North Carolina minimum wage: $7.25 an hour (the federal rate)
Checked November 8, 2026Source: North Carolina Department of Labor
Short answer
North Carolina has no state minimum wage above the federal one, so most employers there must pay at least $7.25 an hour under the federal Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).
Employers may pay tipped employees $2.13 an hour in cash, as long as tips bring them up to at least $7.25.
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- Minimum wage today
- $7.25
- Tipped employees, cash wage
- $2.13
- Full-time year at today’s rate (2,080 hours)
- $15,080
We found no city or county in North Carolina with its own higher minimum wage.
North Carolina minimum wage by date
| Effective | Minimum wage | Tipped cash wage | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| July 24, 2009Current | $7.25 | $2.13 | State rate matches the federal minimum (federal $7.25 since July 24, 2009). Tip credit requires advance notice and employee tip certification. Agricultural and domestic workers fall under federal law only.source |
Other North Carolina pay rules
- Paydays
- Any regular schedule: daily, weekly, every two weeks, twice a month or monthly. Bonuses and commissions can be paid as rarely as yearly if set in advance.
- Overtime
- Time and a half after 40 hours in a workweek. North Carolina’s overtime law generally doesn’t apply to businesses covered by the federal Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), which follow the federal rule, or to employees of seasonal amusement or recreational establishments.
- Final paycheck
- Fired: By the next regular payday (by trackable mail if the employee asks in writing). Quit: By the next regular payday (by trackable mail if the employee asks in writing).
From the North Carolina Department of Labor and the U.S. Department of Labor’s state tables. All North Carolina employer rules.
Minimum wage in states next to North Carolina
If you hire across a state line, the worker’s state sets the rate.
| State | Today | Next change |
|---|---|---|
| North Carolina | $7.25 | None scheduled |
| Virginia | $12.77 | $13.75 on January 1, 2027 |
| Georgia | $7.25 | None scheduled |
| South Carolina | $7.25 | None scheduled |
| Tennessee | $7.25 | None scheduled |
Questions employers ask
What is the minimum wage in North Carolina in 2026?
North Carolina has no state minimum wage above the federal one, so most employers there must pay at least $7.25 an hour under the federal Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).
What is the tipped minimum wage in North Carolina?
Employers may pay tipped employees $2.13 an hour in cash, as long as tips bring them up to at least $7.25.
When does the North Carolina minimum wage go up next?
No increase is scheduled under current North Carolina law. Any change would need new legislation or a ballot measure.
Do cities in North Carolina have a higher minimum wage?
We found no city or county minimum wage in North Carolina.
Does North Carolina require overtime pay?
Time and a half after 40 hours in a workweek. North Carolina’s overtime law generally doesn’t apply to businesses covered by the federal Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), which follow the federal rule, or to employees of seasonal amusement or recreational establishments.
Compare every state’s minimum wage · Everything employers in North Carolina must do
Sources
- North Carolina Department of Labor
- Minimum Wages for Tipped Employees (revised November 5, 2026), U.S. Department of Labor, Wage and Hour Division (read Nov 8, 2026)
- History of Federal Minimum Wage Rates Under the FLSA, 1938-2009, U.S. Department of Labor, Wage and Hour Division (read Nov 8, 2026)