Top Refinery Operator Training Programs in North Dakota

Refinery operator training programs in North Dakota prepare students for careers in the state’s growing oil and gas industry. North Dakota is home to several key refineries, including the Mandan Refinery, operated by Marathon Petroleum, with a capacity of 71,000 barrels per day.

Additionally, the Dickinson Refinery, owned by Marathon, has transitioned to producing renewable diesel fuel.

These facilities highlight the state’s commitment to energy production and the need for skilled refinery operators. With an aging workforce and high demand for professional operators, these programs equip students with the technical skills and hands-on experience needed for stable, high-paying jobs in the refining sector.

Why Become a Refinery Operator in North Dakota?

North Dakota has a strong oil and gas industry, offering steady employment and career growth. Many workers are retiring, creating opportunities for new refinery operators. Training programs help students develop technical and problem-solving skills needed for refinery jobs.

Required Skills and Qualifications

Marathon’s Mandan refinery lists HS/GED, ability to work 12‑hour shifts in a 24/7 operation, and completion of pre‑employment screening as baseline; prior refinery/process experience or a 2‑year technical program can be advantageous. Expect field work (climbing, confined spaces), PPE/respirator use, and strong adherence to procedures.

Refinery Operator Salaries in North Dakota

Entry-level refinery operators in North Dakota earn between $13.00 and $20.00 per hour, and experienced operators make between $18.00 and $35.00 per hour.

Area	Mean Hourly Wage	Mean annual wage	Hourly wage 10th percentile	Hourly wage 25th percentile	Hourly wage 75th percentile	Hourly wage 90th percentile
North Dakota	$47.12	$98,010	$37.78	$44.54	$51.12	$57.75

Opportunities for Advancement

Many refinery operators start in entry-level positions and move into management roles. Career growth in this field allows workers to gain senior positions over time.

Refinery Operator Training Programs

These programs teach refinery processes and operational skills. Students earn certificates or associate degrees in about two years. Training includes both classroom instruction and hands-on experience.

Course Structure and Content

Programs like Bismarck State College’s Process Technology program offer on-campus and online classes. Students can earn a degree or certificate in four semesters. Courses cover technical knowledge and practical training.

Hands-On Training

Programs include hands-on training to prepare students for real refinery environments. Bismarck State College and TrainND Northwest offer practical learning experiences that improve job readiness.

Required Instructional Materials

Students use blueprints, process flow diagrams, and machinery guides. Online modules cover process chemistry, distillation, and troubleshooting techniques. Training also includes environmental safety and pollution prevention.

Top Training Programs in North Dakota

Bismarck State College – Process Technology (AAS)

Address: 1500 Edwards Ave, Bismarck, ND 58506, United States
Tel: +1 800-445-5073
Tuition Fee:
- Resident: $225.88/credit
- Non-resident: $338.82/credit
- International: $395.29/credit

An applied pathway for front‑line process operators that builds the technical and safety skills needed to run complex process units – preparing graduates for roles in operating refineries, petrochemical plants, gasification, ethanol, and natural‑gas processing facilities.

Program highlights

Format: On‑campus (limited seats) and online options. On‑campus cohorts begin in Fall or Spring; online intakes start every 3–5 weeks.
Credential & pace: Associate in Applied Science; typically four semesters (53 technical credits + general education). Accelerated options available.
Industry‑aligned training: Emphasis on plant safety, operator responsibilities, and the mechanical/chemical technology used in modern process operations.
Hands‑on component (online students): 80 hours of job shadowing in ENRT 220 – Practical Applications to build field competencies.

Williston State College – Electronics & Industrial Controls (AAS)

Address: 1410 University Ave, Williston, ND 58801, United States
Tel: +1 701-774-4200

On‑campus training in PLCs, process control, SCADA, and instrumentation – skills used to monitor and control industrial processes across energy and manufacturing settings.

Program highlights

Credential: Associate in Applied Science; minimum 62 credits.
Core coursework: Programmable Controllers I & II, Process Control I & II, SCADA & Process Visualization, Field Device Networks, and Control System Installation & Troubleshooting.
Instrumentation focus: Electronics & instrumentation labs build skills for calibrating and maintaining field devices used in automated plants.
Work‑based learning: Cooperative Education/Internship (COOP 197) included in the degree plan.

University of North Dakota – Oil Refinery Operations (Online)

Address: Grand Forks, ND 58202, United States
Tel: +1 701-777-3000
Tuition Fee: $2,795

A self‑paced online program that builds foundational knowledge for entry‑level oil refinery operator roles.

Program highlights

Format: Online, self‑paced, with open enrollment.
Access & effort: 12 months of access; 400 course hours.

Pathways Into Refinery Operations

You don’t have to focus only on courses explicitly named “refinery operations” to enter this industry. Training in related technical areas can give you many of the same practical skills – process systems, controls, and equipment understanding – that make you operator-ready.

If the North Dakota page lists a Refinery Operations track, that’s one path. You can also lean into programs such as Process Technology, Instrumentation & Controls, Industrial Maintenance, Petroleum Technology, or Safety Management. These routes help you build the tools to begin as a field or board operator, then grow toward control room, optimization, or leadership roles over time.

Average Rent Near Refinery Operator Schools in North Dakota

Here’s a simple, student‑friendly snapshot for Bismarck State College (BSC) in Bismarck, North Dakota. Numbers below focus on what a refinery‑operations or energy student would actually pay to live near campus.

Bismarck State College (Bismarck, ND)

Off‑campus (1‑bedroom): ~$1,120/month (city 1‑BR average). Apartments.com
On‑campus (per semester, housing only):
- Lidstrom Hall: Triple $1,781; Double $2,254; Single $3,268. Bismarck State College
- Mystic Hall: Double $2,474; Single $3,235. Bismarck State College
- Swensen Hall: Double $1,698; Single $2,462. Bismarck State College
- Werner Hall: Double $1,677; Single $2,462. Bismarck State College
- Health Science Hall: Double $2,728; Single $3,502. Bismarck State College
- Ritchie Hall / Gate City Bank Hall (apartment‑style): Double $2,728; Single $3,502. Bismarck State College
- Meal plan (required in most halls): Mystic Standard (≈12 meals/week) $2,359/semester; Mystic Green (Ritchie/Gate City, ≈7 meals/week) $1,434/semester.

Additional Cost Considerations

If you rent off campus in Bismarck, plan for utilities, getting to campus/work, and day‑to‑day essentials. Figures below are simple monthly anchors – always confirm what your lease already covers.

Utilities

Home internet: ~$50/month for Quantum Fiber 500 Mbps in Bismarck where available; Midco cable plans commonly start around $55/month (200 Mbps) in the area.

Electricity: ~$118/month – North Dakota’s average residential electric bill (EIA 2023). U.S. Energy Information Administration

Natural gas (heat/cooking, if your unit has gas): ~$60–$80/month is a practical student budget based on local utility rate structures (daily customer charge plus delivery and gas cost). MDU’s residential daily charge and gas cost components are published by the utility; price of gas in ND is tracked by EIA. Montana-Dakota Utilities CO.+1

Water/sewer & city services: Plan ~ $40–$55/month when tenant‑paid. Bismarck’s 2025 rate sheet shows water minimum $10.11, sewer minimum $11.26, plus fixed city service charges; actual apartment billing varies by meter and whether the landlord bundles utilities. Bismarck ND+1

Transport and Commute Costs

City bus (Bis‑Man Transit “The CAT”): 30‑day pass $24 for higher‑ed students with ID (regular $36). Routes include a BSC Trip Planner. BisMan Transit
Parking at BSC: Student parking permits are free (permit required; pick up from Campus Police). Bismarck State College
If you drive: Bismarck average gas ~ $2.97/gal right now (AAA metro average). AAA Fuel Prices

Food and Supplies

MIT’s county‑level benchmarks for a single adult in Burleigh County are helpful planning guides:

Groceries (“Food”): ~$4,302/year → about $359/month. Living Wage Calculator
Personal supplies & household basics (“Other”): ~$4,112/year → about $343/month. In the budget below, this is split across Personal supplies, Dining out & entertainment, and Miscellaneous to keep things simple.

Sample Monthly Budget

Example for a BSC student renting a 1‑bedroom off campus and using a student 30‑day CAT pass. Rounded for easy reading; sources appear on each line.

Expense category	Estimated monthly cost
Off campus rent	$906
Utilities cost (heat, electric, water, internet)	$295
Groceries	$322
Transport costs	$80
Personal supplies and toiletries	$110
Dining out and entertainment	$140
Miscellaneous	$64
Total estimated monthly cost	$1,917

Key Skills You’ll Develop

Training programs teach practical and theoretical skills, including:

Basic Math and Computer Skills: Essential for measuring materials and managing refinery systems.
Electrical Safety and Equipment Handling: Training in troubleshooting and safety measures to prevent accidents.
Process Drawings and Industrial Valves: Understanding refinery systems and controlling material flow.

Refinery Operator Job Listings in North Dakota

North Dakota openings track the Bakken – Williston, Dickinson, Watford City – and the Bismarck–Mandan corridor (refining, terminals, gas plants), with added demand near Minot and Fargo. Not every posting is a refinery-operator job – or even directly refinery-track – but many support process operations, maintenance, and E&I/instrumentation across gas processing, power, ethanol, and water/wastewater. Expect 24/7 facilities, rotating and day shifts, cold-weather readiness, and strong demand for reliable, safety-minded techs.

Job Title	Company	Location	Date Posted
Gauger – Bethel Gathering	Kinder Morgan	Williston, ND	09/30/2025
Gauger – Springbrook Gathering	Kinder Morgan	Williston, ND	09/23/2025
Auto Fuel System Operator	Big Ass Tanks, LLC	Watford City, ND	08/11/2024
Gauger (Nights) – Trenton Gathering	Kinder Morgan	Williston, ND	08/26/2025

Please note: The above mentioned job listings are not permanent and are subject to change. For more accurate information, visit CareerOneStop.org.

Financial Assistance and Support

Students can access financial aid, scholarships, and workforce development programs. Advising teams help with applications and funding options.

Federal Aid and Scholarships are available for students to reduce education costs.
Workforce Development Boards: Provide financial resources and scholarships.
Student Advising Teams: Guide students through financial aid and administrative processes.

Graduate Success Stories

Graduates often secure entry-level positions quickly. Many advance to management roles over time. Their training provides the confidence and skills needed to excel in the refinery industry.

A career as a refinery operator in North Dakota offers strong job security, good wages, and career growth. Top training programs provide technical skills and hands-on experience. This career path is promising, with financial aid options and a high worker demand.