Unpaid Wage Cases in District of Columbia
In District of Columbia, the typical back pay per worker was $1,524, based on 351 cases from the U.S. Department of Labor. That is 165% more than the national figure of $576, the highest of 51 states.
- $1,524typical (median)
- $3,422average
- 351cases
- 1stof 51 states
What the Records Show for District of Columbia
Each public source on its own, with the typical amount, the middle half of all cases and the trend by year.
U.S. Department of Labor, per worker · 1994–2025
$1,524typical back pay per worker (median). Half of all cases were between $577 and $3,806.
- Cases
- 351
- Total paid
- $1.2 million
- Top 10% above
- $8,497
- All states
- $576
Typical amount by year 2025: $2,977 typical, 10 cases
$2K$4K$6KTap or drag across the chart to read a year. Years with at least 5 cases.
The same federal wage cases, counted per worker: each case's back wages divided by the number of workers owed.
U.S. Department of Labor · 1994–2025
$14,802typical back pay per case (median). Half of all cases were between $3,976 and $55,582.
- Cases
- 352
- Total paid
- $26.2 million
- Top 10% above
- $182,341
- All states
- $4,412
Typical amount by year 2025: $11,604 typical, 10 cases
$50K$100K$150KTap or drag across the chart to read a year. Years with at least 5 cases.
Back wages employers were found to owe their workers in federal wage-and-hour cases, per case.
These are cases the U.S. Department of Labor's Wage and Hour Division concluded, with the back wages it found employers owed. Cases handled only by a state labor agency or in a private lawsuit are not included.
In total, $1.2 million was recorded across 351 cases. One in ten was $8,497 or more.
Back Pay in District of Columbia by Industry
The industry the Department of Labor recorded for the employer, with the most cases first.
| Industry | Typical in District of Columbia | All states |
|---|---|---|
| Construction94 cases | $2,166 | $800 |
| Staffing, cleaning and other support services94 cases | $1,310 | $561 |
| Restaurants and hotels47 cases | $816 | $414 |
| Health care and social assistance33 cases | $1,068 | $415 |
| Professional and technical services27 cases | $3,734 | $1,219 |
| Transportation and warehousing14 cases | $942 | $913 |
| Retail7 cases | $1,838 | $575 |
| Manufacturing6 cases | $2,268 | $779 |
| Repair, personal and other services5 cases | $797 | $661 |
| Information and media5 cases | $1,563 | $674 |
7 more groups have too few cases in District of Columbia for a typical amount or fewer cases than those shown.
How District of Columbia Compares With Other States
Typical amount in every state from the same source. Across all states: $576.
- under $412
- $412–$457
- $457–$543
- $543–$743
- $743 and up
- 1District of Columbia$1,524
- 2New Jersey$1,115
- 3California$1,021
- 4Maryland$937
- 5Alaska$914
- 47Kentucky$352
- 48Maine$344
- 49North Dakota$336
- 50South Dakota$305
- 51West Virginia$278
All 51 states, ranked
- 1District of Columbia$1,524
- 2New Jersey$1,115
- 3California$1,021
- 4Maryland$937
- 5Alaska$914
- 6New York$904
- 7Massachusetts$855
- 8Hawaii$812
- 9Oregon$802
- 10Illinois$771
- 11Nevada$743
- 12Washington$741
- 13Arizona$702
- 14Virginia$701
- 15Delaware$694
- 16Connecticut$633
- 17Rhode Island$621
- 18Minnesota$590
- 19South Carolina$571
- 20Tennessee$566
- 21Texas$543
- 22Georgia$529
- 23Florida$527
- 24North Carolina$520
- 25Utah$514
- 26Ohio$505
- 27Wisconsin$501
- 28Michigan$500
- 29Indiana$467
- 30Idaho$464
- 31New Hampshire$457
- 32Colorado$451
- 33Oklahoma$450
- 34Kansas$444
- 35Mississippi$440
- 36Vermont$437
- 37Louisiana$429
- 38Pennsylvania$428
- 39Missouri$422
- 40Alabama$420
- 41New Mexico$412
- 42Wyoming$407
- 43Iowa$400
- 44Nebraska$399
- 45Montana$387
- 46Arkansas$383
- 47Kentucky$352
- 48Maine$344
- 49North Dakota$336
- 50South Dakota$305
- 51West Virginia$278
About These Numbers
Where the figures come from, how we counted, and how to use them.
- U.S. Department of Labor, per worker: The same federal wage cases, counted per worker: each case's back wages divided by the number of workers owed.
- U.S. Department of Labor: Back wages employers were found to owe their workers in federal wage-and-hour cases, per case.
- Typical is the median: half of the records are below it, half above. The average is the total divided by the number of records; a few very large amounts pull it up.
- Not adjusted for inflation. Each amount is counted in the year the source gives for it.
How the explorer counts, source by source
Download the full data set (CSV)
Public records as of October 15, 2026. You can use these figures; please link to this page. $1.5K is rounded on the map; the tables show exact amounts.
Questions About Unpaid Wage Cases in District of Columbia
Answers from the same records.
How much back pay do workers get in District of Columbia wage cases?
In 351 federal wage cases in District of Columbia from 1994 to 2025, the typical worker was owed $1,524 in back pay. For half of all cases, the amount per worker was between $577 and $3,806. Per case, for all workers of one employer together, the typical amount was $14,802.
Which industries have the most wage cases in District of Columbia?
Construction (94, typical $2,166); Staffing, cleaning and other support services (94, typical $1,310); Restaurants and hotels (47, typical $816). The industry is the one the agency recorded for the employer.
How does District of Columbia compare with other states?
District of Columbia ranks highest of 51 states for the typical amount. Across all states it was $576, so District of Columbia is 165% higher.
Have amounts in District of Columbia changed over time?
In 2025, the typical amount was $2,977 (10 cases), compared with $1,009 in 2015. Amounts are not adjusted for inflation.
What is not included in these numbers?
These are cases the U.S. Department of Labor's Wage and Hour Division concluded, with the back wages it found employers owed. Cases handled only by a state labor agency or in a private lawsuit are not included.
More Records for District of Columbia
Other kinds of cases in this state, a calculator for your own case, and the studies behind the numbers.