North Dakota Oil Boom Vol: Present day Gold Rush

what's up NT. I know some of us are having problems with jobs. Whether it be finding one or not being happy with the pay or the job in general. I've just been informed of the North Dakota Oil boom and the riches that come along with it.

One of the major problems however, is that there's not enough places for new workers to stay as the boom grew faster than people expected.

I myself am considering going out there for work. With an unemployment rate below 1% it won't be hard to do. What I'm most worried about is having a place to stay. Any NTers in North Dakota or with family in North Dakota to give me some insight?



There's horror stories as well as glory ones. I'm looking more into it. It would be a temporary thing for a max of a couple years. Cash out and come back.

i think there is an NTer out there...cuban something or other, if i recall posting in the NT job thread...

I worked for Dish Network as an area coordinator about 5 years ago. I would constantly talk to the technicians out there because they would literally travel 50-60 miles from one job to another.
Those guys were pissed that Taco Bell workers out there were making $25+ an hour, and they were making slightly more but dealing with the climate.

It's real out there. If you have no family and don't mind sleeping in your car, you could easily go out there for 2-3 years and buy yourself a new house and car all paid for with a lil extra scratch on the side.

On a side note....since the oil boom, strip clubs and bars have flourished

Yeah dude from NT is out there

Hes from miami but goes to north dakota for work real nice guy.

Patrick Bateman said:

Will watch the video later tonight but how much are they paying and whats the safety like in such industry??

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i think that jobs are paying upwards of $100k (don't quote me), but the work is HARD as ****...heard people work 2 weeks on, 2 weeks off, with 12 hour shifts

My dad's friend hauls water up there and makes 80k a year.

Will post later when I get some time. Been out here a little over 2 years on and off so I'll post my experience and some advice for those interested

cubanref said:

Will post later when I get some time. Been out here a little over 2 years on and off so I'll post my experience and some advice for those interested

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[COLOR=#red]Will be looking forward to that [/COLOR]

Interesting, would I need a college diploma or previous exp?

currensy said:

Interesting, would I need a college diploma or previous exp?

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I've been reading you do need experience, but I'm pretty sure you can get in somehow. I think the easiest as far as requirements would be truckers.

NazDrowie said:

Patrick Bateman said:

Will watch the video later tonight but how much are they paying and whats the safety like in such industry??

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i think that jobs are paying upwards of $100k (don't quote me), but the work is HARD as ****...heard people work 2 weeks on, 2 weeks off, with 12 hour shifts

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yea, the average salary is something like 109k a year.

Interesting.

If you have no experience at all in the field don't waste your time. You will be homeless like those who even have jobs are. I've read more horror stories than positive from the area.

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currensy said:

Interesting, would I need a college diploma or previous exp?

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not for the Taco Bell job.

It's pretty arduous out there, but the money's good. Last I heard, dudes were living in trailers and sometimes tents, making 80k in the oil biz. Then send back thousands back home to their families. There's big time prostitution out there, too, since it's all men working like 14 hour days.

SuperAntigen said:

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He thought it was still funny

You gotta be built for manual labor bros and it's dangerous. Most nt'ers don't seem like trade dudes but not discouraging anyone.

Plus 100k isn't that much for that work... You gotta be in it for more than the money. You gotta be the type to be proud of what you do.

MPLSdunk said:

You gotta be built for manual labor bros and it's dangerous. Most nt'ers don't seem like trade dudes but not discouraging anyone.

Plus 100k isn't that much for that work... You gotta be in it for more than the money. You gotta be the type to be proud of what you do.

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I'm not afraid of hard work. I grew up helping my old man on side jobs as a painter. I know it's vigorous, but it's what gives me pleasure as a career. I enjoy working with my hands and I intend to work in the trades regardless.

Nice. Nah I wasn't really directing that at you. Just all the inevitable " I'm moving to nordak tomorrow" replies.

zapatohead408 said:

I'm not afraid of hard work. I grew up helping my old man on side jobs as a painter. I know it's vigorous, but it's what gives me pleasure as a career. I enjoy working with my hands and I intend to work in the trades regardless.

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how old are you?

ive done plenty of hard work...............its gets played out as you get older

btw thats is VERY diff from being a painter lol, just sayin...............a lil tad bit more intensive

MPLSdunk said:

Nice. Nah I wasn't really directing that at you. Just all the inevitable " I'm moving to nordak tomorrow" replies.

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I feel it, just thought I would give my response.

Al Audi said:

zapatohead408 said:

I'm not afraid of hard work. I grew up helping my old man on side jobs as a painter. I know it's vigorous, but it's what gives me pleasure as a career. I enjoy working with my hands and I intend to work in the trades regardless.

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how old are you?

ive done plenty of hard work...............its gets played out as you get older

btw thats is VERY diff from being a painter lol, just sayin...............a lil tad bit more intensive

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18

I know it get's worse as you get older. That's no doubt. Every winter for the past 3 years or so I see my dad's back give out as a result of the many years of hard work. He himself tells me to do something else because of this. Like he said, he was young and it was no problem. Now that he's 49, not so much.

and it's a lot more intensive. Especially being out there in the cold weather.

hoping those NTers with more info check in soon.

"If you ask me if I have a cigarette and I tell you I don't have a cigarette what does that mean?"

Im sorry b but being a painter is easy as hell compared to mining oil

I painted our house 3 times cuz my momma kept changing her mind on. The color and it was the easiest thing ever

Ok so I've been in North Dakota for about 2 and a half years now and its not for everybody. Oddly enough I found out about the boom from a thread just like this. There was a cnbc video about the boom going on, showed my dad the video and he said he wanted to check it out. Bought him a plane ticket a week later, got off the plane, walked 200 yards from the airport and got a job paying $22/hr doing construction work to start out. Its not this easy anymore ....now you have to put in some work and go looking for jobs.

If you are going to be working on an oil rig, a gas plant, or pipeline labor you don't need any kind of degree or any real experience for entry level jobs. You just need to go out and put in as many applications as possible and be willing to work. Its a lot easier getting job with no experience if a company sees you in person. Some advice if anyone does come out here, save up about 3-4k, get a decent car, get yourself a pre-paid phone from wal-mart with a 701 area code. Housing is hard to come by in some areas and expensive. Not all jobs provide housing so you might have to sleep in your car temporally. Its not a big deal out here...thats how many people start out. Most people that come here go and work anywhere just to start to make connections and network. Right now you need to make connections since most people out here have at least a year of experience, so companies are being more picky in some areas. But it does not mean you will not get hired if you have no experience. Companies want people that are willing to work hard and learn especially since entry level jobs are just labor. Most entry level jobs start between $60-80k a year

The hardest and most dangerous job is working on an oil rig but they do start you out at $27/hr plus a bunch of bonuses.The entry level position is called a floorhand. This is where they teach you the basics of an oil rig. They teach you the ins and outs of every inch of the rig. Its hard and dangerous labor and shifts are 12hrs long...but you only work for half the year, either 1 week on 1 week off or 2 and 2 and make about 80-100k a year depending on your safety bonuses. After a year or so you can become a derrickhand, then a driller, a tool pusher, and eventually a company man. Within 5 years you could be making about 300k+ as a company man. Unless you are a tool pusher or company man you will be working in all conditions...don't matter if its raining, snowing or -70 with the wind chill they do not stop for anything unless they are shut down due to an accident. This is the most sought after job out here because of the opportunity to make a ton of money with no experience. I wouldn't work on a rig...worked for a rig moving company and seeing what those guys do is something else. You really have to be a little bit crazy to work on an oil rig. It is also a very dangerous job...so many moving parts, you always have to be on your toes and make sure you are aware of everything and everyone that you are working with.


The cities with the most work are Williston, Minot, Dickinson, New Town and Wadford City. Check jobs out at jobsnd.com, indeed.com, roadtechs.com.
There are tons of construction jobs starting up right now, as well as road work companies looking for seasonal employees that pay well.
If you can, get your CDL permit. Even if you don't have the actual license they give you an average bump of $2-$4 in pay just because you have it.
Lots of truck driving jobs but stay away from small companies...some are shady and promise great pay only to cheat people out of money.

If you know a trade like welding you can make bank...about 40-50 an hour and if you have your own machine and equipment you're making 100+ an hour working as a pipeline welder
For those looking to got to welding school for free, look up Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College. They have a free welding program and job placement once you complete the program. They put you to work at the shipyard out there. Its not pipeline, but structural welding so the pay is about $20-$25 to start. Still its a great option for those looking to learn a trade for free. Only downside is that there is a wait list and you have to keep calling and checking up with them. Also best to go in person and sign up instead of going through the website.

Licensed electricians are also in high demand and make good money out here. Helpers start out between 20-24 an hour with little to no experience.


You will not be homeless if you have a plan coming out here...yes you might have to sleep in your car or God forbid sleep in a trailer ...oh nobody is sleeping in tents out here

This place isn't for everyone. It can get really depressing really fast if you think its going to be a cake walk out here. Just like anything you want in life, you have to be prepared to make sacrifices and work hard to get what you want. Doesn't matter if you plan on going to school to become a doctor or to come out here and work in the oil fields...