Becoming an Automotive Technician or Mechanic in North Dakota
Have you always been interested in how cars work? You can make a great career out of that by becoming an auto or diesel mechanic! Not only will you be able to fix your own car, but you can assist others and get paid for it. Do what you love while earning a good income.
Requirements for becoming an Automotive Service Technician in North Dakota
In North Dakota, auto mechanics do not need to have a license in order to work. However, those who wish to get more formalized training can pursue a certificate or diploma in automotive technology from a number of different institutions. Most employers require that their technicians have a minimum of a high school diploma or GED and some knowledge of basic auto repair techniques.
ASE Certification
Many mechanics are not certified by the ASE (Automotive Service Excellence), but many employers prefer applicants who have this credential. To become certified, you must pass the tests set by the ASE Certification Program and have experience in the field or a combination of education and experience.
There are over 40 ASE certification exams to choose from. Some of the more popular tests include:
- Damage analysis and estimating certification test
- Light truck certification tests
- School bus certification tests
- Engine Machinist certification tests
- Alternate fuels certification test
- Truck equipment certification tests
- Transit bus certification tests
- Parts specialist certification tests
- Collision repair and refinish certification tests
- Auto maintenance and light repair certification test
ASE-accredited auto mechanic programs in North Dakota
North Dakota has 2,140 employed automotive service technicians and mechanics, according to BLS May 2025 OEWS data. The state has a small but focused set of ASE-accredited training programs. ASE accreditation means the program meets the quality standards set by the ASE Education Foundation, the nationally recognized body for automotive training. Across all levels, the ASE Education Foundation lists 13 schools and 16 programs in North Dakota. This page covers all of them.
The programs below are split into two groups. The first group is for adults who want to enroll now. The second group is for high school students only.
Post-secondary programs you can enroll in
All 5 post-secondary ASE-accredited programs in North Dakota are listed below. These are the programs open to adult students and career changers. Each one has been reviewed and approved by the ASE Education Foundation. Community colleges generally cost less per credit hour than private technical institutes, though you should contact each school directly for current tuition information.
| School | City | Program series | Accreditation expires | Website |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bismarck State College | Bismarck | Automobile | February 1, 2029 | bismarckstate.edu |
| Bismarck State College | Bismarck | Collision Repair and Refinishing | September 1, 2031 | bismarckstate.edu |
| Lake Region State College | Devils Lake | Automobile | February 1, 2028 | lrsc.edu |
| North Dakota State College of Science | Wahpeton | Automobile | May 1, 2031 | ndscs.edu |
| United Tribes Technical College | Bismarck | Automobile | January 1, 2030 | uttc.edu |
What ASE accreditation means for your training
When a program carries ASE accreditation, it has passed a review of its equipment, curriculum, and instructor qualifications. That review repeats on a set schedule, so schools must stay current. The expiration dates in the table above show when each program’s current review period ends. A program with a distant expiration date has recently passed its review. If you enroll in an accredited program, you can use that credential when applying for jobs. Many employers in North Dakota recognize ASE accreditation and prefer it when hiring entry-level technicians.
Manufacturer-sponsored programs
Some automakers run their own training programs alongside traditional school programs. These are called OEM programs, meaning Original Equipment Manufacturer programs. Ford, GM, Toyota, and others partner with selected community colleges and technical schools to offer brand-specific training. Students in these programs often alternate between classroom work and paid dealership internships.
North Dakota does not currently host a dedicated OEM training campus, but students from North Dakota do enroll in regional OEM programs at schools in neighboring states. If you want to specialize in a single brand, contact dealerships in your area first. Ask which OEM program they support and which schools they work with. The dealership can often connect you with a program and may offer a sponsorship that covers part of your training costs.
High school programs: what you can start right now
This section is written for you if you are currently in high school. These programs are not open to adult career-changers. They run inside career and technology centers and high schools across North Dakota, and they give you a head start on the skills you will need after graduation.
All 11 secondary ASE-accredited programs in North Dakota are listed below. Five of them carry AYES designation. AYES stands for Automotive Youth Educational Systems. It is a structured pipeline that connects your high school training directly to a participating dealership. In an AYES program, you do not just take shop class. You work with a mentor technician at a real dealership, earn hours that count toward your future ASE certifications, and build a relationship with an employer before you graduate. That is a real advantage over a general automotive elective, and very few states publish a full list of their AYES programs. The five AYES programs in North Dakota are marked in the table below.
| School | City | Program series | AYES | Accreditation expires | Website |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bismarck Technical Center | Bismarck | Automobile | No | September 1, 2029 | bismarckschools.org |
| Fargo South High School | Fargo | Automobile | Yes | June 1, 2031 | fargok12.nd.us |
| James Valley Career and Technology Center | Jamestown | Automobile | No | June 1, 2030 | jamestown.k12.nd.us |
| James Valley Career and Technology Center | Jamestown | Collision Repair and Refinishing | No | June 1, 2030 | jamestown.k12.nd.us |
| Minot High School | Minot | Automobile | No | May 1, 2027 | minot.k12.nd.us |
| Minot High School | Minot | Collision Repair and Refinishing | No | July 1, 2027 | minot.k12.nd.us |
| North Valley Career and Technology Center | Grafton | Automobile | Yes | November 1, 2024 | northvalleyctc.org |
| Red River High School | Grand Forks | Automobile | No | June 1, 2028 | edline.net |
| Southeast Region Career and Tech. Center | Wahpeton | Automobile | Yes | May 1, 2025 | srctc.k12.nd |
| Southeast Region Career and Technology Center | Oakes | Automobile | Yes | November 1, 2030 | srctc.k12.nd.us |
| Turtle Mountain Community High School | Belcourt | Automobile | Yes | January 1, 2025 | belcourtk12.nd.us |
A note on accreditation expiration dates
Some programs in the table above show expiration dates that have already passed. That does not automatically mean the program has closed. Schools sometimes renew their accreditation but the public directory takes time to update. It can also mean a program is in the renewal process. Contact the school directly to confirm the program’s current status before you make any decisions based on that listing.
How an AYES program differs from a standard auto class
In a standard high school auto class, you practice skills in a school shop. In an AYES program, you also work with a real technician at a local dealership. That technician serves as your mentor. You log hours in both the classroom and the shop floor. Those logged hours count toward the experience requirement for ASE certification tests later in your career. You also make professional contacts at the dealership, which often leads to a job offer after graduation or after you finish a post-secondary program. If there is an AYES school in your district, it is worth finding out whether you qualify to enroll.
What mechanics earn in North Dakota
Pay in this field varies a lot depending on what type of vehicles you work on and how much experience you have. The figures below come from BLS May 2025 OEWS data and cover four related roles in North Dakota.
Automotive service technicians and mechanics
This is the core role most training programs prepare you for. In North Dakota, 2,140 people work in this occupation. The median wage is $57,360 per year. Half of all technicians in the state earn between $43,330 and $63,560. Workers just starting out, at the 10th percentile, earn around $37,610. Experienced technicians at the top of the pay range, at the 90th percentile, earn up to $83,860.
Bus and truck mechanics and diesel engine specialists
If you specialize in diesel and heavy vehicles, pay is higher. North Dakota has 1,790 workers in this occupation. The median wage is $66,110, and the mean is $68,600. Workers at the 25th percentile earn $58,080. Those at the 90th percentile earn $91,520. Many automotive training programs give you a foundation that you can build on with additional diesel certification later.
Automotive body and collision repairers
Body and collision repair is a separate trade with its own training path. North Dakota employs 680 workers in this field. The median wage is $55,160, and the mean is $59,770. Pay ranges from $36,970 at the 10th percentile to $98,600 at the 90th percentile. That wide range reflects the difference between entry-level positions and experienced specialists who handle complex structural repairs. Both Bismarck State College and James Valley Career and Technology Center offer accredited collision repair programs that can put you on this path.
Automotive glass installers and repairers
This is a smaller specialty. North Dakota has about 40 workers in this role. The median wage is $56,280 and the mean is $57,520. Pay runs from $40,240 at the 10th percentile to $79,930 at the 90th percentile.
How pay progresses across a career
The data above shows a clear pattern. When you enter this field, you will likely start somewhere near the 10th or 25th percentile for your role. For automotive service technicians, that means roughly $37,610 to $43,330 per year. As you build experience and earn ASE certifications, your pay moves toward the median and beyond. Technicians who specialize in diesel or reach master technician level can move past $80,000 per year. Collision repairers with strong skills and a good book of work can reach close to $100,000 at the top of the range. The gap between a starting wage and a top-of-range wage in North Dakota is large enough that the path you choose early in your career matters.
Diesel and heavy equipment pays more at every point on the scale than general automotive work. If you are deciding between programs, that difference is worth factoring in. You do not have to choose diesel from day one, but knowing the gap exists helps you plan your certifications and specializations over time.
Choosing the right program for you
North Dakota has five accredited post-secondary programs spread across four schools. Your choice will likely come down to location, the series offered, and the type of vehicles you want to work on. If you want to focus on collision repair, Bismarck State College is the only post-secondary school in the state with an accredited Collision Repair and Refinishing program. For general automotive work, you have four options: Bismarck State College, Lake Region State College in Devils Lake, North Dakota State College of Science in Wahpeton, and United Tribes Technical College in Bismarck.
If you are still in high school, look at the secondary programs first. An AYES program in particular can give you real shop hours and a dealership connection before you even finish your diploma. From there, you can move into a post-secondary program with more experience and a clearer sense of the direction you want to take.
Start by contacting the schools in your area. Ask about current enrollment, program length, and what certifications you can work toward while enrolled. The program pages linked in the tables above are your best starting point.
Financial aid may be available to those who qualify. Contact the financial office at the institute you are interested in for more information.
Working as an Auto Mechanic in North Dakota
Working as an auto mechanic in North Dakota is a great way to use your technical skills and knowledge and get paid for it. The hours are typically flexible, and the industry offers job security. You will be able to work with your hands, solve problems and make a difference in the lives of others. With the right training and certification, you can open up a range of job opportunities in North Dakota.