Statutory minimum wage in North Carolina (2026)
Last reviewed: 9 October 2026
In short: North Carolina has a state minimum wage of $7.25 per hour under G.S. 95-25.3, which sets the higher of $6.15 and the federal rate. The wage rate for full-time students, learners, apprentices and messengers is 90% of that rate.
| Rule | What applies |
|---|---|
| National statutory minimum wageEmployees | Yes [1] |
| Current adult minimum wage (gross)Employees | $7.25 per hour [2] |
| Age bands, reduced rates and exclusionsEmployees | The wage rate for full-time students, learners, apprentices and messengers, as defined under the Fair Labor Standards Act, is 90% of the standard rate, rounded to the lowest nickel. [1] |
| Next scheduled changeEmployees | ⚠ Not yet verified |
| Amount from next change (gross)Employees | ⚠ Not yet verified |
| Minimum cash wage for tipped workersEmployees | $2.13 per hour cash wage; wage plus tips must reach $7.25. A tip credit is only allowed if each employee certifies the tips received and is told the cash wage in advance; tipped means more than $20 a month in tips. [3] |
| Overtime payEmployees | Time and a half of the regular rate for hours over 40 in a workweek. [4] |
| Higher local minimum wagesEmployees | No. The Wage and Hour Act pre-empts any local ordinance or policy on wage levels or other pay requirements for employers; local governments may still set pay for their own employees. [5] |
Notes
- G.S. 95-25.3(a) requires the higher of $6.15 per hour and the federal minimum wage, as it may change. The Department states that agricultural and domestic employees are subject to the federal minimum wage. Statute read from an Internet Archive snapshot because the live site refused connections.
- The state rate follows the federal rate if it rises above $7.25; no scheduled change was found.
Sources
- North Carolina General Assembly: G.S. 95-25.3 Minimum wage (Internet Archive snapshot of 22 January 2026) (consulted 9 October 2026) · all sources
- North Carolina Department of Labor: Minimum Wage in N.C. (consulted 9 October 2026) · all sources
- U.S. Department of Labor, Wage and Hour Division: Minimum Wages for Tipped Employees, table revised 1 July 2026 (Internet Archive snapshot of 4 October 2026) (consulted 10 October 2026) · all sources
- North Carolina General Assembly: G.S. 95-25.4 Overtime (Internet Archive snapshot of 16 September 2025) (consulted 10 October 2026) · all sources
- North Carolina General Assembly: G.S. 95-25.1 Short title and legislative purpose; local governments preempted (Internet Archive snapshot of 8 May 2026) (consulted 10 October 2026) · all sources
National rules that also apply
These rules are set at national level in the United States and apply here too, alongside the rules above. All national rules for the United States
| National statutory minimum wage | Yes (source: U.S. Government Publishing Office (govinfo)) |
|---|---|
| Current adult minimum wage (gross) | $7.25 per hour (source: U.S. Department of Labor, Wage and Hour Division) |
| Age bands, reduced rates and exclusions | A new employee under 20 years of age may be paid not less than $4.25 an hour during the first 90 consecutive calendar days of employment with an employer. (source: U.S. Government Publishing Office (govinfo)) |
North Carolina and neighbouring states
| State | National statutory minimum wage | Current adult minimum wage (gross) | Age bands, reduced rates and exclusions | Next scheduled change | Amount from next change (gross) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| North Carolina | Yes | $7.25 per hour | 90% for students, learners, apprentices | ⚠ Not yet verified | ⚠ Not yet verified |
| Georgia | Yes | $5.15 per hour (state; federal $7.25) | ⚠ Not yet verified | ⚠ Not yet verified | ⚠ Not yet verified |
| South Carolina | No state minimum wage | Federal $7.25 per hour | — | ⚠ Not yet verified | ⚠ Not yet verified |
| Tennessee | No state minimum wage | Federal $7.25 per hour | — | ⚠ Not yet verified | ⚠ Not yet verified |
| Virginia | Yes (state law) | $12.77 per hour | Trainees (up to 90 days): 75% of state wage or federal | 1 January 2027 | $13.75 per hour |
More rules in North Carolina
- CannabisPossession for personal use: Illegal; criminal misdemeanour · Growing at home: Prohibited (felony)
- Car speed limitsBuilt-up areas: 35 mph · Outside built-up areas (single carriageway): 55 mph
- Minimum age for a car driving licenceMinimum age for a car licence: 16 (Level 2 limited provisional) · Earliest age to drive a car supervised: 15 (limited learner permit)
- E-bikes and speed pedelecsLegal class: Bicycle, one class
- FireworksConsumers may buy and use category F2 fireworks: No (sparklers and novelties only) · Minimum age to buy: 16 (sparklers and novelties only)
- Knives and pepper sprayFolding pocket knives: Ordinary closed pocket knife exempt · Locking or one-handed knives: Spring-opened knives are not "ordinary pocket knives"
- Using a mobile phone while drivingHolding a phone while driving banned: No (texting/email banned) · Hands-free use: Calls not restricted
- Seat belts and child seatsSeat belt compulsory in front seats: Yes · Seat belt compulsory in rear seats: Yes
- Tobacco and nicotine age limitsMinimum age to buy tobacco: 21 · Minimum age to buy e-cigarettes: 21
- Drinking age and alcohol salesMinimum age to buy beer and wine: 21 (all alcohol) · Minimum age to buy spirits: 21 (all alcohol)
- Drink-driving limitsBlood alcohol limit for ordinary drivers: 0.08% · Lower limit for novice or young drivers: Zero (under 21)
Related pages
General information, not legal advice. Rules change: check the official source before you fly or ride.