How to Become a Pipefitter in North Dakota (2026)

Updated September 2, 2026 | TradeCareerPath Editorial Team

North Dakota employs about 1,620 pipefitters earning a median $63,560 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Most pipefitters train through a trade school program or a registered apprenticeship before entering the field in North Dakota.

Compare Pipefitter Schools in North Dakota

BOC Score, tuition, graduation rate, and median graduate earnings from federal IPEDS and U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard data. Earnings are reported across all programs at the school (all majors), not a single trade. Distance is measured from the page's primary location.
#SchoolBOC Score (0–100)TuitionMedian grad earnings (all majors)Graduation rateOnlineDistance
172.6Contact school for pricing$60,58752%Yes*171 mi
269.7$7,650 - $20,272$53,28956%Yes*302 mi
368.7Contact school for pricing$49,85948%Yes*275 mi
464.5$5,908 - $17,194$54,58147%Yes*192 mi
563.7Contact school for pricing$58,69144%Yes*297 mi
663.6Contact school for pricing$54,67152%Yes*177 mi
761.9$2,794 - $13,655Not reported49%Yes*100 mi
860.4$8,294 - $18,845$49,93054%Yes*280 mi
958.5$6,491 - $17,408$52,39049%Yes*271 mi
1055.7Contact school for pricing$55,47350%Yes*233 mi

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 1,620 pipefitters according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $63,560 1. The state’s concentration of pipefitter jobs is 1.26x the national average, indicating strong demand. Nationally, pipefitter employment is projected to grow 4.5% from 2024 to 2034, with about 44,000 openings per year 2. This page covers how to become a Pipefitter 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): $63,560 per year 1

Quick Answers About How to Become a Pipefitter in North Dakota

How to become a Pipefitter in North Dakota? Complete a training program or apprenticeship, gain work experience, and meet any state or employer requirements for pipefitters in North Dakota.

How long does it take? Most paths into the pipefitter 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 pipefitters earn in North Dakota? The median annual wage for pipefitters in North Dakota is $63,560 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $45,520 and experienced professionals can earn $83,560 or more 1.

How to Become a Pipefitter in North Dakota

  1. Finish high school or earn a GED. Most North Dakota training programs and registered apprenticeships require a high school diploma or GED to enroll.
  2. 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.
  3. Gain supervised work experience. Build documented on-the-job hours under a qualified supervisor as part of a registered apprenticeship or employer program in North Dakota.
  4. Earn your journey card or employer qualification. Complete the registered apprenticeship or approved program, earn the journey card or employer qualification used in North Dakota, and confirm contractor versus worker rules with the state before working unsupervised.

Steps and hour totals vary by credential level; confirm current requirements with the state board before you apply.

Pipefitter 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]

Pipefitter Wages by Metro Area in North Dakota

Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters Wages by Metro Area in North Dakota

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics ( OES data), plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters wages in North Dakota vary by metro area.

Metro AreaEmploymentMedian Annual WageAvg. Annual WageEntry Level
(10th pctile)		Experienced
(90th pctile)
Fargo670$63,350$65,900$45,460$82,830
Grand Forks240$62,940$65,090$45,850$83,820
Bismarck220$70,310$70,030$46,830$94,940
Minot150$62,400$65,250$46,030$82,380

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 pipefitters in North Dakota? North Dakota currently employs approximately 1,620 pipefitters 1. Nationally, pipefitter employment is projected to grow 4.5% 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 pipefitters earn in North Dakota compared to the national average? The median annual wage for pipefitters in North Dakota is $63,560, which is $590 above the national median of $62,970 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/ ↩︎ ↩︎

  3. 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.

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)