Calculate your overtime pay in Winston-Salem based on your hourly rate and hours worked, using the federal FLSA 40-hour weekly rule that applies in North Carolina for 2026.
Last updated: May 2026 · Data: MIT Living Wage Calculator, C2ER, U.S. Census, BLS, IRS, state and city sources
Applicable minimum wage in Winston-Salem: $7.25/hour
North Carolina follows the federal Fair Labor Standards Act with no separate state overtime rules: non-exempt employees in Winston-Salem earn 1.5x their regular rate for hours worked beyond 40 in a workweek. There is no daily overtime requirement in North Carolina.
| Rule | Winston-Salem (NC) Requirement |
|---|---|
| Weekly overtime threshold | 40 hours/week (1.5x) |
| Daily overtime | Not required (no daily overtime in North Carolina) |
| Double time | Not required under state or federal law |
| Seventh consecutive day | No special rule |
| Applicable minimum wage | $7.25/hour |
| Federal overtime rate | 1.5x regular rate (FLSA) |
Your overtime rate is based on your regular rate of pay, which includes hourly wages and most non-discretionary bonuses. For example, at $20.00/hour a standard 1.5x overtime hour pays $30.00.
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.
In Winston-Salem, North Carolina follows the federal Fair Labor Standards Act with no separate state overtime rules: non-exempt employees in Winston-Salem earn 1.5x their regular rate for hours worked beyond 40 in a workweek. There is no daily overtime requirement in North Carolina. Overtime is based on your regular rate of pay, which includes most non-discretionary bonuses, not just your base hourly wage.
The applicable minimum wage in Winston-Salem is $7.25/hour. 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. Overtime must be at least 1.5x your regular rate, and if your rate is higher than the minimum, overtime is figured on your actual rate.
No. North Carolina does not have a general daily overtime law, so workers in Winston-Salem earn overtime only after 40 hours in a workweek under the federal FLSA, regardless of how many hours are worked in a single day.
Salaried executive, administrative, and professional employees who earn above the federal salary threshold ($684/week) and meet the duties tests are generally exempt, as are most independent contractors. North Carolina follows the federal exemption rules, so the same salary threshold and duties tests apply in Winston-Salem. Check with an employment attorney for your situation.
Overtime is taxed as ordinary wages. New for 2026, the federal One Big Beautiful Bill Act lets eligible non-exempt workers deduct up to $12,500 ($25,000 for joint filers) of overtime pay from federal taxable income. North Carolina has a flat 4.25% income tax and has not adopted a matching state deduction, so the overtime deduction reduces only your federal taxable income. Consult a tax professional to confirm eligibility.