Employment declined 0.6 percent in Cass, the only large county in North Dakota, from March 2025 to March 2026, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. North Dakota employment decreased 0.5 percent over the year to 420,700 in March 2026, as measured by the Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages (QCEW) program. (see table 1.) Assistant Commissioner for Regional Operations Michael Hirniak noted that the rate of employment growth in Cass ranked 240th among the 371 largest U.S. counties with published data.

Employment in Cass stood at 126,700 in March 2026, accounting for 30.1 percent of total employment in North Dakota. Nationwide, the 376 largest counties comprise 73.5 percent of total covered employment in the United States. (Large counties and county equivalents are those with annual average employment levels of 75,000 or more in 2025.)

The average weekly wage in Cass increased 3.1 percent over the year to $1,376. The national average was $1,654, up 3.9 percent over the year. Cass’s weekly wage ranked 189th nationally, and the percent change ranked 216th among the largest U.S. counties.

Statewide, average weekly wages increased 2.4 percent over the year to $1,333. North Dakota ranked 33rd in average weekly wages among the 50 states and the District of Columbia and 49th in wage growth.

Employment and wage levels (but not over-the-year changes) are also available for the 52 smaller counties in North Dakota, defined as having employment below 75,000 in 2025. (See table 2.)  Wage levels in 47 of the 52 smaller counties were below the national average. Dunn reported the highest average weekly wage ($2,002) in the state. Logan reported the lowest average weekly wage ($773).

Among all 53 North Dakota counties, 10 reported average weekly wages less than $975, 20 had wages from $975 to $1,099, 9 had wages from $1,100 to $1,224, and 14 had average weekly wages of $1,225 or higher. (See map 1 and table 2.)