Family
The lignite industry is North Dakota’s fifth largest industry behind agriculture, oil and gas, tourism and manufacturing.
Electricity
The lignite industry (coal mining and coal conversion) accounted for $5.4 billion of the state's economic base in 2019.

Man with truck parked behind him in the background.
The lignite industry directly employs 3,623 people in North Dakota.
Engineers
There are 9,500 indirect employees in the lignite industry in North Dakota.

Average Wages 2020
The lignite counties of McLean, Mercer and Oliver have some of the highest wages per job in North Dakota.

1. Oliver County $81,136
5. Mercer County $70,364
7. McLean County $63,494

The average wage in North Dakota in 2020 was $55,461.

Source:  ND Job Service, 2019 Average Annual Wage by County

Recent News

April 27th, 2020

Annual Report

February 8th, 2024

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The Lignite Energy Council proudly announces Women in STEM Week, a celebration highlighting the remarkable contributions of women in the […]
February 1st, 2024

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New Poll Reveals Surging Support for Carbon Capture and N.D. Coal Industry

For more information: Kay LaCoe – Vice President of Marketing & Communications O: 701.355.2194 | C: 701.400.6757 kay.lacoe@lignite.com FOR IMMEDIATE […]