North Carolina Minimum Wage (2026)
Built & reviewed by Nandu Kannan · Overtime rules cited to primary statutes
North Carolina's minimum wage is $7.25 an hour in 2026. North Carolina matches the federal minimum at $7.25.
North Carolina minimum-wage pay calculator
Pre-set to North Carolina's $7.25 minimum. Change the hours, add overtime, and see weekly, monthly and annual gross pay update instantly.
Gross pay before taxes, at North Carolina's minimum wage. Overtime at 1.5× the regular rate (federal FLSA); some states add daily overtime — see the state overtime calculator. Not payroll advice.
Tipped minimum wage in North Carolina
The tipped minimum cash wage in North Carolina is $2.13 an hour in 2026. Employers may claim a tip credit of up to $5.12 an hour against the full $7.25 minimum.
How the tip credit works: the employer pays the cash wage, and your tips count toward the minimum. If your cash wage plus tips don't add up to the full $7.25 for every hour worked, your employer must make up the difference.
Tipped rates as of January 2026, from the U.S. Department of Labor — Minimum Wages for Tipped Employees. Local and industry rules can differ and rates change — verify with your state labor office before relying on these figures.
When will North Carolina's minimum wage go up?
North Carolina has no scheduled minimum-wage increase. North Carolina has no scheduled increase. It matches the federal $7.25 and is not indexed to inflation, so a raise would require new state or federal law.
Want to see the next change in every state? See our 2026–2027 minimum wage increases by state.
Scheduled increases verified as of June 2026, from the U.S. Department of Labor and the EPI Minimum Wage Tracker. Future inflation-indexed rates are set by the state later and are not predicted here. Dates and amounts can change — verify with your state labor office before relying on them.
North Carolina minimum wage vs. the federal minimum
The federal minimum wage is $7.25 an hour. North Carolina's effective minimum is $7.25 , so most workers here are covered by the federal floor.
Minimum-wage pay & overtime
At $7.25 an hour, overtime (1.5×) is $10.88 per hour. 1.5× after 40 hours in a workweek. No daily overtime. Run your own numbers with the North Carolina overtime calculator or convert it to a yearly figure with the salary to hourly calculator.
Frequently asked questions
What is the minimum wage in North Carolina in 2026?
The minimum wage in North Carolina is $7.25 per hour as of 2026. North Carolina matches the federal minimum at $7.25.
How much is North Carolina's minimum wage per year?
At $7.25 an hour, full-time (40 hours a week, 52 weeks) is about $15,080 a year before taxes, or $290 a week.
Is North Carolina's minimum wage higher than the federal minimum?
No. North Carolina effectively follows the federal minimum of $7.25. North Carolina matches the federal minimum at $7.25.
What is overtime pay on North Carolina's minimum wage?
Overtime is 1.5× your regular rate, so a minimum-wage worker at $7.25 earns $10.88 per overtime hour. 1.5× after 40 hours in a workweek. No daily overtime.
What is the tipped minimum wage in North Carolina?
The tipped minimum cash wage in North Carolina is $2.13 an hour in 2026. Employers may claim a tip credit of up to $5.12 an hour, but the cash wage plus tips must still reach the full $7.25 minimum — if it falls short, the employer must make up the difference.
Do tipped workers get full minimum wage in North Carolina?
Not always in direct cash. North Carolina lets employers pay a lower cash wage of $2.13 and count tips toward the minimum (a "tip credit"). But your cash wage plus tips must add up to at least the full $7.25 minimum for every hour — if it doesn't, your employer must pay the difference.
When does North Carolina's minimum wage increase?
North Carolina has no scheduled minimum-wage increase. North Carolina has no scheduled increase. It matches the federal $7.25 and is not indexed to inflation, so a raise would require new state or federal law.
What will North Carolina's minimum wage be in 2027?
Under current law North Carolina's minimum wage is expected to be about $7.25 an hour in 2027, unchanged from 2026, because there is no inflation indexing beyond any already-scheduled step. North Carolina has no scheduled increase. It matches the federal $7.25 and is not indexed to inflation, so a raise would require new state or federal law.
Rate as of January 2026, from the U.S. Department of Labor. Cities and counties may set higher local minimums, and rates change — confirm with your state labor office. General information, not legal or payroll advice.
Related
What's a minimum-wage paycheck after taxes in North Carolina?
Minimum wage by state · North Carolina overtime · Overtime by state · Salary to Hourly
States with a similar minimum wage
Alabama — $7.25 · Georgia — $7.25 · Idaho — $7.25 · Indiana — $7.25 · Iowa — $7.25