All states / North Carolina
North Carolina Minimum Wage (2026)
$7.25 per hour · 2026 unchanged since 2025
At a glance
$15,080
Full-time annual (40h × 52w)
$1,257
Monthly
$2.13
Tipped cash wage + tips
—
no increase vs 2025
| Hourly (2026) | $7.25 |
| Hourly (2025) | $7.25 |
| vs federal ($7.25) | equal to federal |
FAQ
What is the minimum wage in North Carolina in 2026?
$7.25 per hour for 2026.
How much is $7.25/hour per year?
Working full-time (40 hours/week, 52 weeks), that's $15,080 per year before taxes, about $1,257 per month. Calculate your own hours: /tools/hourly-salary-calculator/?rate=7.25.
Which rate applies if city and state minimum wages differ?
Employers must pay the highest of federal, state, and local rates for work performed in that jurisdiction.
Wage history (2019–2026)
2022: $7.25 2023: $7.25 2024: $7.25 2025: $7.25 2026: $7.25
Tipped employees in North Carolina
Federal law (FLSA) allows a "tip credit": employers pay a lower cash wage ($2.13 here) as long as cash wage + tips reach at least the full minimum wage ($7.25). If tips fall short, the employer must make up the difference.
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Sources: U.S. Department of Labor · North Carolina labor department · NCSL. Verified 2026-09-09. Overtime rules by state → · 2027 increases →