North Carolina minimum wage (2026)
The minimum wage in North Carolina is $7.25 an hour – $15,080 a year for full-time work. Compare it with what common jobs in North Carolina actually pay.
North Carolina minimum wage$7.25/hr
Full-time minimum-wage pay
Gross pay before taxes for a full-time job at $7.25/hr.
Typical pay in North Carolina
4,941,820 jobs$23.06/hr$47,970 a year
The minimum wage equals 31% of the state's median hourly wage.
What common jobs pay in North Carolina
Median wage in North Carolina for its most common jobs (BLS, May 2025).
127,540 jobs in North Carolina$15.08/hrLaborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand
116,720 jobs in North Carolina$18.38/hrRegistered Nurses
111,120 jobs in North Carolina$40.56/hrCashiers
106,440 jobs in North Carolina$13.89/hrFast Food and Counter Workers
92,230 jobs in North Carolina$13.74/hrCustomer Service Representatives
89,510 jobs in North Carolina$19.35/hrStockers and Order Fillers
87,510 jobs in North Carolina$17.29/hrCooks, Fast Food
81,980 jobs in North Carolina$13.07/hrWaiters and Waitresses
71,940 jobs in North Carolina$15.46/hrOffice Clerks, General
67,930 jobs in North Carolina$20.08/hr
Nearby in the ranking
All states ranked ›Sources: U.S. Department of Labor, Wage and Hour Division – State Minimum Wage Laws and the North Carolina labor department (rates, checked October 28, 2026); BLS OEWS (wages). Local and tipped rates are not shown.
Questions & answers
What is the minimum wage in North Carolina in 2026?
North Carolina's minimum wage is $7.25 an hour.
Is North Carolina's minimum wage going up?
No statewide increase is scheduled as of October 28, 2026.
How much is a full-time minimum-wage job in North Carolina per year?
At $7.25 an hour, 40 hours a week for 52 weeks (2,080 hours) comes to $15,080 a year before taxes, or about $290.00 a week.
What is the typical wage in North Carolina?
The median wage for all jobs in North Carolina was $23.06 an hour ($47,970 a year) in May 2025, according to BLS. The minimum wage is 31% of that.
Can my city have a higher minimum wage?
Yes, if North Carolina allows local minimum wages, a city or county can set a higher rate, and employers must pay whichever rate is highest: federal, state or local. Check your city's labor office.