Hourly Minimum Wage in North Carolina

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The state-wide minimum wage for North Carolina is $7.25 per hour as of January 01, 2023.

View all North Carolina minimum wage values

Hourly Minimum Wage for North Carolina and neighboring states in 2023

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North Carolina minimum wage rate is $7.25 per hour in 2023. Workers receive a lower minimum wage in North Carolina that exceeds the Federal Minimum Wage of $7.25. The North Carolina minimum wage applies to most employees, with limited exceptions, including certain tipped employees, students or part-time workers, and other exempt occupations. The top 5 minimum wage states in the U.S. are District of Columbia, Washington, California, Connecticut, and Massachusetts.
The federal minimum wage is currently $7.25 per hour and has not increased since 2009. Demand for a living wage that is fair to workers is rising. In response to this rising demand, numerous states, cities, and other localities have already enacted or will change minimum wage levels. In the few states with no established minimum wage, the current federal minimum wage of $7.25 per hour will continue to apply.
Based on local legislation, many states have already enacted minimum wage increases or approved increases due for implementation at a future date.
These ever-changing laws, effective dates, and methodologies result in minimum wages that may change at different times or differ dramatically within a state or region. Minimum wage changes can be triggered for a location when these pre-determined conditions change and require careful monitoring to ensure compliance to the latest wage levels.
Salary.com continuously tracks all these complex changes. We can help to keep you informed about future changes and stay up to date on the latest minimum wage levels in your essential locations. Show me more data to view U.S. state minimum wages for future years.

Browse Minimum Wage by Year, and Forecast Minimum Wage Increase Trends in North Carolina

The minimum wages in some states are higher than the federal minimum wage in 2023, including District of Columbia, Washington, California, Connecticut, and others. Many of the minimum wage increases were effective on January 01, 2018. Some states have effective dates occurring at different months of the year. Check the chart to stay up to date on the hourly minimum wage in North Carolina.
View upcoming minimum wage changes to be on top of future changes to the minimum wage in your location.
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Hourly Minimum Wage for Tipped Employees in North Carolina

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The tipped minimum wage is the lowest amount employers can pay an employee in occupations such as a bartender or server, that regularly receive more than $30 a month in tips. In some states, the tipped minimum wage may be lower than the non-tipped minimum wage because employers can claim a tip credit.
It is important to note that the tipped minimum wage can vary depending on where your business is and the size of the business. In some states, the tipped minimum wage is equal to the overall minimum wage for that state. In some locations, the federal tipped minimum wage applies. In other locations, the state-tipped minimum wage is set above the federal minimum. Tipped minimum wages may vary from state to state and can be frequently adjusted, making it essential to stay informed about the latest wage levels.
In North Carolina, the tipped minimum wage is the same as the state minimum wage. It may be subject to adjustment based on other criteria, such as the size of the business.
See tipped data learn more about tipped and non-tipped minimum wage in North Carolina.

What is the minimum wage in North Carolina in 2023?

North Carolina minimum wage in 2021: US$7.25

North Carolina minimum wage in 2020: US$7.25

North Carolina minimum wage in 2000: US$5.15 ($7.93 after inflation adjustment)

North Carolina minimum wage in 1980: US$2.75 ($9.21 after inflation adjustment)

People's Opinions on Minimum Wage in North Carolina

Employers may apply to the North Carolina Wage and Hour Bureau for a disabled worker certificate to set a sub-minimum wage rate for a particular disabled worker to perform a particular job.

09/11/2021

The EPI found that low-wage workers in North Carolina who are not receiving minimum wage are losing almost one-third of the wages they are due.

09/10/2021

Neither the federal nor North Carolina minimum wage amendments addressed the status of employees who receive tips in addition to a minimum cash wage from the employer.

09/08/2021

Under North Carolina law, employers are not required to pay employees more than what is required by the minimum wage and overtime provisions.

08/29/2021

If you are an employee with a proven minimum wage or overtime claim in North Carolina, you may be eligible for all of your unpaid wages.

08/26/2021

In addition to any North Carolina-specific minimum wage exemptions described above, the Federal Fair Labor Standards act defines special minimum wage rates applicable to certain types of workers.

08/08/2021

The minimum wage in North Carolina will remain at the federal level for the foreseeable future due to a lack of bipartisan legislative support for a statewide minimum wage increase.

08/02/2021

A lack of progress on the state minimum wage is particularly troublesome given the lack of wage growth that has occurred for North Carolina workers at the low end of the pay scale.

07/22/2021

Employers may deduct from wages (and count against the minimum wage) the reasonable cost of board, lodging, or other facilities under North Carolina law.

07/07/2021

Unlike in other states, where urban progressive enclaves have raised their minimum wage, activists in North Carolina are legally barred from doing so.

07/01/2021

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Minimum Wage by State in 2023