Our editorial team researches and sources every trade school and career guide using federal labor and education data, including BLS OEWS and Employment Projections, DOL apprenticeship records, IPEDS, College Scorecard, and state licensing boards. We follow the editorial standards documented at /editorial-policy/.
References
Bureau of Labor Statistics - Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics: https://www.bls.gov/oes/ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
Bureau of Labor Statistics - Employment Projections: https://www.bls.gov/emp/ ↩︎ ↩︎
North Dakota Workforce Development - Apprenticeship: https://www.apprenticeship.gov/ ↩︎
Data sources
Figures on this page are sourced from the federal and state datasets below. Methodology: how we rank and source data.
| Data | Provider | Vintage |
|---|---|---|
| Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics | May 2025 |
| Employment Projections | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics | 2024-2034 |
| Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System | National Center for Education Statistics (IPEDS) | 2024 |
| College Scorecard (school-level outcomes) | U.S. Department of Education | latest release |
| College Scorecard (field-of-study earnings) | U.S. Department of Education | latest release (updated 2026-06-12) |
| Occupational licensing requirements | CareerOneStop (U.S. Department of Labor) | latest release (updated 2026-02-22) |
| Registered apprenticeship programs | CareerOneStop / Apprenticeship.gov (U.S. Department of Labor) | latest release (updated 2025-10-25) |
| O*NET occupation profiles (skills, tasks, tools, job zones) | U.S. Department of Labor (O*NET / Employment & Training Admin.) | O*NET 29.1 (updated 2026-06-13) |