Minimum wage › North Carolina
Minimum wage and worker rights in North Carolina (2026)
Official data from the North Carolina Department of Labor and the U.S. Department of Labor, checked on October 6, 2026.
MINIMUM WAGE (FEDERAL)
$7.25 /hourNorth Carolina has no minimum wage of its own above the federal one.
Tipped: $2.13.
Tipped: $2.13.
Same as the federal $7.25, unchanged since 2009
Overtime1.5× after 40 h a weekAt seasonal amusement or recreational businesses, overtime starts after 45 h a week.
Sick leaveNot required by state lawDepends on your employer's policy.
VacationPaid out unless a written policy says noNo law requires vacation. Earned vacation is paid unless there's a written forfeiture clause given in advance.
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North Carolina Department of Laborlabor.nc.govMinimum wage · North Carolinadol.govVacation · North Carolinalabor.nc.gov
PlainRefund is not a government app. This is general information, not legal advice: always confirm with the official source or your state's labor department.