Payroll Cost per Employee in North Dakota
2026 estimates — total employer cost including taxes and benefits
Min wage in North Dakota: $7.25–$15.00/hr (check current state rate) | SUTA: ~2.3% on wages (varies)
Calculate Total Payroll Cost in North Dakota
Payroll Tax Breakdown — North Dakota 2026
| Tax / Cost | Rate / Rule | Annual Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Base salary | Per agreement | $49,500 |
| Social Security (employer) | 6.2% on first $168,600 | $3,069 |
| Medicare (employer) | 1.45% of all wages | $718 |
| FUTA (federal unemployment) | 0.6% on first $7,000 | $42 |
| North Dakota SUTA | ~2.3% on wages (varies) | $375 |
| Benefits (health, 401k, etc) | ~18% of salary (typical) | $8,910 |
| Total Employer Cost | $62,992 | |
Based on $49,500 median salary in North Dakota. SUTA rate shown is approximate average — actual rate depends on claims history. Additional: State-specific payroll taxes — verify with your state labor department.
Payroll Requirements in North Dakota
1. North Dakota Payroll Tax & Compliance Overview
North Dakota payroll costs are below the national average. Key employer requirements: state income tax withholding (Low or none), state unemployment insurance (SUTA: ~2.3% on wages (varies)), plus the standard federal obligations (FICA 7.65%, FUTA up to $420/employee). State-specific payroll taxes — verify with your state labor department.
2. Top Tips for North Dakota Employers
North Dakota employers: use payroll software like Gusto, QuickBooks Payroll, or Rippling to automate state-specific tax calculations. These typically cost $40–$150/month for small businesses — far less than the penalty risk of manual payroll errors. Set up pay-as-you-go workers' comp tied to each payroll run to eliminate audit surprises.
3. Key North Dakota Payroll Facts
- Minimum wage: $7.25–$15.00/hr (check current state rate)
- State income tax: Low or none
- State unemployment (SUTA): ~2.3% on wages (varies)
- Additional: State-specific payroll taxes — verify with your state labor department
Run North Dakota Payroll Automatically
Automated payroll software handles North Dakota tax calculations, filings, and W-2s for $40–$150/month.
Payroll Software Cost Comparison — North Dakota 2026
At $5,249/month total employer cost, automating payroll for $49,500 median salary employees costs 27% above base salary. Software adds just 0.1–0.3% but eliminates costly compliance errors.
| Software | Base Price | Per Employee |
|---|---|---|
| Gusto Top pick | $46/mo | +$6/emp/mo |
| QuickBooks Payroll Core | $45/mo | +$6/emp/mo |
| ADP Run Essentials | ~$65/mo | +$4/emp/mo |
| Rippling | $35/mo | +$8/emp/mo |
Prices as of 2026. All four platforms handle North Dakota state tax filings automatically. 10-employee team example: Gusto = $106/mo, QuickBooks = $105/mo, ADP ≈ $105/mo, Rippling = $115/mo.
Frequently Asked Questions
North Dakota Payroll Summary
- →Avg salary: $49,500/yr
- →Total cost: $62,992/yr
- →Overhead rate: ~27% above salary
- →Min wage: $7.25–$15.00/hr (check current state rate)
- →State income tax: Low or none