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If you plan on working in the trucking field, you should know there are some requirements you need to meet first.
By enrolling in a training school, you can be sure you will have the needed qualification to start your career.
Read on for more info on this and how to find the best school in North Dakota
Article Table of Contents
North Dakota Training Schools
North Dakota doesn’t have a shortage of truck driving or diesel mechanic schools.
| School Name | Address |
|---|---|
| Bismarck State College | 1500 Edwards Ave Bismarck, ND 58506 |
| Cankdeska Cikana Community College | 214 First Avenue PO Box 269 Fort Totten, ND 58335 |
| Commercial Education And Safety (CES) | 1674 15th St W, Dickinson, ND 58601 |
| Lake Region State College - Devils Lake | Bergstrom Technical Education Center 1801 College Drive N. Devils Lake, ND 58301 |
| Lake Region State College - Grand Forks | Grand Forks Job Service 1501 28th Avenue South, Grand Forks, ND 58201 |
| North Valley Career & Technology Center | 1540 School Rd, Grafton, ND 58237 |
| Sitting Bull College | 9299 Hwy 24 Fort Yates, ND 58538 |
| Skills and Technology Training Center | 1305 19th Ave N, Fargo, ND 58102 |
| TrainND | Petroleum Safety and Technology Center 421 22nd Ave NE Williston, ND 58801 |
| Turtle Mountain Community College | 10145 Bia Road 7 PO Box 340 Belcourt, ND 58316 |
| United Tribes Technical College - Demand | 3315 University Drive Bismarck, ND 58504 |
| Williston State College | 1410 University Ave, Williston, ND 58801 |
Out of these, some offer scholarships which make things easier if you need your tuition covered.
For example, if you are interested in a diesel technology program, check out Williston State College.
The school provides tool scholarships, which cover the costs of the tools you will be using during your program.
Williston State College is located in the northwestern part of the state.
Choosing the Best School
Deciding which school to train depends on how much time you can invest in your training, as well as other factors.
If you want to become a truck driver, you will be getting a Class A license.
These licenses are given following an exam.
Before the exam, you will enroll in a program that lasts up to 8 weeks.
The programs include lab and driving hours, but also classroom education.
You may want to consider attending a small-sized class, is it provides you more time with your instructor and perhaps increased driving hours.
The classes usually take place from Monday to Friday, and you can choose the hours that fit you best.
For instance, Don’s Driving School provides evening classes for students who are busy during the day.
These classes take place between 5 pm and 10 pm.
While trucking programs are quite short, a diesel technology course can last up to 2 years.
However, such a program will also award you an associate’s degree, which can help you get a better job and earn more.
Williston State College offers diesel technology courses with a duration between one and 2 years.
Getting Hired as a Trucker
When you come to career opportunities, you should know that North Dakota has plenty of options.
After completing your course, you can apply to get hired in a trucking company or repair shop.
Some schools give you the option to work for the same company once you completed your training.
The important companies in North Dakota include TMC Transportation, Maizis and Miller, and Bay & Bay Transportation.
Given the many career options available it’s nearly impossible to estimate how much you’ll earn.
However, to give you a general idea, truck drivers from North Dakota make on average $41,605 per year.
The more experienced and skilled drivers can have earnings of around $48,211 a year.
Annual Salary Range:| Location | Avg. Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Fargo | $41,570 |
| Bismarck | $41,300 |
| Grand Forks | $38,699 |
| Minot | $40,635 |
| West Fargo | $41,570 |
| Williston | $40,635 |
| Dickinson | $40,635 |
| Mandan | $41,300 |
| Jamestown | $40,770 |
| Wahpeton | $40,905 |
Regional Salary in North Dakota
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bismarck, ND | 1,110 | $57,240 | $27.52 | $77,440 | $39,730 |
| Fargo, ND-MN | 3,410 | $56,880 | $27.35 | $76,040 | $37,960 |
| Grand Forks, ND-MN | 950 | $57,360 | $27.58 | $75,350 | $42,250 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
According to O*Net, truck driving jobs will see a growth of 67% in the 10 year period between 2012 and 2022.
Diesel mechanics will also experience a 34% growth, as reported by the same site.
Conclusion
As you can notice, the trucking industry in North Dakota will grow significantly over the next years.
This gives you the chance to build a solid career on the road and enjoy many new opportunities.
Read the full guide: How to Become a Truck Driver
CDL Schools by State