Is there a place with high wages and low unemployment?

By Paul Moore


1% unemployment and wages three times higher than elsewhere 

The answer is a resounding, Yes!

You may have not yet heard of Williston, North Dakota, but you will.  Given that this quaint little town has a population of a mere 14,716 in the 2010 census, it's no surprise it has been flying under the radar. However, the town has become a major source of interest for many people looking for work across the country. The reason? An oil boom has fueled a wealth of job opportunities in the area, from drillers to truck drivers, and from beauticians to chefs.   When there is growth, all sectors grow.

Big names such as Halliburton, Hess, and Schlumberger are helping to keep the unemployment rate in the area lower than anywhere else in the country. Towns across North Dakota are bursting their seams, and Williston may be at the top of that list.

The Big Boom

This might be called the Big Boom Theory - If you drill it, will they come?  Except for the fact that this boom is reality.  The jobs are coming, like blessed rain over parched earth.  Oil production in the area has skyrocketed due to the opening of the Bakken oil field. These reserves have long been protected and hidden in layers of shale. The introduction of fracking technologies has provided access to the black gold, fueling growth in North Dakota’s already thriving economy.

State of the Economy

Statewide, North Dakota can boast of an unemployment rate of 3%, well below the national figure of around 9%. Such low percentages are not new to North Dakota, though, as they have not reached the 5% mark since 1987. Overall, the nation is struggling to see an increase in GDP, with only a 1.5% increase for 2011, while North Dakota lead the nation with a 7.6% growth. Figures like these help put the fantastic numbers around Williston in perspective. North Dakota is standing strong economically at a time when many other states struggle to make budget.

Employment Opportunities

Across the country, small businesses and corporations are downsizing due to the difficulties in the economic situation. The opposite is true in Williston, where the exploding growth is making the infrastructure of the community struggle to keep up. Some of the best job opportunity sectors are law enforcement, doctors and nurses, and teachers. Anytime population increases, need for these services naturally rise.

Other businesses are desperate for workers as well, especially those in the food service and hospitality industries. Entry-level waitresses can bring in $25 an hour, plus have the option of plenty of overtime, and the usual tips.

Of course, there are plenty of oilfield jobs. Besides those actually working on the rigs, truckers are in high demand to handle current production rates of 594,000 barrels per day. Pipelines need to be installed, surveying done, the opportunities are certainly numerous.

The building industry is booming as well. According to Fox News, Williston added 2,100 housing units last year, and will likely add at least 3,500 more in the next year. Real estate development is on the rise, with plans in place to add industrial parks, restaurants, medical facilities, and hotels as quickly as they can be built to keep up with the demand. If wages keep up with the current rate, the new facilities will mean more lucrative jobs with high dollar opportunities.'

Many workers are committing to working very hard for two or three years and setting aside all the money so they can pay off mortgages and live more simply back home again. For those struggling to find work in other states, the Bakken area offers hope for the future and security for families who are willing to invest serious labor in return for high wages.  

Source: news.sky.com/story/968314/workers-in-us-man-camps-power-oil-boom

Paul Moore works with a company in the Bakken area that provides camp-style housing for company employees.   Bakken Residence Suites has accomodations that feel just like home - the modern and comfortable man camp.