Midfielder Seyi George Olofinjana and Michael Kightly made the most of the few openings that came the visitors' way, while Derby were twice frustrated by the woodwork.
The excellent David Jones clicked the bar with a first-half free-kick and Steve Howard struck a post minutes before Wolves went in front.
Jon Stead also missed a good chance for the home side, but Wolves shaded the possession and got their reward for a disciplined away performance.
The first half was a tactical stalemate with the midfields cancelling each other out although Derby carried the biggest threat up front.
Howard thumped a 20-yard shot just wide in the 27th minute after Jones had a 20-yard free kick deflected off the defensive wall and on to the crossbar.
The closest Wolves came was when Michael McIndoe played a clever ball into Leon Clarke from the left, but Stephen Bywater just beat the striker to the ball.
There was a more open feel about the game in the second half and Derby almost went in front when Stead put Matt Oakley in on the left and his low cross was met by Howard, whose shot came back off Matt Murray's right-hand post.
Bob Malcolm had the dubious privilege of being booked while warming up on the touchline when he tried to stop Wolves taking a quick throw and there was more frustration for the home side when Howard found Stead with a neat flick, but the striker's shot on the turn went wide from ten yards.
Just when it seemed Derby might be taking control Wolves went in front.
McIndoe pushed a free-kick to his right and Mark Little crossed to the back post where Olofinjana directed a downward header across Bywater and inside the left-hand post.
The 2,400 Wolves following behind the goal celebrated and Derby probably realised it was not going to be their day when Stead twice had snap-shots saved by Murray.
The ball was not quite running for Derby, but Wolves continued to keep their strength and with the Rams committed to attack they settled the contest in the third minute of stoppage time.
They broke quickly down the Derby left where Kightly outpaced Michael Johnson before lobbing Bywater to put the gloss on an impressive performance.
The attendance of 31,920 was the biggest at Pride Park since March 2004 and the fans were given another reminder that there is still a lot of hard work to be done in a very open division.