A Local's Guide to a Police Career in Williston, ND

If you're considering a move to Williston, you're looking at one of the most unique policing environments in the country. This isn't just a small-town gig; it's a hybrid of rural law enforcement and the frontline challenges of the oil boom. As a local, I've watched the city navigate the highs and lows of the energy industry, and that directly impacts the police department. This guide is for the officer who wants the straight facts—no fluff, just the data and the street-level reality of policing in the Bakken.

The Salary Picture: Where Williston Stands

Let's cut to the chase: the money here is competitive for the region, but you have to stack it against the cost of living. The median salary for a Police Officer in Williston is $73,336/year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $35.26/hour. How does that stack up? It's slightly below the national average of $74,910/year, but it's a strong figure for North Dakota. The Williston Metro Area, which includes a broad rural territory, has only 55 jobs in the field, so competition for stable, long-term positions can be fierce. The 10-year job growth is 3%, which is modest and reflects the city's population stability post-boom.

Here’s how that salary typically breaks down by experience level in the Williston Police Department (WPD) and surrounding agencies:

Experience Level	Typical Title	Estimated Annual Salary	Key Responsibilities
Entry-Level	Patrol Officer	$55,000 - $62,000	Patrol, calls for service, basic investigations, community interaction.
Mid-Career	Senior Officer / Field Training Officer	$65,000 - $75,000	Mentoring new officers, handling complex calls, specialized training roles.
Senior	Sergeant / Detective	$78,000 - $88,000	Supervision, investigative work (detective track), policy implementation.
Expert	Lieutenant / Captain	$90,000 - $105,000	Command staff, major investigations, strategic planning, budgeting.

Local Insight: The WPD has a step-based pay system. Your starting salary is negotiable based on prior experience and education, but you'll progress through the steps annually. Promotions to Sergeant and above come with significant pay bumps, but they are highly competitive.

How does this compare to other ND cities?

• Bismarck (State Capital): Slightly higher cost of living, salaries are comparable but with more state-level specialty units.
• Fargo: Higher population, more specialized units, and salaries are often marginally higher to compete with a slightly higher cost of living.
• Grand Forks: Similar to Bismarck, with a strong university police presence. Salaries are in the same ballpark.

Williston's edge is its low cost of living, which can make your $73,336 go much further than in a larger metro.

The Real Take-Home: After Taxes and Rent

A median salary sounds good, but what does it mean for your daily life? Let's break it down for a single officer with no dependents.

Assumptions:

• Gross Annual Salary: $73,336
• State Income Tax (ND): ~3.25% (effective rate)
• Federal Taxes: ~22% (effective rate for this bracket, includes standard deduction)
• FICA (Social Security & Medicare): 7.65%
• Average 1BR Rent in Williston: $837/month (City Context)
• Cost of Living Index: 93.0 (US Avg = 100) – meaning we're 7% cheaper than the national average.

Monthly Budget Breakdown:

Item	Estimated Cost	Notes
Gross Monthly Pay	$6,111
Net Monthly Pay (After Taxes)	~$4,450	This is a conservative estimate. Your take-home will vary.
Rent (1BR Apartment)	$837	This is the city average. See the neighborhood section for details.
Utilities (Electric, Heat, Water, Internet)	$250	Winter heating bills can be high.
Car Payment & Insurance	$450	Essential. Public transit is very limited.
Groceries & Household	$400	Insider Tip: Shop at the local grocery stores (like Market Place Foods or Superstore) rather than the smaller, pricier convenience stores.
Health Insurance (Copay/Deductible)	$200	Most departments offer good plans, but you'll have out-of-pocket costs.
Miscellaneous/Entertainment	$300
Total Expenses	~$2,437
Monthly Savings/Discretionary	~$2,013

Can they afford to buy a home? Absolutely. With $2,000+ in monthly discretionary income, saving for a down payment is feasible. The median home price in Williston is around $250,000 - $300,000. A 20% down payment on a $280,000 home is $56,000. At the savings rate above, that could take 2-3 years of disciplined saving. A 30-year mortgage on that home with a 6.5% interest rate would be roughly $1,400/month, which is very manageable on the net salary. Starter homes in neighborhoods like the East End or near the airport can be found for under $200,000.

Where the Jobs Are: Williston's Major Employers

The 55 jobs in the metro aren't all with the Williston Police Department. Here’s a breakdown of the primary local employers for law enforcement professionals:

1. Williston Police Department (WPD): The largest employer. They have about 50 sworn officers. Hiring is cyclical, often tied to budget approvals from the city commission. They use a civil service exam. Insider Tip: They prioritize candidates with military experience and those who already have their ND Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) license.
2. Williams County Sheriff's Office: Covers the vast rural county outside the city limits. They handle everything from rural patrols to managing the county jail. They often have openings for deputies, which can be a great stepping stone into the WPD.
3. Williston State College (WSC): The campus police department is small but stable. They deal with campus security, student issues, and patrol the campus grounds. The pay is slightly lower than city/county, but the hours are often more regular.
4. Williston Basin School District #7: The district employs School Resource Officers (SROs). These are typically WPD officers assigned to schools. It's a specialty assignment after you have a few years on patrol. It offers a different pace and focus on community policing with youth.
5. Private Security for Oil & Gas Companies: Companies like Hess, ExxonMobil (XTO Energy), and Continental Resources have significant operations in the region. They hire armed security for their facilities, pipelines, and corporate offices. Pay can be very competitive ($30-$40/hour), but it's a different world—less variety, more static posts. It's a popular second job or post-retirement gig for local officers.
6. St. Luke's Hospital (Now part of Sanford Health): The hospital has its own security team, often staffed by individuals with law enforcement or military backgrounds. It's a less confrontational environment but requires strong de-escalation skills.
7. City of Williston Public Works & Parks: Not law enforcement, but the city hires peace officers for code enforcement and park patrols, which is a related field with a different focus.

Hiring Trends: The energy sector is the economic driver. When oil prices are high and drilling is active, the city's tax base grows, leading to potential new hires at WPD. When the industry slumps, hiring freezes can occur. The recent stability suggests a steady, but not booming, hiring market.

Getting Licensed in ND: The POST Process

You cannot work as a peace officer in North Dakota without certification from the Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) Board.

Key Requirements:

1. Basic Certification: You must complete a POST-approved basic training academy. This is typically a 12-week, 600-hour course. The primary academy is at the North Dakota State College of Science (NDSCS) in Wahpeton (about 3.5 hours from Williston). Some agencies run their own in-house academies, but they must meet POST standards.
2. Prerequisites: You must be at least 21, have a high school diploma/GED, and pass a rigorous background check (driving record, criminal history, financial checks).
3. Physical Fitness Test: All candidates must pass a standardized physical fitness test (push-ups, sit-ups, 1.5-mile run, etc.). Train for this before you apply.
4. Cost: The POST academy tuition is approximately $2,500 - $3,500 for in-state residents. Out-of-state applicants pay more. Many agencies, including WPD, will sponsor your academy training if you are hired as a recruit (meaning you get paid a trainee salary while in the academy). This is the most common path. If you self-sponsor, you bear the full cost.
5. Timeline:
   • If you're already POST-certified (from another state): You can apply for reciprocity. The process can take 60-90 days. ND has a reciprocal agreement with many states, but you may need to take a state-specific law exam.
   • If you need to start from scratch: The timeline is longer. You need to apply to an agency, get hired, and then go through their process (which can take 3-6 months) before starting the academy. The academy itself is 12 weeks. Total time from application to being a solo patrol officer is typically 9-12 months.

Insider Tip: The WPD prefers candidates who are already POST-certified. However, they do sponsor recruits. Your best bet is to apply and highlight any prior military police or security experience. Be prepared for a long background investigation—they are thorough.

Best Neighborhoods for Police Officers

Where you live affects your commute, lifestyle, and budget. In Williston, you'll likely be working shifts, so a short, safe commute is key.

Neighborhood	Vibe & Commute	Rent Estimate (1BR)	Why It's Good for Cops
East End	Older, established, quiet. Close to the hospital and downtown.	$700 - $850	Very short commute to the WPD station (5-10 mins). Mature trees, good for families. You can find older, affordable homes here.
Westside	Residential, mix of older and newer homes. Near the high school.	$800 - $950	A 10-15 minute commute. Good school district if you have kids. More affordable than the newer subdivisions.
Northside / Downtown	Urban, walkable. Close to bars, restaurants, and the police station.	$750 - $900	The ultimate short commute—you can walk to work. The nightlife means you'll be policing your own backyard, which can be a pro or con.
Southwest (Newer Subdivisions)	Modern, family-oriented. Larger homes, new construction.	$1,000+ for a 1BR	A 15-20 minute commute. Safer, quieter, but more expensive. Ideal for senior officers with families.
Airport Area	Industrial, sparse residential.	$650 - $800	Insider Tip: This area is very close to the airport and many oil company offices. It's a quick commute and some of the cheapest rent, but it's less walkable and feels remote.

Insider Tip on Housing: The rental market is tight. Start your search at least 60 days before your move. Use local property management companies like Williston Property Management or Bakken Oil Express—they handle a lot of rentals. Avoid Craigslist for rentals; scams are common.

The Long Game: Career Growth

A career in Williston offers clear advancement paths, but with a smaller department, you need to be strategic.

• Specialty Premiums: WPD doesn't typically have large "premiums" for specialties like SWAT or K-9 (those are often smaller assignments). However, you can earn more by becoming a Field Training Officer (FTO), which comes with a small stipend. Detectives and Sergeants earn higher base pay through promotion.
• Advancement Paths:
  • Patrol → FTO → Sergeant: The most common path. It requires strong performance evaluations and leadership skills.
  • Patrol → Detective: This is a competitive assignment. You need to show investigative aptitude on patrol. It's a lateral move with a pay increase.
  • Patrol → Specialized Units: The WPD may have small units for traffic, narcotics (in conjunction with state/county), or community policing. These are usually assignments for experienced officers.
• 10-Year Outlook (3% Growth): This slow growth means you won't see a massive expansion of the force. Promotions will be based on retirement and turnover. The key to advancement is specialization and education. Getting a degree in Criminal Justice or a related field will help you stand out for promotions. The nearby Williston State College offers relevant associate degrees and advanced training.

Insider Tip: Networking is everything in a city this size. Get to know the county sheriff, state troopers, and federal agents (DHS, FBI) who operate in the region. They often collaborate and can be valuable contacts for future opportunities.

The Verdict: Is Williston Right for You?

This isn't a decision to take lightly. The environment is unique, and the challenges are real.

Pros	Cons
Low Cost of Living: Your salary goes far, making homeownership accessible.	Isolation: You're 4-5 hours from a major city (Fargo, Bismarck). The landscape is flat and can feel vast.
Competitive Pay for the Region: The $73,336 median is strong for ND.	Economic Dependence: The job market is tied to oil. Another bust cycle could impact municipal budgets and hiring.
Professional Growth: You'll get experience in a dynamic, often high-call-volume environment.	Harsh Winters: Winters are long, dark, and severe. Patrol officers must be prepared for extreme cold and dangerous driving conditions.
Tight-Knit Community: You'll know the people you serve and protect. Community policing is effective here.	Limited Social Scene: The nightlife and entertainment options are limited compared to a large city.
Diverse Call Volume: You'll handle everything from mundane traffic stops to major drug investigations and industrial accidents.	Shift Work: Expect to work nights, weekends, and holidays. The 24/7 nature of policing is amplified in a small city.

Final Recommendation: Williston is an excellent choice for a self-reliant, resilient officer who is looking for financial stability and a sense of community. It's perfect for someone who wants to be a big fish in a small pond and is willing to embrace the unique challenges of the Bakken. If you're looking for a fast-track to a large metropolitan PD with hundreds of specialty units, this isn't it. But if you want a solid career where your work has a direct impact, Williston offers a compelling package.

FAQs

Q: I'm coming from a big city PD. Will my experience transfer?
A: Yes and no. Your tactical and investigative skills will transfer, but you'll need to adapt to a different pace. In a city of 30,000, you'll know the "regulars" and the community expectations are different. You'll also likely face a wider variety of calls with fewer immediate backup units. Be humble and willing to learn the local dynamics.

Q: What's the biggest difference between patrolling here and a coastal city?
A: The sheer geographic scale. You might respond to a call 30 miles outside the city limits in a rural area. The environment is also a major factor—extreme weather, industrial hazards (oil, agriculture), and the presence of transient oil field workers create a unique set of challenges.

Q: Are there opportunities for off-duty work?
A: Yes. The oil and gas industry, private security firms, and event security (like at the Williston Events Center) often hire off-duty police officers. This can significantly boost your income, but it's important to balance it with your primary role and manage fatigue.

Q: How important is it to have a four-wheel-drive vehicle?
A: Essential. Not a luxury. From October to April, roads can be icy, snow-packed, or muddy. A reliable AWD or 4WD vehicle is a safety necessity for your commute and for responding to calls effectively. Budget for this if you don't already have one.

Q: What's the biggest misconception about policing in Williston?
A: That it's "easy" or "slow." While the population is smaller, the call volume per officer is high, and the stakes are often high due to the industrial and