2020 North Carolina Minimum Wage
The 2020 North Carolina Minimum Wage is $7.25.
Effective 2020-01-01Source: Minimum Wage in N.C. (North Carolina Department of Labor)Verified 2026-08-30
Compared with 2019
Every figure on this page is unchanged from 2019.
| Item | 2019 | 2020 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hourly | $7.25 | $7.25 | +$0 (+0.0%) |
Who it applies to
Employers doing business in North Carolina, including state, county, and local governments and their instrumentalities. Agricultural and domestic employees are subject to the federal minimum wage.
What changed this year, and why
The minimum wage in North Carolina remained at $7.25 per hour in 2020, unchanged from 2019.
Common questions
- What is the minimum wage in North Carolina for 2020?
- The minimum hourly wage in North Carolina for 2020 is $7.25.
- What is the minimum cash wage for tipped employees?
- Employers of tipped employees may take a tip credit toward the minimum wage, but they must pay a cash wage that, combined with tips, equals at least $7.25 per hour. If tips fall short, the employer must make up the difference.
- Did the minimum wage change from 2019 to 2020?
- No. The minimum wage remained at $7.25 per hour from 2019 into 2020.
When a city or county sets a higher minimum wage
In North Carolina, the state minimum wage is $7.25 per hour, and employers must pay at least that amount to all workers, including the state government, county governments, local governments, and government instrumentalities. This rate sets the floor for wages across the state. While some cities or counties in other parts of the country have set their own higher minimum wages, North Carolina's rate of $7.25 per hour applies uniformly to all covered employers throughout the state. Workers in North Carolina should know that this is the minimum hourly rate their employer must pay, regardless of which city or county they work in.
The $7.25 per hour state minimum wage also applies to the state of North Carolina, to county and local governments and to instrumentalities of government.
Minimum Wage in N.C. (North Carolina Department of Labor)
Who to ask about this rate, and where to take a wage complaint
In North Carolina, if you have questions about minimum wage or need to file a wage complaint, you can contact the North Carolina Department of Labor. The department provides a toll-free number for workplace rights inquiries: 1-800-NC-LABOR (1-800-625-2267). Workers in North Carolina who believe they are not being paid the required minimum wage of $7.25 per hour should reach out to this office for guidance and assistance. The department also maintains a wage and hour training calendar and informational presentations for those who want to learn more about their rights.
For more information about workplace rights, please contact our toll free number at 1-800-NC-LABOR (800-625-2267).
Minimum Wage in N.C. (North Carolina Department of Labor)
State minimum wage laws that give more than the federal rate
In North Carolina, the state minimum wage is $7.25 per hour, and employers must pay at least that amount to all workers. The state minimum wage also applies to the state government, county governments, local governments, and government instrumentalities. This means that across North Carolina, the $7.25 hourly rate is the floor for all covered employment, whether the employer is a private business or a government entity. Workers in North Carolina should know that this is the minimum they must be paid per hour.
Employers doing business in North Carolina are required to pay at least $7.25 per hour to all employees (agricultural and domestic employees are subject to the federal minimum wage).
Minimum Wage in N.C. (North Carolina Department of Labor)
When tips, meals or lodging count toward the minimum wage
In North Carolina, employers of tipped workers must pay at least $2.13 per hour in cash wages, as long as the employee's tips bring their total earnings to at least $7.25 per hour. If a tipped employee does not earn enough in tips to reach $7.25 per hour when combined with the cash wage, the employer must make up the difference. It is the employer's responsibility to ensure that every tipped worker receives at least the full minimum wage through the combination of cash wages and tips. Workers in North Carolina who receive tips should know that their employer cannot simply pay them less than $7.25 per hour in total compensation.
In North Carolina, an employer MUST pay at least $2.13 an hour to tipped employees as long as each employee receives enough in tips to make up the difference between the wages paid and the minimum wage ($7.25).
Minimum Wage in N.C. (North Carolina Department of Labor)
Why the federal rate applies when the state rate is lower
In North Carolina, agricultural and domestic employees are not covered by the state minimum wage of $7.25 per hour. Instead, these workers are subject to the federal minimum wage rules. This means that farmworkers and domestic workers in North Carolina may be paid under different minimum wage requirements than other employees in the state. If you work in agriculture or domestic service in North Carolina, the wage rules that apply to you may differ from the standard state rate, and you should check with the appropriate federal agency to understand your specific rights.
The minimum wage in North Carolina is currently $7.25 an hour. Employers doing business in North Carolina are required to pay at least $7.25 per hour to all employees (agricultural and domestic employees are subject to the federal minimum wage).
Minimum Wage in N.C. (North Carolina Department of Labor)
How each figure was verified
Each number below was read from a stored copy of the document named beside it, and checked to occur word for word in the quoted sentence. The digest is of that stored text.
Minimum Wage in N.C. (North Carolina Department of Labor)
- Hourly
The minimum wage in North Carolina is currently $7.25 an hour.
Other years
Every North Carolina Minimum Wage year · Minimum Wage in every state