March 7, 2002

North Dakota Wages Increase, But Lag National Growth

Between 1999 and 2000, average wage per job in North Dakota rose 4 percent, from $23,372 to $24,308, according to the latest Population Bulletin released from the North Dakota State Data Center at North Dakota State University.

Average wage per job grew faster than inflation, which increased by 3.4 percent between 1999 and 2000. Unfortunately, North Dakota salaries lag behind the national average by approximately 30 percent, said Richard Rathge, director of the State Data Center. "The rise in wages reflects an overall healthy economy during this period, both statewide and nationally. All economic sectors, with the exception of construction, showed sizeable gains in earnings which translates into wages,"

Average wages per job in the United States increased 5.9 percent, from $32,718 to $34,652 between 1999 and 2000, while in Minnesota they rose 5.8 percent to $34,561, in Montana 4.0 percent to $23,954, and in South Dakota 4.6 percent to $24,260.

Oliver County had the highest average wage per job in North Dakota in 2000, $40,280. Mercer came second at $35,028 and Sargent County was third at $33,468.

North Dakota counties with the lowest average wage per job in 2000 were Logan with $15,663, Divide with $15,973, and Billings with $16,552.

The average wage per job in metropolitan areas of North Dakota - Bismarck, Fargo-Moorhead, Grand Forks - was $26,052. The average in non-metropolitan areas: $22,311.

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Source: Richard Rathge, (701) 231-8621, richard_rathge@ndsu.nodak.edu
Editor: Tom Jirik, (701) 231-9629, tjirik@ndsuext.nodak.edu

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