North Carolina Minimum Wage in 2026: $7.25 an Hour
North Carolina pays the federal minimum wage of $7.25 an hour. Full time that is $15,080 a year before tax.
North Carolina minimum wage at a glance
| Minimum wage | $7.25 an hour |
|---|---|
| Next change | None announced |
| Tipped cash wage | $2.13 an hour |
| Overtime rate | $10.88 an hour |
| Federal minimum | $7.25 an hour |
State law follows the federal minimum wage.
What $7.25 an hour pays
| A week (40 hours) | $290 |
|---|---|
| A 50-hour week with overtime | $398.75 |
| A month | $1,257 |
| A year | $15,080 |
| Take-home a year (single) | $13,833 |
North Carolina and its neighbors
| State | Minimum wage | Full time, a year |
|---|---|---|
| North Carolina | $7.25 | $15,080 |
| Virginia | $12.77 | $26,562 |
| Georgia | $7.25 | $15,080 |
| South Carolina | $7.25 | $15,080 |
| Tennessee | $7.25 | $15,080 |
For employers in North Carolina
- Pay at least $7.25 an hour; a higher city or county rate applies where it exists.
- Overtime: time and a half after 40 hours in a workweek.
- A full-time hire at $7.25 an hour costs more than $15,080 once payroll taxes and insurance are added. Employee cost calculator →
Source: www.labor.nc.gov, checked October 12, 2026. General information, not legal advice.
Minimum wage in other states
Alabama
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District of Columbia
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Rhode Island
South Carolina
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Tennessee
Texas
Utah
Vermont
Virginia
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the minimum wage in North Carolina in 2026?
$7.25 an hour, the federal minimum wage, because North Carolina has no higher state rate. State law follows the federal minimum wage.
How much is the North Carolina minimum wage a year?
$15,080 a year for 40 hours a week, 52 weeks: $1,257 a month or $290 a week before tax. After federal and state taxes a single filer takes home about $13,833 a year.
Is the North Carolina minimum wage going up?
No increase has been announced yet. It would take a change in state law or in the federal minimum wage.
What is overtime pay at minimum wage in North Carolina?
$10.88 an hour (time and a half) for hours over 40 in a workweek. A 50-hour week at minimum wage pays $398.75.
What is the tipped minimum wage in North Carolina?
Employers may pay tipped workers a cash wage of $2.13 an hour if tips bring them up to $7.25; if not, the employer must pay the difference.
Which neighboring states pay more than North Carolina?
Virginia ($12.77).
Do cities in North Carolina have a higher minimum wage?
Not that we list. If your city or county sets its own minimum wage, the higher rate applies where the work is done.
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