North Carolina's Minimum Wage in 2026
The minimum wage in North Carolina is $7.25 an hour, the same as the federal minimum wage. No increase is scheduled yet. Full time, that is $15,080 a year before taxes. Source
After federal and state taxes, a single full-time worker keeps about $13,822 a year, or $531.63 every two weeks.
What the North Carolina minimum wage pays
| At $7.25 | |
|---|---|
| Per hour | $7.25 |
| Per 8-hour day | $58.00 |
| Per 40-hour week | $290.00 |
| Every two weeks | $580.00 |
| Per month | $1,256.67 |
| Per year (2,080 hours) | $15,080.00 |
| Take-home every two weeks | $531.63 |
| Take-home per year | $13,822.38 |
Before taxes, except the take-home rows: after federal income tax, Social Security, Medicare and North Carolina income tax and payroll programs, single filer, 2026 Form W-4, no other deductions. Part time at 20 hours a week, the minimum wage is $7,540 a year and about $6,963 after taxes.
North Carolina minimum wage rules
Each rule links to the official source. Checked Oct 25, 2026. The federal minimum of $7.25 applies wherever a state rate is lower. Source
| Topic | The rule | Official source |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage | North Carolina's minimum wage is $7.25 an hour, the same as the federal rate. State law ties it to the federal minimum, so it changes only if the federal rate changes. No increase is scheduled. | N.C. Department of Labor, Quick Reference Guide to the Wage and Hour Act |
| Tipped employees | If you earn tips, your employer can pay as little as $2.13 an hour, but only if you are told in advance, you keep all your tips, and tips bring you up to at least $7.25. | N.C. Department of Labor, Quick Reference Guide to the Wage and Hour Act |
| Overtime | You earn time and a half for every hour over 40 in a workweek. There is no daily overtime. Workers at seasonal amusement or recreation businesses earn overtime only after 45 hours. | N.C. Department of Labor, Quick Reference Guide to the Wage and Hour Act |
How North Carolina's minimum wage compares
North Carolina is one of 20 states where the federal $7.25 is the minimum: Alabama, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, New Hampshire, North Carolina, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Wisconsin, Wyoming.
The typical (median) worker in North Carolina earns $23.06 an hour, so the minimum wage is 31% of the median wage. 10% of North Carolina workers earn less than $13.74 an hour and 25% less than $17.32 (BLS, May 2025, all 4,941,820 jobs). Source
The jobs with the lowest typical pay in North Carolina, among those with at least 1,000 workers:
| Job | Median hourly | Jobs |
|---|---|---|
| Amusement and Recreation Attendants | $12.83 | 14,120 |
| Cooks, Fast Food | $13.07 | 81,980 |
| Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers | $13.13 | 4,850 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers | $13.25 | 11,230 |
| Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop | $13.62 | 15,160 |
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $13.74 | 92,230 |
BLS figures are from May 2025, before some recent increases. Tipped jobs can show a median below the minimum wage where the law lets employers count tips toward it (see the tipped rules above).
Tax credits and rent on the minimum wage
A full-time minimum-wage worker earns $15,080 a year. At that income the 2026 Earned Income Tax Credit could be about:
| Qualifying children | Single or head of household | Married, one earner |
|---|---|---|
| 0 children | $341 | $664 |
| 1 child | $4,427 | $4,427 |
| 2 children | $6,032 | $6,032 |
| 3 children or more | $6,786 | $6,786 |
An estimate from the IRS 2026 amounts and phaseouts; the credit is paid when you file your return. Source
By the HUD guideline that housing should take no more than 30% of income, $15,080 a year covers rent and utilities up to about $377 a month; two minimum-wage earners up to $754. Source
North Carolina minimum wage questions
What is the minimum wage in North Carolina?
$7.25 an hour, the federal minimum wage, which applies because the state rate is not higher.
How much is the North Carolina minimum wage a year?
$15,080 a year at 40 hours a week for 52 weeks, or $1,257 a month, before taxes. After taxes a single filer keeps about $13,822.
How much is the North Carolina minimum wage after taxes?
About $531.63 every two weeks for a full-time single filer, after federal income tax, Social Security and Medicare and North Carolina taxes.
Is North Carolina's minimum wage going up?
No increase has been scheduled as of Oct 25, 2026.
What is time and a half at the North Carolina minimum wage?
$10.88 an hour for overtime hours.
States with a similar minimum wage
Alabama minimum wage ($7.25) · Georgia minimum wage ($7.25) · Idaho minimum wage ($7.25) · Indiana minimum wage ($7.25) · Iowa minimum wage ($7.25) · Kansas minimum wage ($7.25) · Kentucky minimum wage ($7.25) · Louisiana minimum wage ($7.25)
Related
North Carolina paycheck calculator · Minimum wage in every state · Minimum wage increases in 2027 · Hourly paycheck at $7.25
Rates checked Oct 25, 2026. Wage data: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025.