The minimum wage in North Carolina is $7.25/hour as of 2026. See the tipped wage, scheduled increases, annual income at minimum wage, and how it compares to the federal poverty level.
| Category | Rate / Detail |
|---|---|
| Standard Minimum Wage | $7.25/hour |
| Tipped Minimum Wage | $2.13/hour |
| Federal Minimum Wage | $7.25/hour (FLSA) |
| Scheduled Increases | No scheduled increases |
| Full-Time Annual (2,080 hrs) | $15,080/year |
| Part-Time Annual (30 hrs/wk) | $11,310/year |
| As % of Federal Poverty Level (1 person) | 96% of FPL ($15,650) |
| Source | U.S. DOL Wage and Hour Division; North Carolina Dept. of Labor |
Calculate annual, monthly, and weekly income at any hourly wage.
North Carolina has no state minimum wage above the federal $7.25/hour. The tipped minimum is $2.13/hour. North Carolina has preemption legislation that prevents local governments from setting higher minimum wages. There are no current legislative efforts to raise the state minimum wage.
The federal poverty guideline for a single person in 2026 is $15,650/year. At North Carolina's minimum wage of $7.25/hour, a full-time worker earns $15,080/year — 96% of the federal poverty level. For a family of four, the poverty guideline is $32,150/year; full-time minimum wage earnings represent 47% of that threshold.
| Work Schedule | Gross Annual Income at $7.25/hr | vs. Federal Poverty Level |
|---|---|---|
| Full-time (40 hrs/wk) | $15,080/year | 96% of single FPL |
| Part-time (30 hrs/wk) | $11,310/year | 72% of single FPL |
| Part-time (20 hrs/wk) | $7,540/year | 48% of single FPL |
| Federal Poverty (1 person) | $15,650/year | 100% |
| Federal Poverty (family of 4) | $32,150/year | N/A |
The minimum wage in North Carolina is $7.25/hour as of 2026. A full-time worker at minimum wage earns $15,080/year gross before taxes. North Carolina has no state minimum wage above the federal $7.25/hour. The tipped minimum is $2.13/hour. North Carolina has preemption legislation that prevents local governments from setting higher minimum wages. There are no current legislative efforts to raise the state minimum wage.
The tipped minimum wage in North Carolina is $2.13/hour. Employers who pay the tipped minimum must ensure that tips received by the employee are sufficient to bring total compensation to at least $7.25/hour. If tips are insufficient, the employer must pay the difference (called a tip credit makeup).
Scheduled increases: No scheduled increases. Check the North Carolina Department of Labor and the U.S. Department of Labor Wage and Hour Division for the most current information, as minimum wage schedules can change with new legislation or ballot measures.
At $7.25/hour, full-time earnings of $15,080/year represent 96% of the federal poverty level for a single person. MIT's Living Wage Calculator estimates that a living wage in most North Carolina counties ranges from $18 to $35/hour depending on family size and local housing costs. Minimum wage alone is generally insufficient to cover basic living expenses in most of North Carolina without government assistance or additional income.
The federal minimum wage is $7.25/hour under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). It has not increased since July 24, 2009 — the longest period without a federal minimum wage increase in history. When state minimum wages exceed the federal minimum, the higher state rate applies to covered workers. In North Carolina, the applicable minimum wage is $7.25/hour.