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I'm from ND, but the opposite side of the state in Fargo.
North Dakota Oil Boom Vol: Present day Gold Rush
- Thread in 'General' Thread starter Started by zapatohead408,
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Aren't the pay increases all relative to the cost of living out there? It seems like you'd be living in a town full of snakes. Everyone knows everyone else is ranking in the money. $10 Big macs. Apartments in the $3/yr range. Is there any reality of that happening like the news pieces show? Or do most live day to day and either save up or send money away? I'm guessing some may splurge?
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This is not true at all...everyone has to start somewhere. Every job I've gotten out here I had no prior experience at all. I had no idea what kind of work I would be doing when I started working pipeline or as a swamper for a rig moving company. You don't work alone...you work in crews and they teach you and show what to do.
This a multi billion dollar industry...no reputable company is going to put an entry level employee in a position where he or she can damage expensive equipment, or get someone hurt. These labor jobs aren't rocket science...its just things you learn over time with repetition
bhergh
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Waitwut...strip clubs do dey even got awgs?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
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^No awgs out here 
at least not the ones from ND...the awgs come from other states with a BF or husband.
I haven't been to the strip clubs out here but I remember they were posting ads and flying girls in from NYC, Miami, Vegas...etc to work out here on rotation. I'm remember seeing a report that they were making about 2-4k a night. Something like 350k a year :x
at least not the ones from ND...the awgs come from other states with a BF or husband. I haven't been to the strip clubs out here but I remember they were posting ads and flying girls in from NYC, Miami, Vegas...etc to work out here on rotation. I'm remember seeing a report that they were making about 2-4k a night. Something like 350k a year :x
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Me and my uncles are pipe welders we might buy and RV and go up there for like 6 months and stack paper
mr marcus
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If I didn't have a kid I'd give it a shot for a year or 2
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Cuban you got seriously considering heading out there for a year or two to stack up?
Are there a lot of minorities out there? Is it easy for them to find jobs and intergrate in the community?
Are there a lot of minorities out there? Is it easy for them to find jobs and intergrate in the community?
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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 chillthey 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.
A little different from youngin who thought it was like painting... thanks for the great post btw.
Curious, I know nothing about the daily work on a rig, what exactly is dangerous about it? Extreme temps? Danger of losing fingers/hands?
Top Boy
formerly jay patt
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If only I wasn't in college
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Everyone thinks you can just fly to ND and make 100K a year, it aint happening. Even the dude whos been out there for 2 years or so doesnt sound like hes raking that in yet. When you take into consideration all the other factors that 100K (and that is being really generous) isnt really that appealing imo. And I've yet to see published data that these 80-100K salaries are the norm. Average starting salaries are closer to 60-70 for the fields, from what I've seen... and you arent working no damn 40 -50 hrs either.
If I were younger, no commitments, with some type of expericence, closer to 2007 when the boom started, itd be a no brainer.
If I were younger, no commitments, with some type of expericence, closer to 2007 when the boom started, itd be a no brainer.
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You probably would make good money flipping the rv to someone there on your way out.
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i seriously considered going out there after i got my AA and certified as a welder. heard they were starting welders out at 50/hour, even more if you had all certs in all positions too
but i decided to finish to my BA now as opposed to later. sometimes i regret not going
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I'm currently attempting to join the electrician apprenticeship program here in California. Gonna see how it works in North Dakota. If I'm licensed over there I wonder if I can come back and be licensed in Cali.
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Depends on the state. For example here in mn they are real strict so you need a license and our license would work in most the surrounding states. Obviously the pay is higher up north or California than somewhere like new Orleans where they hire anyone. Just get in touch with the unions out there I'd say call the halls up. If you just want work mpls has work for years coming up once you're a journeyman check it out.
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I have a few friends who are out there.
I'm from Wyoming and some commute the 15 hour drive/the two week on two week off guys.
It's nothing to mess with, 14-16 hour days for 14 straight days takes so much out of you.
Other guys have worked those same 14/15 hour days, but have worked about 170+ days straight.
Pay is anywhere from 55k-350k depending on your company, line of work, and how skilled you are in both labor and management.
The safe route is hustling and starting a business to business that supplies the fields with water, food, materials.
I'm from Wyoming and some commute the 15 hour drive/the two week on two week off guys.
It's nothing to mess with, 14-16 hour days for 14 straight days takes so much out of you.
Other guys have worked those same 14/15 hour days, but have worked about 170+ days straight.
Pay is anywhere from 55k-350k depending on your company, line of work, and how skilled you are in both labor and management.
The safe route is hustling and starting a business to business that supplies the fields with water, food, materials.
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Been thinking about franchising something out there in a few years for food.
Yeah that oil made plane tickets in and out of there so damn expensive. Like 800-1000 to Minneapolis. ****
Yeah that oil made plane tickets in and out of there so damn expensive. Like 800-1000 to Minneapolis.
****
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sonunox34
hard to explain exactly what they do but if you YouTube floorhand oil rig duties you should find a few videos of the actual work. I think the only time they take a break because of the weather is if there is lighting or a tornado warning in the area. They do not stop work because of the cold though. There is always a chance to lose a finger working on a rig...the guys that do lose them are usually veterans who thought they were too good to get hurt. People do make that money out here...you're not going to fly in and get that 100k a year job right away but after a year or two its very realistic. Plus most jobs out here pay you a per diem, anywhere between $50-$150 a day just for showing up. Some are even tax free. Hours are long...12-16hrs a day, 80-100 a week. Its hard but those paychecks can ease the pain just enough to keep you going.
I don't make 100k a year cause I'd rather put some money aside and then travel for a few weeks. This place can burn you out mentally and I've found a nice balance to be able to be here this long
azul rolex
the people of ND are extremely nice and hospitable. They have no issues with minorities in the community. They are curious about minorities so they just like to ask a lot of questions but are super friendly people. Never had an issue with the ND people. I have had more problems with people that are here from out of state than the people of ND.Plane tickets to Minneapolis are not $800-1000 unless you are trying to fly same day or something
Best bet is to fly into Minot or Bismarck for cheaper airfare.
When I go on my breaks I usually just buy a $60 Amtrak ticket to MSP and get really good deals on airfare from there. Same thing coming back. Fly into MSP, Amtrak to ND....it'll save you a decent amount of money
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cubanref
What part of North Dakota are you in?
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derryj3
thanks I appreciate it!
zapatohead408
I'm in a small town just east of Williston. Most of the oil field work is in the western part of the state
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Man I've always wanted to go on the rigs but I feel like I would let my parents down by doing so.
Anyways I remember I asked my friend when he gets breaks on the rig and he says ' every two weeks'. I go ' nah man like when do yall take breaks when working'.. he looks at me and says 'like i say every two weeks'
:X
Anyways I remember I asked my friend when he gets breaks on the rig and he says ' every two weeks'. I go ' nah man like when do yall take breaks when working'.. he looks at me and says 'like i say every two weeks'
:X
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I felt the same way when I told my parents I was dropping out and joining the trades. They understood and are actually supporting me.
does anybody know how the unions up there are? I'm sure it's completely different than California.
