North Carolina Minimum Wage 2026
The North Carolina minimum wage is $7.25 an hour in 2026, the federal minimum. North Carolina uses the federal minimum wage.
| Hourly | $7.25 |
| Daily (8 hours) | $58.00 |
| Weekly (40 hours) | $290.00 |
| Every 2 weeks | $580.00 |
| Monthly | $1,256.67 |
| Yearly | $15,080 |
| Overtime hour (1.5×) | $10.88 |
| Federal income tax | -$0 |
| Social Security + Medicare | -$1,154 |
| North Carolina taxes | -$93 |
| Take-home pay | $13,833 |
North Carolina vs neighboring states
| State | 2026 minimum wage | Full-time yearly |
|---|---|---|
| North Carolina | $7.25 | $15,080 |
| Virginia | $12.77 | $26,562 |
| Tennessee | $7.25 | $15,080 |
| Georgia | $7.25 | $15,080 |
| South Carolina | $7.25 | $15,080 |
Common questions
What is the North Carolina minimum wage in 2026?
The North Carolina minimum wage is $7.25 an hour in 2026, the same as the federal minimum. North Carolina uses the federal minimum wage.
When did the North Carolina minimum wage last change?
The current $7.25 rate has applied since July 24, 2009, when the federal minimum was last raised.
How much is minimum wage full time in North Carolina after taxes?
Working 40 hours a week, $7.25 an hour is $15,080 a year before taxes. A single filer keeps about $13,833 a year, or $532.05 every two weeks, after federal and North Carolina taxes.
Is the North Carolina minimum wage higher than the federal minimum wage?
No. North Carolina uses the federal minimum wage of $7.25 an hour, which has not changed since 2009.
What is overtime pay at the North Carolina minimum wage?
Overtime is at least 1.5 times the regular rate, so each overtime hour at the North Carolina minimum wage pays at least $10.88.
Some workers, such as tipped employees, minors and employees of very small businesses, may have different minimums. Check the North Carolina labor department for your situation.