Nouha Dicko made the breakthrough for Kenny Jackett's side after 48 minute before an embarrassing own-goal from goalkeeper Lee Grant sealed Derby's fate.
Wolves captain Danny Batth was fortunate to escape a red card for a first-half foul on Derby striker Darren Bent and they rubbed salt into the wounds by extending their opponents' winless run to six matches.
Jackett's men are now outside the play-off places on goal difference only, and sit just two points behind Steve McClaren's stuttering Derby.
Tomasz Kuszczak saved well from Ince and Jesse Lingard as County started to establish control of the contest, and the Wolves goalkeeper was involved in a pivotal moment five minutes before half-time.
The ex-England boss would have felt a heightened sense of injustice when Craig Forsyth carelessly gave away possession to Kevin McDonald and midfielder fed Dicko to drive home left-footed.
And Wolves' crucial second arrived in bizarre fashion midway through the second half as Forsyth sliced a clearance high into the air and Grant misjudged the spinning ball, punching into his own net.
