Moving to North Dakota from Florida.... (Fargo, Bismarck: find a job, school, living)

[khuffstutler]

My family and I are looking to relocate due to the loss of good paying work in Fla. My wife and I have three boys ages 5, 7, and 9. We like country living and dont mind the drive into town. Im used to hard work Ive done fence work and had my own copampany for 4 yrs. We heard about the oil boom in North Dakota from a couple of friends of ours. They are in North Dakota for the week right now trying to gain info about obtaining a good job. I have been on the North Dakota state job service site. I can not seem to find detailed info about the jobs being offered. I can not get a strait awnser from any company I call all Im being told is to fill out an application and they will talk to you. Hard to do since Im in Fla. So what Im trying to figure out is are the jobs really paying $50,000.00 a year to start NO experiance? Will they provide lodging while working durring the 2wks on 1wk off? What certifications do you need and can you do them while your working and earning $$? Do the companies pay for your certification? Who is good to work for and what jobs should I apply for? If anyone can help me out befor I spend $600.00 for a flight up there I would greatly appriciate it. By the way anyone know an airline where you can get a cheap flight from Fla. to North Dakota? Anyone that can help thanks for your time and hope to see your beautiful state soon.
Kenneth

[robert999]

Have you ever been to N Dakota in the winter? It is 100 times more intense than any summer day in Florida. You can't work outside in the winter. I was in Fargo last Feb and it was 47 below with the wind chill. (it has been 70 below with windchill). My hands felt like they were hit with hammers after 5 minutes of scraping ice off of the windshield.

[jamesandveybe]

khuff,

I am where you are in your job search. I cannot get good info either, just vague conditions. If you come across some opportunity, let me know by PM. Thanks.

[traveler73]

3 years ago I did the same move you are thinking about, St Pete to Bismarck. I didn't do oil, but I know a couple roughnecks.

The companies are right about not being able to speak with you until an app has been filled out. It's not just oil companies, it's an EOE thing. The new oil jobs are mainly in the western part of the state. So try calling Job Service in Dickinson or Williston directly and speak with a job counsler. Some oil companies use Job Service as a screener. They could give you some insight on where the jobs are and some tips on how to apply from FL.

About the pay, $50K is a conservative estimate. Some first year guys are making $60 to $75K. The overtime pay is absolutely insane.

Robert999 has a point though. Air temps of -30 are common in a ND winter. It's brutal to run outside and start up the car let alone working in it for 12 hours pumping oil. It's a very tough job and the cold makes it tougher.

[TravisW]

-30 isn't that terribly common, even north of Williston. Granted, there might be a couple weeks per year of that as a nighttime temp, but you get used to it. Good clothes and good eating make it tolerable. Even working outside, if you're working hard, wearing good clothes, and eating enough, you'll be fine.

[Cain]

To me at least coming from the south and living through some NorEasters when I was in CT, I find north dakota's cold on the western part of the state much more bearible than the heavy wet snow conditions we would get in CT. the dryness of the region seems to help things feel warmer. Don't get me wrong, negative 30 is REALLY cold, but when you have days where you are hanging around zero or above, its not as bad as you would think.

As for jobs and pay, I have relatives that work the rigs, 50K is a conservative number for sure as they pretty much have a highschool education and 2 of them run crews on the rigs right now, and they are in there 20s as I understand it. Just one saying to remember that my father in law passed on to me about rig work:

"Its a young mans sport"

[cslogan]

hi--I just came across your post as I was making my own.Have you moved from Florida yet? I am trying to find a job in either the restaurant business or maybe a cashier in a store. I have run my own laundry business for the pipeline guys that were here in Ms. for the past 2 years. that job ended last week when the last of the bunch finished up their work here. thanks