North Carolina Minimum Wage
N.C.G.S. 95-25.3
Regulatory Snapshot: North Carolina Minimum Wage
North Carolina Minimum Wage (N.C.G.S. 95-25.3) is an enacted law in North Carolina under the Employment & Worker Protection category. It was enacted on 2009-07-24 and becomes effective on 2009-07-24. North Carolina currently reports 1 tracked regulations with 1 already in force, giving the state a regulatory strictness score of 17/100 relative to the national baseline. PlainRegWatch last verified this entry on 2026-03-18.
Nationally, 107 states have enacted employment & worker protection statutes and 0 additional bills remain pending — 51 distinct jurisdictions have codified rules in this area so far. That places North Carolina within a mature and broadly adopted employment & worker protection landscape where compliance programs typically hinge on definitions in N.C.G.S. 95-25.3 itself.
Applicability under North Carolina Minimum Wage: All NC employers. Penalty exposure is documented as: Dept of Labor enforcement. Private civil action. Notable exemptions: Federal FLSA exemptions apply..
Summary
North Carolina minimum wage equals federal: $7.25/hr. Preemption statute prohibits local ordinances.
Key Requirements
$7.25/hr. Tipped: $2.13/hr + tips to $7.25. No local wage ordinances permitted.
Penalties
Dept of Labor enforcement. Private civil action.
Applicability
All NC employers.
Exemptions
Federal FLSA exemptions apply.
Official Source
https://www.labor.nc.gov/workplace-rights/employee-rights-regarding-time-worked-and-wages-paid/minimum-wageFrequently Asked Questions
Which states have employment & worker protection regulations?
As of the last verification, 51 states have enacted employment & worker protection regulations, with 0 additional bills pending across other states. North Carolina is among the states that has enacted such legislation. Browse all employment & worker protection regulations at plainregwatch.com for the complete state-by-state comparison.
When was North Carolina Minimum Wage enacted?
North Carolina Minimum Wage was enacted on 2009-07-24 and became effective on 2009-07-24. It was introduced as N.C.G.S. 95-25.3.
What are the penalties for violating North Carolina Minimum Wage?
Dept of Labor enforcement. Private civil action. Note that enforcement mechanisms and penalty structures may vary. Consult the official statute and qualified legal counsel for specific compliance requirements.
Does North Carolina Minimum Wage apply to small businesses?
All NC employers. Many state regulations include thresholds or exemptions for smaller organizations. Review the full applicability criteria and consult legal counsel to determine your obligations.
How does North Carolina compare to other states on employment & worker protection?
North Carolina has a regulatory strictness score of 17/100, based on 1 enacted regulation out of 1 tracked. Nationally, 51 states have enacted employment & worker protection laws. Visit our state comparison page for a full ranking.
Where can I read the full text of North Carolina Minimum Wage?
The official text of North Carolina Minimum Wage (N.C.G.S. 95-25.3) is available from the North Carolina legislature. PlainRegWatch links to the official source for every tracked regulation. We recommend reviewing the full statute alongside qualified legal counsel for compliance planning.
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Disclaimer: This summary is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Regulation details may have changed since last verification (2026-03-18). Always consult official sources and qualified legal counsel for compliance guidance.
Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.
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| Publisher | Kiznis Studio |
| Sources | Public state legislatures, IAPP, NCSL, and federal regulatory trackers |