North Carolina’s minimum wage is $7.25 an hour in 2026, which is the same as the federal floor [1][3]. Beyond the base rate, the two rules that matter most to paychecks are how the tipped wage works and when overtime applies.
At a glance
- Minimum wage
- $7.25 an hour [1]
- Tipped workers
- $2.13 cash wage, if tips make up the rest [1][2]
- Most tip credit an employer can take
- $5.12 an hour [2]
- Overtime
- 1.5 times your regular rate after 40 hours a week [3]
- Farm and domestic workers
- Covered by the federal minimum wage [1]
| Worker | Minimum per hour | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Most workers | $7.25 | Same as the federal rate |
| Tipped workers (cash wage) | $2.13 | Tips must bring the total to $7.25 |
| Tipped workers (cash wage + tips) | $7.25 | Employer tip credit up to $5.12 |
| Overtime hours | 1.5 x regular rate | After 40 hours a week (45 in seasonal amusement or recreation) |
Who the state minimum wage covers
The N.C. Department of Labor says the $7.25 rate applies to most employers doing business in the state, including state, county and local governments [1]. Agricultural and domestic workers are the main exception: they fall under the federal minimum wage instead [1]. In practice the number is the same, but it changes which agency handles a complaint.
How the tipped wage works
An employer can pay a tipped worker as little as $2.13 an hour in cash and count tips toward the rest of the $7.25. The part counted from tips is called the tip credit , and it can’t be more than $5.12 an hour [2].
Under North Carolina’s rules, to use the tip credit the employer has to [1]:
- tell tipped workers about it in advance,
- let workers keep all of their tips,
- keep accurate records, with workers certifying their tips each month or each pay period.
If your tips for the hours you worked don’t add up to the credit, the employer has to pay more in cash so you still earn at least $7.25 an hour [1]. To count as a tipped employee under the state rules, you have to regularly get more than $20 a month in tips [2].
Overtime
Overtime is due after 40 hours in a workweek, at one and a half times your regular rate. Seasonal amusement and recreation businesses get a higher threshold: overtime starts after 45 hours a week [3].
If you’re underpaid
Where you file depends on what’s missing from your pay [4]:
- Minimum wage, overtime, or pay that involves tips: the N.C. Department of Labor refers these to the U.S. Department of Labor, at 866-487-9243.
- Other unpaid wages (a final paycheck, vacation pay, unauthorized deductions, pay reductions, missing pay stubs): file with the N.C. Department of Labor online or at 1-800-625-2267 (1-800-NC-LABOR).
Sources
Common questions
What is the minimum wage in North Carolina in 2026?
$7.25 an hour, the same as the federal minimum wage. Agricultural and domestic workers are covered by the federal minimum wage rather than the state law.
What is the tipped minimum wage in North Carolina?
Employers can pay tipped workers a cash wage of $2.13 an hour, as long as tips bring them up to at least $7.25 for every hour worked. If tips fall short, the employer has to pay the difference.
Who do I complain to if I'm paid less than minimum wage in North Carolina?
The N.C. Department of Labor sends minimum wage, overtime and tip complaints to the U.S. Department of Labor (866-487-9243). NCDOL itself handles other unpaid wages, like final paychecks and unauthorized deductions, if the wages were due within the last year.