United States · Minimum wage 2026 · North Carolina
North Carolina minimum wage 2026
North Carolina uses the federal minimum wage of $7.25 an hour, which is $15,080 a year for a full-time job. No change for 2027 has been found. After tax, a single full-time worker keeps about $13,833.
North Carolina · $7.25 an hour (the federal minimum wage) · 40 hours a week
$13,833 a year after tax
$15,080 a year before tax · $1,152.78 a month after tax
| Before tax | After tax | |
|---|---|---|
| A week | $290.00 | $266.03 |
| A month | $1,256.67 | $1,152.78 |
| A year | $15,080 | $13,833 |
- Taken off for the year: $0.00 federal income tax, $1,153.62 Social Security and Medicare, and $92.97 North Carolina tax. Single filer, one job, nothing taken before tax.
- A year is 52 weeks of 40 hours (2,080 hours).
How much is the North Carolina minimum wage a year?
At $7.25 an hour, before tax, and after tax for a single filer. A year is 52 weeks.
| Hours a week | A week | A month | A year | Take-home a year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 40 | $290.00 | $1,256.67 | $15,080 | $13,833 |
| 30 | $217.50 | $942.50 | $11,310 | $10,445 |
| 20 | $145.00 | $628.33 | $7,540 | $6,963 |
Full time, nothing goes in federal income tax, $1,154 in Social Security and Medicare and $93 in North Carolina tax, leaving $1,152.78 a month.
What is the tipped minimum wage in North Carolina?
Employers in North Carolina can pay tipped workers a cash wage of $2.13 an hour, as long as tips bring them up to at least $7.25: tips must cover up to $5.12 of each hour. At 40 hours a week the cash wage alone is $85.20.
Will the North Carolina minimum wage go up in 2027?
No change for 2027 has been found.
Are there exceptions in North Carolina?
Some cities set higher rates than their state; check your city’s own rate. This page shows the state rate.
North Carolina’s own minimum wage law sets the same $7.25 as the federal rate.
What does this leave out?
- Rates for particular jobs or employers the data does not list, training and youth wages beyond those shown, and overtime.
- In take-home pay: local taxes, other income, credits and pre-tax deductions; it is a single filer with one job.
- City and county rates the data does not cover.
What else can I work out?
- North Carolina paycheck calculator Take-home pay for any wage or salary in North Carolina, per paycheck, with 401(k) and HSA.
- Minimum wage by state Every state’s 2026 rate, tipped wage and 2027 change, side by side.
- New York minimum wage $17.00 an hour in 2026 (New York City area).
- North Dakota minimum wage $7.25 an hour in 2026.
- Hourly to salary calculator Any hourly wage as a yearly salary, and back, with take-home pay.
Questions about the North Carolina minimum wage
What is the minimum wage in North Carolina in 2026?
$7.25 an hour. North Carolina uses the federal minimum wage.
What is the tipped minimum wage in North Carolina?
Employers in North Carolina can pay tipped workers a cash wage of $2.13 an hour, as long as tips bring them up to at least $7.25: tips must cover up to $5.12 of each hour. At 40 hours a week the cash wage alone is $85.20.
Will the North Carolina minimum wage go up in 2027?
No change for 2027 has been found.
How much is $7.25 an hour a year?
$15,080 a year before tax at 40 hours a week for 52 weeks: $1,256.67 a month or $290.00 a week. At 30 hours a week it is $11,310 a year.
How much does a minimum wage job pay after taxes in North Carolina?
A single person working 40 hours a week at $7.25 keeps about $13,833 a year ($1,152.78 a month) after no federal income tax,$1,154 Social Security and Medicare and $93 North Carolina tax.
Do cities in North Carolina have a higher minimum wage?
Our data has no city rates for North Carolina, so this page shows the state rate. Some states let cities set their own higher rates, so check your city’s own rate.