The minimum wage in Winston-Salem is $7.25/hour in 2026. See how it compares to the MIT living wage of $19.50/hour and local cost of living.
Last updated: May 2026 · Data: MIT Living Wage Calculator, C2ER, U.S. Census, BLS, IRS, state and city sources
Calculate annual, monthly, and weekly income at any hourly wage in Winston-Salem.
The minimum wage in Winston-Salem is the North Carolina rate of $7.25/hour, which matches the federal minimum. North Carolina sets its minimum wage at the federal rate of $7.25/hour and has not raised it since 2009. State law prevents North Carolina cities from setting their own minimum wage. The bigger question for most workers is how that compares to what it actually costs to live in Winston-Salem. With average 1-bedroom rent near $1,150/month and a cost-of-living index of 92 (US average = 100), the gap between the minimum wage and a true living wage can be significant.
| Benchmark (Winston-Salem, 2026) | Hourly | Annual (full-time) |
|---|---|---|
| Applicable minimum wage | $7.25 | $15,080 |
| MIT living wage (single adult) | $19.50 | $40,560 |
| MIT living wage (family of four, one earner) | $39.00 | $81,120 |
| Federal minimum wage | $7.25 | $15,080 |
| Federal tipped cash wage (with tip credit) | $2.13 | $4,430 |
| Average rent (1-bedroom, annual) | - | $13,800 |
Living wage figures: MIT Living Wage Calculator for Forsyth County. Minimum wage reflects the rate applicable to most private employers in Winston-Salem.
Winston-Salem grew from a tobacco and textile capital, the birthplace of R.J. Reynolds, into a center for healthcare, biotechnology, and education, anchored by Wake Forest University and the Innovation Quarter, one of the largest urban research parks in the country.
| Local Metric | Winston-Salem (2026 estimate) |
|---|---|
| Metro population | 250,000 |
| County / jurisdiction | Forsyth County |
| Cost of living index (US avg = 100) | 92 |
| MIT living wage, single adult | $19.50/hour |
| MIT living wage, one earner supporting a family of four | $39.00/hour |
| Applicable minimum wage | $7.25/hour |
| Average rent, 1-bedroom | $1,150/month |
| Average rent, 2-bedroom | $1,350/month |
| Median home price | $265,000 |
| Median household income | $54,000/year |
| Combined sales tax rate | 6.75% |
| Effective property tax rate | 0.98% of value/year |
Local figures are 2026 estimates compiled from the MIT Living Wage Calculator, the C2ER Cost of Living Index, U.S. Census and Zillow housing data, and city and county sources. Verify current figures before relying on them.
The minimum wage in Winston-Salem is the North Carolina rate of $7.25/hour, which matches the federal minimum. North Carolina sets its minimum wage at the federal rate of $7.25/hour and has not raised it since 2009. State law prevents North Carolina cities from setting their own minimum wage. A full-time worker (40 hours/week, 52 weeks) earns about $15,080 per year gross before taxes at that rate.
Not for a single adult. The MIT Living Wage Calculator estimates a single adult in Forsyth County needs about $19.50/hour (roughly $40,560/year) to cover basic costs. That is $12.25/hour above the applicable minimum wage, and a one-earner family of four needs closer to $39.00/hour.
At $7.25/hour, full-time work (2,080 hours/year) produces about $15,080 gross. Part-time at 30 hours/week is roughly $11,310/year. Average 1-bedroom rent in Winston-Salem is about $1,150/month, or $13,800/year.
Winston-Salem does not set a separate city minimum wage. North Carolina sets one statewide rate equal to the federal $7.25/hour and preempts local minimum wage ordinances.
The federal minimum wage is $7.25/hour and has not changed since 2009. North Carolina adopts that same federal rate, so $7.25/hour applies in Winston-Salem.