North Carolina's minimum wage equals the federal rate of $7.25 per hour under NCGS §95-25.3. State law preempts Raleigh and Wake County from setting higher local minimums, leaving Triangle workers without city-level wage floors.
NCGS §95-25.3 sets the state minimum wage at the greater of $6.15 or the federal Fair Labor Standards Act rate, currently $7.25. NCGS §95-25.1(c), commonly called the Wage and Hour Act preemption clause, prevents counties and municipalities from establishing different minimum wages, paid leave, or scheduling rules for private employers. Tipped employees may be paid $2.13 if tips bring earnings to $7.25 (NCGS §95-25.3(f)). Youth workers under 20 may earn $4.25 for the first 90 days. Raleigh's living wage applies only to city employees and contractors.
Paying below $7.25, failing to make tipped employees whole, or violating youth-wage timing triggers NC Department of Labor investigations, back-wage orders, double damages under §95-25.22, and potential criminal misdemeanor charges for willful violations.
See how Raleigh's minimum wage preemption rules stack up against other locations.
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