North Carolina minimum wage 2026–2027: $7.25 now
North Carolina's minimum wage is the same as the federal rate: $7.25 an hour, unchanged since July 24, 2009. No increase is scheduled. The rate will stay at $7.25 unless Congress raises the federal minimum wage or the state passes its own.
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North Carolina minimum wage pay calculator
North Carolina minimum wage rates
| Who | Rate | From | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Federal minimum wage | $7.25 | July 24, 2009 | official |
| Tipped workers (cash wage) | $2.13 | now | official |
When does the North Carolina minimum wage go up?
No increase is scheduled. The rate will stay at $7.25 unless Congress raises the federal minimum wage or the state passes its own.
Tipped workers in North Carolina
Employers may pay tipped workers a cash wage of $2.13 an hour and count up to $5.12 of tips toward the minimum wage, as long as wages plus tips reach $7.25 for every hour; otherwise the employer pays the difference.
North Carolina minimum wage history
The rate has not changed since at least 2020: $7.25 (the state follows the federal minimum wage).
| January 1 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 | 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| North Carolina | $7.25 | $7.25 | $7.25 | $7.25 | $7.25 | $7.25 | $7.25 |
How North Carolina compares
North Carolina ranks tied 32th with 19 others of the 50 states and D.C. The average statewide minimum wage is $11.53; North Carolina's $7.25 is $4.28 below it. Neighbors: Georgia $7.25, South Carolina $7.25, Tennessee $7.25, Virginia $12.77.
Overtime and pay rules
Overtime: Over 40 hours a week (45 in seasonal amusement or recreation), at one and a half times the regular rate. A full-time week at the minimum wage pays $290.00; with 5 overtime hours it is $344.38.
Where to get help
North Carolina has no state agency enforcing a minimum wage. Unpaid minimum wage or overtime is reported to the U.S. Department of Labor, Wage and Hour Division (no state minimum wage enforcement). The U.S. Department of Labor's Wage and Hour Division takes complaints in every state at 1-866-487-9243, and your name is kept confidential.
North Carolina minimum wage questions
What is the minimum wage in North Carolina right now?
$7.25 an hour for most adult workers. North Carolina's minimum wage is the same as the federal rate: $7.25 an hour, unchanged since July 24, 2009.
What will the North Carolina minimum wage be in 2027?
It stays at $7.25 – no change is scheduled for 2027.
What is the tipped minimum wage in North Carolina?
Employers may pay tipped workers a cash wage of $2.13 an hour and count up to $5.12 of tips toward the minimum wage, as long as wages plus tips reach $7.25 for every hour; otherwise the employer pays the difference.
How much is the North Carolina minimum wage per year?
At $7.25 an hour and 40 hours a week, $290.00 a week, about $1,257 a month and $15,080 a year before taxes.
Where do I report unpaid minimum wage in North Carolina?
North Carolina has no state agency that enforces a minimum wage, so file with the U.S. Department of Labor, Wage and Hour Division (no state minimum wage enforcement) – or with the U.S. Department of Labor's Wage and Hour Division (1-866-487-9243). Keep your pay stubs and a record of your hours.
Other states
Sources: U.S. Department of Labor, Wage and Hour Division – State Minimum Wage Laws, Consolidated Minimum Wage Table and Minimum Wages for Tipped Employees (July 1, 2026 editions), the DOL's history table, and each state's and city's own labor department pages, linked on every state page. Checked October 16, 2026. Rates are for most adult, non-exempt workers; some jobs, industries and employers are exempt or have other rates. This is general information, not legal advice – the state labor department has the final word.