How to Become a Marine Technician in North Dakota (2026)

Updated September 2, 2026 | TradeCareerPath Editorial Team

North Dakota employs about 70 marine technicians earning a median $60,990 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Training as a Marine Technician here means completing a postsecondary automotive, diesel, motorcycle, marine, or collision program plus ASE or OEM credentials. This is not a default RAPIDS apprenticeship.

North Dakota employs approximately 70 marine technicians according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $60,990 1. Nationally, marine technician employment is projected to grow 6.0% from 2024 to 2034, with about 2,600 openings per year 2. This page covers how to become a Marine Technician in North Dakota, including licensing requirements, training programs, and salary data.

At a Glance

  • Training paths: trade-school or community-college program in the specialty (find programs)
  • Typical timeline: a postsecondary automotive, diesel, motorcycle, marine, or collision program plus ASE or OEM credentials. This is not a default RAPIDS apprenticeship
  • Exam: ASE or OEM certification
  • Median wage (North Dakota): $60,990 per year 1

Quick Answers About How to Become a Marine Technician in North Dakota

How to become a Marine Technician in North Dakota? Complete a postsecondary automotive, diesel, motorcycle, marine, or collision program plus ASE or OEM credentials. This is not a default RAPIDS apprenticeship. Confirm credential rules with the program and employer.

How long does it take? Most people finish a postsecondary automotive, diesel, motorcycle, marine, or collision program plus ASE or OEM credentials. This is not a default RAPIDS apprenticeship. Confirm current hour totals with the program and employer.

Do I need a license in North Dakota? Most states do not require a statewide occupational license. Employers typically expect ASE or OEM certification. See the licensing section below.

What do marine technicians earn in North Dakota? The median annual wage for marine technicians in North Dakota is $60,990 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $46,500 and experienced professionals can earn $74,490 or more 1.

How to Become a Marine Technician in North Dakota

  1. Meet program entry rules. Programs typically require a high school diploma or GED.
  2. Complete a specialty program. Finish an automotive, diesel, motorcycle, marine, or collision program. Some union shops use apprenticeships; the default national path is a certificate plus ASE, not DAS as the only option.
  3. Earn ASE or OEM credentials. Pass ASE tests or OEM training the employer requires. Some states add a separate smog or emissions credential; it is not the whole mechanic license.

Steps and hour totals vary by credential level; confirm current requirements with the program and employer before you enroll.

Marine Technician License Requirements in North Dakota

Most states do not license auto, diesel, motorcycle, marine, or collision techs as a statewide journeyman card. Employers expect ASE or OEM credentials. Some states add a smog or emissions credential.

Typical path

  1. Complete a specialty program.

  2. Earn ASE or OEM credentials.

  3. Add a state smog or emissions credential only if that state and the job require one.

Hour totals, fees, and reciprocity rules change. Confirm current requirements with the employer before you enroll.

Marine Technician Wages by Metro Area in North Dakota

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the job outlook for marine technicians in North Dakota? North Dakota currently employs approximately 70 marine technicians 1. Nationally, marine technician employment is projected to grow 6.0% from 2024 to 2034 2.

What training programs are available in North Dakota? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and state-approved training programs. Use the school finder above to search for programs in North Dakota.

How much do marine technicians earn in North Dakota compared to the national average? The median annual wage for marine technicians in North Dakota is $60,990, which is $6,040 above the national median of $54,950 according to BLS data 1.

In North Dakota

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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

  1. Bureau of Labor Statistics - Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics: https://www.bls.gov/oes/ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎

  2. Bureau of Labor Statistics - Employment Projections: https://www.bls.gov/emp/ ↩︎ ↩︎

Data sources

Figures on this page are sourced from the federal and state datasets below. Methodology: how we rank and source data.

DataProviderVintage
Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)U.S. Bureau of Labor StatisticsMay 2025
Employment ProjectionsU.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics2024-2034
Integrated Postsecondary Education Data SystemNational Center for Education Statistics (IPEDS)2024
College Scorecard (school-level outcomes)U.S. Department of Educationlatest release
College Scorecard (field-of-study earnings)U.S. Department of Educationlatest release (updated 2026-06-12)
Occupational licensing requirementsCareerOneStop (U.S. Department of Labor)latest release (updated 2026-02-22)
Registered apprenticeship programsCareerOneStop / 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)