Very cold winters, windy conditions, and short but real summers keep heating systems under heavy load across North Dakota. Average pay runs $70,010/year — 8.1% above the national average — with 970 techs employed across Minot, Fargo, and Grand Forks.
Salary Distribution
10th Pct
$46,610
entry-level
25th Pct
$56,770
early career
Median
$74,490
typical wage
75th Pct
$78,920
experienced
90th Pct
$94,060
senior tech
Wage data source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS May 2025
Metro Markets
Metro-level salary data from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS May 2025. Cities ranked by HVAC employment count.
Licensing
Authority: ND Secretary of State (general contractor registration) + local building departments (HVAC trade)
License type: General Contractor License (project value tiers) — no statewide HVAC trade license
Threshold or scope: Contractor registration for $4,000+ projects; HVAC trade rules at local level
Continuing education: Varies by municipality
Key details: Fargo, Bismarck, Grand Forks each license HVAC trade locally.
For the most current licensing rules, fees, and reciprocity details, always consult the state authority.
Apprenticeship Programs
3
Verified Programs
Apprenticeship sponsor data verified through union local primary sources, state Building Trades directories, and apprenticeship.gov.
Training
Program details vary by school. Verify cost, duration, and certification requirements directly with each institution.
Industry Density
Contracting Businesses
159
AC & refrigeration · NAICS 238222
HVAC Mechanics Employed
970
SOC 49-9021
11.51¢/kWh
Residential Electricity
#1 of 51
State Energy Rank
Establishment data from BLS QCEW NAICS 238222. Employment from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 (SOC 49-9021). Electricity rates from EIA Electric Power Annual 2024.
Climate Profile
7
Very Cold
extreme_heating
Heating dominates North Dakota's Very Cold climate. Deep winters create high-stakes demand for furnace, boiler, and heat pump reliability — HVAC technicians here build careers around heating systems with short but intense summer cooling demand.
Climate zone classification per IECC 2021 (International Energy Conservation Code).
FAQ
HVAC mechanics and installers in North Dakota earn a mean annual wage of $70,010, about 8.1% above the national mean of $64,800 (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Entry-level technicians (10th percentile) average $46,610, and experienced techs at the 90th percentile reach $94,060. See our full salary breakdown for percentile data and metro variation.
The three largest HVAC job markets in North Dakota are Fargo with about 370 HVAC mechanics, Bismarck with about 200 HVAC mechanics, and Grand Forks with about 130 HVAC mechanics. Each city page lists current openings and average pay for that metro.
Three of the most established HVAC programs in North Dakota are Bismarck State College, North Dakota State College of Science, and North Dakota State University. Programs typically run 6–24 months and prepare graduates for EPA Section 608 certification and entry-level positions. See our trade schools directory for full program details.
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