Unpaid Wage Cases in North Dakota
In North Dakota, the typical back pay per worker was $336, based on 317 cases from the U.S. Department of Labor. That is 42% less than the national figure of $576, the 49th highest of 51 states.
- $336typical (median)
- $1,307average
- 317cases
- 49thof 51 states
What the Records Show for North Dakota
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 · 2002–2026
$336typical back pay per worker (median). Half of all cases were between $120 and $1,272.
- Cases
- 317
- Total paid
- $414,217
- Top 10% above
- $3,504
- All states
- $576
Typical amount by year 2023: $3,267 typical, 6 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 · 2002–2026
$2,545typical back pay per case (median). Half of all cases were between $675 and $9,087.
- Cases
- 317
- Total paid
- $6.3 million
- Top 10% above
- $37,442
- All states
- $4,412
Typical amount by year 2023: $42,473 typical, 6 cases
$20K$40K$60KTap 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, $414,217 was recorded across 317 cases. One in ten was $3,504 or more.
Back Pay in North Dakota by Industry
The industry the Department of Labor recorded for the employer, with the most cases first.
| Industry | Typical in North Dakota | All states |
|---|---|---|
| Restaurants and hotels83 cases | $147 | $414 |
| Construction43 cases | $339 | $800 |
| Agriculture40 cases | $580 | $303 |
| Health care and social assistance27 cases | $250 | $415 |
| Retail22 cases | $208 | $575 |
| Transportation and warehousing22 cases | $2,241 | $913 |
| Mining, oil and gas16 cases | $1,868 | $1,076 |
| Staffing, cleaning and other support services13 cases | $446 | $561 |
| Manufacturing13 cases | $277 | $779 |
| Repair, personal and other services8 cases | $596 | $661 |
8 more groups have too few cases in North Dakota for a typical amount or fewer cases than those shown.
How North Dakota 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. $336 is rounded on the map; the tables show exact amounts.
Questions About Unpaid Wage Cases in North Dakota
Answers from the same records.
How much back pay do workers get in North Dakota wage cases?
In 317 federal wage cases in North Dakota from 2002 to 2026, the typical worker was owed $336 in back pay. For half of all cases, the amount per worker was between $120 and $1,272. Per case, for all workers of one employer together, the typical amount was $2,545.
Which industries have the most wage cases in North Dakota?
Restaurants and hotels (83, typical $147); Construction (43, typical $339); Agriculture (40, typical $580). The industry is the one the agency recorded for the employer.
How does North Dakota compare with other states?
North Dakota ranks 49th highest of 51 states for the typical amount. Across all states it was $576, so North Dakota is 42% lower.
Have amounts in North Dakota changed over time?
In 2023, the typical amount was $3,267 (6 cases), compared with $1,060 in 2013. 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 North Dakota
Other kinds of cases in this state, a calculator for your own case, and the studies behind the numbers.