Is it legal to lower the minimum wage in North Dakota?

Every U.S. state, including North Dakota, can generally lower its minimum wage, but stipulations apply.The U.S. government last raised the federal minimum wage to $7.25 in 2009. States may adopt a lower minimum wage on paper, or decline to set a separate state minimum wage at all, but in practice most workers must still be paid at least the federal minimum wage, barring limited exemptions. As of January 2026, several states have no separate minimum wage or list one below the federal level.North Dakota’s minimum wage is set at $7.25 per hour under state law, matching the federal minimum. Because it is established in statute, any change would require action by the Legislature and governor. However, the state cannot require most covered workers to be paid less than the federal minimum.