Questions around North Carolina’s minimum wage, which has not changed since 2009, are buzzing again, with minimum wage increases set to go into effect in a few months in more than 10 states.
A total of 16 states are set to raise their minimum wages beginning Jan. 1, 2027. Of these states, 15 have a rate set, with Michigan to see the highest wage hike of $1.27 an hour, making the state’s minimum wage $15. Twenty states, including N.C., will stay at the federal minimum wage of $7.25. Jan. 1 of this year saw minimum wage floors rise in 19 states.
A 2026 study from financial information company SmartAsset noted that even a six-figure salary “no longer guarantees financial comfort in much of the U.S.,” estimating that a single adult now needs at least $80,000 a year to live comfortably in every state. The same study ranked N.C. at No. 28 in the nation for salary needed to live comfortably, with $93,475 needed for a single adult to live comfortably.
The federal minimum wage in the U.S., which is also North Carolina’s minimum wage, amounts to roughly $15,080 in annual salary before taxes. Here’s what to know about possible changes, states with the highest minimum wage rates and more.
What is the federal minimum wage?
The federal minimum wage in the U.S. is $7.25 per hour.
What is the minimum wage in North Carolina?
The minimum wage in the state is the same as the federal minimum wage: $7.25 per hour.
Is North Carolina raising the minimum wage?
As of late October 2026, no laws that would affect N.C.’s minimum wage are set to be enacted.
N.C.’s House Bill 353, short titled “Fair Minimum Wage Act,” was referred to the House Committee on Rules, Calendar, and Operations in March 2025 and has seen no further movement since. If passed, the bill would increase the state minimum wage gradually to $18 per hour by 2030.
N.C.’s House Bill 1059, which holds the same short title as HB 353, would make similar adjustments, allowing local governments to adopt a higher minimum wage of up to $15 per hour with automatic adjustments for inflation each year based on the consumer price index. The bill was referred in late April and has seen no further movement.
[Editor’s Note: Republicans hold majorities in both chambers of the NC General Assembly. House Bill 353 and House Bill 1059 were filed by Democrats. Republicans in the NC General Assembly have opposed changes to the state’s minimum wage.]
When was the North Carolina minimum wage last increased?
N.C.’s minimum wage has remained at its current rate since 2009.
Which states have the highest minimum wages?
30 states have higher minimum wages than the federal minimum, including Alaska, Arkansas, Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, District of Columbia, Delaware, Florida, Hawaii, Illinois, Massachusetts, Maryland, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Jersey, New Mexico, Nevada, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Virginia, Vermont, Washington and West Virginia.
The top three states with the highest minimum wages include Wash. with $17.13, CT with $16.94 and Cali. with $16.90. Washington, D.C., holds a minimum wage of $18.40, and certain counties in N.Y. hold a minimum wage of $17, higher than the state minimum of $16.
Which states have the lowest minimum wages?
A number of states, including Alabama, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Tennessee and Wyoming, have no minimum wage or a lower minimum wage than $7.25, but employers covered by the Fair Labor Standards Act must pay the federal minimum wage. In particular, Wyo. has a minimum wage of $5.15, and Ga. has a minimum wage of $5.15.
Certain groups of workers, such as full-time students, people with disabilities, workers under 20, tipped workers and more, can be paid below the standard federal minimum wage of $7.25 per hour in some circumstances, as outlined on the FLSA website.
Reporting by Iris Seaton, Asheville Citizen Times / Asheville Citizen Times
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
