North Carolina Minimum Wage 2026
$7.25
per hour (federal minimum) since July 24, 2009
North Carolina's minimum wage is $7.25 an hour, the same as the federal minimum wage. No increase to the North Carolina minimum wage is scheduled for 2027.
Reviewed by Slava Akulov, CEO & Co-Founder at Jupid · Last updated: October 2026
Up to 40. Hours over 40 in a workweek go in the overtime field.
Paid at 1.5 times the rate ($10.88 an hour).
Weekly
$290
Monthly (average)
$1,257
Annual
$15,080
Gross pay before taxes. For take-home pay after federal, state and payroll taxes, use the North Carolina hourly paycheck calculator.
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North Carolina Minimum Wage at a Glance
2026 minimum wage
$7.25
Since July 24, 2009
Tipped cash wage
$2.13
Tip credit up to $5.12
Next change
None scheduled
No law scheduled
Overtime
Weekly
1.5 times the regular rate
North Carolina law sets $6.15 or the federal rate, whichever is higher, so $7.25 applies. Farm and domestic workers fall under the federal minimum wage.
Local Minimum Wages in North Carolina
State law preempts local ordinances that set wage levels for private employers.
Tipped Minimum Wage in North Carolina
Employers in North Carolina can pay tipped employees a cash wage of $2.13 an hour and count up to $5.12 an hour of tips toward the $7.25 minimum. If tips fall short, the employer makes up the difference. Employers can take the tip credit only if employees are told in advance, keep all their tips and certify their tips monthly or each pay period. Tip pooling may not take more than 15% of an employee's tips.
Cash wage
$2.13
Maximum tip credit
$5.12
Cash wage plus tips must reach
$7.25
Other North Carolina Minimum Wage Rates
- Full-time students, learners and apprentices: $6.50. 90% of the minimum wage, only for employers covered by state law rather than the federal FLSA
Overtime Rules in North Carolina
Overtime is due after 40 hours in a workweek, or after 45 hours in seasonal amusement and recreation businesses. Overtime is paid at 1.5 times the regular rate, so at the $7.25 minimum an overtime hour pays at least $10.88. To work out overtime on any hourly rate, use the overtime pay calculator.
North Carolina Minimum Wage History
| Effective | Hourly rate |
|---|---|
| July 24, 2009 (current) | $7.25 |
| July 24, 2008 | $6.55 |
| July 24, 2007 | $5.85 |
North Carolina Minimum Wage in 2027
No increase to the North Carolina minimum wage is scheduled for 2027. No scheduled increase; the state rate moves only if the federal rate rises.
North Carolina Minimum Wage FAQ
More Pay Tools for North Carolina
North Carolina Hourly Paycheck Calculator
Take-home pay for hourly work, with overtime and taxes.
North Carolina Paycheck Calculator
Salary take-home pay after federal and state taxes.
Overtime Pay Calculator
Time-and-a-half and double-time pay for any rate.
Employee Cost Calculator
What an hourly hire costs with payroll taxes added.
Minimum Wage in Other States
State minimum wages range from the federal $7.25 to $18.40 an hour in 2026. Pick a state to see its rate, tipped wage and 2027 change.
Official References
- North Carolina Department of Labor, Wage and Hour Bureau
- G.S. 95-25.3 (minimum wage; tip credit; student rate)
- G.S. 95-25.1 (local preemption)
- DOL federal minimum wage history chart
- U.S. Department of Labor: State Minimum Wage Laws
- U.S. Department of Labor: Minimum Wages for Tipped Employees
Rates verified against the sources above on October 30, 2026. The calculator shows gross pay only. Industry rates, exemptions and local ordinances can change during the year; check the agency page before setting pay. This page is general information, not legal advice.
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