North Carolina Minimum Wage 2026
North Carolina follows the federal minimum wage of $7.25 an hour, in effect since July 24, 2009. Full time at 40 hours a week for 52 weeks that is $15,080 a year before tax.
North Carolina minimum wage in 2026
North Carolina follows the federal minimum wage of $7.25 an hour, in effect since July 24, 2009. Full time at 40 hours a week for 52 weeks that is $15,080 a year before tax.
North Carolina’s statute sets the higher of $6.15 and the federal minimum wage, which is $7.25. Employers covered by the federal Fair Labor Standards Act are exempt from the state wage rules.
North Carolina law (G.S. 95-25.1) preempts local pay rules.
Rates were checked against U.S. Department of Labor, consolidated minimum wage table and the Department of Labor consolidated table on October 19, 2026.
From hourly to yearly pay
Yearly pay is the hourly rate times hours per week times 52. At $7.25 that is $15,080.00 for a 40-hour week. Part-time hours scale down: 30 hours a week is $11,310.00 a year. The calculator above starts at the minimum wage and shows the take-home after North Carolina tax. Change the hours or the rate to test another job.
Other tools: the North Carolina hourly to salary calculator, the North Carolina paycheck calculator, the overtime calculator, and the minimum wage by state table.
| Period | Gross pay |
|---|---|
| Hourly | $7.25 |
| Time and a half (overtime) | $10.88 |
| Weekly | $290.00 |
| Every two weeks | $580.00 |
| Twice a month | $628.33 |
| Monthly | $1,256.67 |
| Yearly (2,080 hours) | $15,080.00 |
| Line | Per year |
|---|---|
| Gross pay | $15,080.00 |
| Federal income tax | $0.00 |
| Social Security and Medicare | $1,153.62 |
| North Carolina state tax and payroll programs | $92.97 |
| Take-home pay | $13,833.41 |
| Place | Hourly | Full-time year |
|---|---|---|
| North Carolina minimum wage | $7.25 | $15,080 |
| South Carolina minimum wage | $7.25 | $15,080 |
| Virginia minimum wage | $12.77 | $26,561 |
| Georgia minimum wage | $7.25 | $15,080 |
| Federal minimum wage | $7.25 | $15,080 |
Keep reading
Questions
What is the minimum wage in North Carolina in 2026?
$7.25 an hour. That is the same as the federal minimum wage.
How much is the North Carolina minimum wage per year?
At $7.25 an hour, 40 hours a week and 52 weeks (2,080 hours), gross pay is $15,080.00 a year, $1,256.67 a month, or $580.00 every two weeks, before tax.
How much is minimum wage take-home pay in North Carolina?
For a single filer on a blank 2020 W-4 with no benefits, about $532.05 every two weeks, or $13,833 a year after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and North Carolina state tax.
Can a city or county set a higher minimum wage?
This page lists the statewide rate only. Local governments in some states set higher rates, so check with your city, county, or the state labor department if you work in a large metro area.