North Dakota MINIMUM WAGES

North Dakota State Minimum Wage for 2025

Effective from January 1, 2024, the North Dakota minimum wage is $7.25 for non-tipped employees and $4.36 for tipped employees. These rates have remained constant since 2018 and align with the federal rates. 

Like 15 other states, North Dakota follows the federal law, ensuring that employees receive overtime pay of 1.5 times their regular pay for working beyond 40 hours per week. 

In the next section, let’s examine the city-wise rate applicable to the top 30 cities of the Peace Garden State. 

Minimum Wages in North Dakota Cities

Unlike other states, North Dakota has a uniform minimum wage rate that is applicable throughout the state. Here is a breakdown of the tipped and non-tipped minimum wages for the top 30 cities: 

In the next section, let’s discuss the exempt salary threshold applicable across the state. 

Threshold For Employees Exempt

Before discussing the minimum salary threshold for exempt employees, understanding the clear differences between exempt and non-exempt employees is essential. 

• Non-exempt Employees are directly dependent on the minimum wage applicable across the state and eligible to avail themselves of overtime benefits. For working beyond 40 hours per week, they will receive overtime pay of 1.5 times the regular pay. 
• Exempt Employees are salaried individuals who don’t directly rely on the minimum wage rates and are ineligible to avail themselves of overtime benefits. 

Now, let’s discuss the minimum salary threshold for exempt employees. 

According to the latest Department of Labor (DOL) circular, the minimum salary threshold for exempt employees has been increased from $684 per week to $844 per week, which is equivalent of $43,888 per year.  

Employers who fail to meet their threshold will lose their exempt status for these employees, making them eligible for overtime pay. 

In the next section, let’s discuss the historical context of the minimum wage changes prevalent in the state. 

Historical Data of North Dakota Minimum Wages 

While North Dakota’s minimum wages have remained stable since 2018, certain changes have occurred in the past decade. 

Here’s a table summarizing the changes in the minimum wages of North Dakota from1963 to 2023: 

* – Under the FLSA, the two rates shown in 1968, 1970, and 1976 reflect the former multiple-track minimum wage system in effect from 1961 to 1978.

Source: https://www.dol.gov/agencies/whd/state/minimum-wage/history

Exemptions in Minimum Wages of North Dakota 

Certain categories of employees are exempt from the minimum wage requirements in North Dakota. These include: 

• Executives, administrators, and professionals in bona fide positions. 
• Employees engaged in agricultural activities. 
• Employees spending more than 51% of their work time in direct care to shelters, foster care, and related establishments. 
• Individuals working in family businesses. 
• Commissioned salesperson of retail automobile, trailer, boat, or aircraft.