RV Service Technician Career Assessment
Fixing campers, motorhomes, and travel trailers
Welcome
RV service technicians inspect and repair campers, motorhomes, and travel trailers.
North Dakotans love lake weekends and camping. You will explore whether this hands-on job fits you.
This takes about 15 minutes.
What is a RV Service Technician?
An RV (recreational vehicle) technician fixes all the systems in a camper: propane, electrical, plumbing, appliances like furnaces and fridges, generators, slide-outs, and the body. It is like being a mechanic, electrician, and plumber in one.
The Reality: Spring and summer are very busy. Fall means winterizing campers before the cold. You may work outside or in cold shops, on roofs, and under trailers. There are not many of these jobs in ND.
Your Responsibilities:
- Inspect RVs before sale
- Fix propane systems and appliances
- Repair wiring and batteries
- Fix water lines and tanks
- Repair slide-outs and awnings
- Fix roofs and leaks
- Winterize and de-winterize campers
- Explain repairs to customers
You help families get out and enjoy summer.
A Day in the Life
8:00 AM — May morning at an RV dealer. Five campers are waiting for spring service.
8:30 AM — De-winterize a travel trailer. Flush the lines and check for leaks.
10:00 AM — A fridge will not cool on propane. Test and fix the burner.
12:00 PM — Lunch.
12:30 PM — A slide-out is stuck. Find a bad motor and replace it.
2:30 PM — Climb on a roof. Reseal around a vent to stop a leak.
4:00 PM — Do a full inspection on a new camper before a customer picks it up.
5:00 PM — Write up your repair notes.
Varied, hands-on problem solving on many different systems.
Training in North Dakota
No license required, but certification helps. North Dakota does not have an RV technician college program. Most techs learn on the job and earn national RV Technical Institute (RVTI) certification, which can be done online.
Training Pathways:
- RVTI online training (a few months): Level 1 and Level 2 can be done online at your own pace.
- On-the-job training: Start as a helper or lot porter at an RV dealer and learn from experienced techs.
- Related college program: An automotive or diesel degree builds skills that carry over.
Where to Train in North Dakota:
- RV Technical Institute (rvti.org) — Level 1 and Level 2 online; in-person training is in Elkhart, Indiana
- ND State College of Science (Wahpeton) — Automotive Technology, AAS (a related path, not RV-specific)
- Bismarck State College (Bismarck) — Automotive Technology or Diesel Technology (related paths, not RV-specific)
- ND RV dealers — on-the-job training for helpers
Before You Start: High school diploma or GED helps. Mechanical skills. A driver's license to move RVs around the lot.
Tip: Start with financial aid, scholarships, and any help an employer offers — that is where the money starts. After that, ask a career counselor or Job Service North Dakota whether WIOA or other programs can help with what is left over, like training, tools, work boots, or exam fees. What can be paid for depends on the program and on your own situation, so ask before you sign up rather than after. Registered apprenticeships let you earn a paycheck while you learn — see jobsnd.com/job-seeker/apprenticeships for ND programs.
Certification & Licensing
RVTI certification is the industry standard. North Dakota does not license RV technicians. The RV Technical Institute (RVTI) offers the national certification most dealers look for.
RVTI Certification Levels:
- Level 1 (Inspection) — about 32 hours online or 1 week in person; no prerequisites; never expires
- Level 2 (Diagnostic and Repair) — about 120 hours online, hybrid, or 3 weeks in person; must have Level 1
- Level 3 (Specialty) — electrical, chassis, electronics, appliance, or slide-out
- Level 4 (Master Technician) — all five specialties
The Exams: Each level has a certification exam.
Cost: An RVTI yearly subscription is $663 and includes Level 1 and Level 2 training and one try at each exam. Scholarships are available, and some dealers pay.
Keeping It Current: Level 1 never expires. Levels 2–4 renew every 5 years with 24 hours of continuing education.
Salary & Job Outlook
North Dakota Recreational Vehicle Service Technician Pay (May 2025):
- Starting out (bottom 10–25%): $19.56–$23.91/hour ($40,680–$49,720/year)
- Middle (median — half earn more, half earn less): $24.23/hour ($50,390/year)
- Experienced (top 25–10%): $29.16–$30.30/hour ($60,660–$63,030/year)
What that means: ND pay is close to the national median. Certified techs earn more. Some shops pay by the job (flat rate).
Jobs in North Dakota: About 80 people do this work in ND today. By 2034, that should be about 90 (about 16% growth). Expect about 10 job openings every year in ND from growth and people retiring or changing jobs. Across the U.S., the change is about 12% growth — much faster than average.
Outlook: Growing, but very small. Only about 10 openings a year in ND. You may need to be flexible about where you live.
Who Hires in ND: RV dealers, RV repair shops, mobile RV repair businesses, and campgrounds.
Work Setting: Service shops and outdoor lots. Busy in spring and summer. Cold shops in winter.
Physical Demands: High. Climbing on roofs, crawling under trailers, lifting, and working in tight spaces.
Sources: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, North Dakota, May 2025 (SOC 49-3092); North Dakota and U.S. long-term employment projections 2024–2034, via O*NET OnLine. Numbers are rounded.
Where This Leads
Path 1: Certified RV Technician — Work on your own.
Path 2: Master RV Technician — Handle the hardest repairs.
Path 3: Service Manager — Run the service department.
Path 4: Mobile RV Repair Owner — Start your own business.
Path 5: Service Writer — Work with customers.
Path 6: Warranty Specialist — Handle warranty claims.
The Real Talk
What's Great:
- Every day is different
- Learn many skills
- Fast, online certification
- Can start your own business
- Help families enjoy summer
- Growing field
What's Hard:
- Very few ND openings
- Seasonal rush
- Slower winter months
- Physical work on roofs
- Must know many systems
- Pay lower than some trades
Be Honest: Are you OK with a small job market? Can you handle a busy summer and slower winter? Do you like learning many different systems?