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North Carolina Labor Laws 2025

North Carolina labor law primarily follows federal standards with the federal minimum wage, meal break requirements for minors under 16, semi-monthly pay requirements, and has been a Right to Work state since 1947.

Note: North Carolina follows the federal minimum wage of $7.25/hour and relies on federal FLSA for most labor law requirements. The state requires meal breaks for employees under 16 (30 minutes for shifts over 5 hours) but has no break requirements for adults.

Minimum Wage

North Carolina follows the federal minimum wage with no state minimum wage law above federal levels.

Key Requirements

  • State minimum wage: $7.25 per hour (same as federal minimum)
  • Tipped employees: $2.13/hour cash wage (with tip credit to reach $7.25)
  • Applies to all employers regardless of size
  • Most employers are covered by federal FLSA
  • No scheduled increases beyond federal changes

Additional Resources

Overtime

North Carolina follows federal overtime requirements under the FLSA with no additional state requirements.

Key Requirements

  • Overtime pay: 1.5x regular rate for hours worked over 40 in a workweek
  • No daily overtime requirement (calculated weekly)
  • Standard FLSA exemptions apply (executive, administrative, professional)
  • No state-specific overtime laws beyond federal requirements
  • Workweek is seven consecutive 24-hour periods

Additional Resources

Meal and Rest Breaks

North Carolina requires meal breaks for employees under 16 but not for adults.

Key Requirements

  • Minors under 16: 30-minute break for shifts over 5 consecutive hours
  • Adult employees: No state-mandated meal or rest break requirements
  • If breaks are voluntarily provided, federal rules apply
  • Short breaks (5-20 minutes) must be paid if provided
  • Nursing mothers have right to express milk (federal requirement)

Additional Resources

Payment of Wages

North Carolina has specific requirements for wage payment frequency and timing.

Key Requirements

  • Employees must be paid at least semi-monthly (twice per month)
  • Payment must be made on regular paydays designated by employer
  • Final wages: Must be paid by next regular payday
  • Certain wage deductions require written authorization
  • Direct deposit allowed with employee written authorization

Additional Resources

Child Labor

North Carolina has comprehensive restrictions on youth employment.

Key Requirements

  • Youth Employment Certificates required for minors under 18
  • Ages 14-15: Limited to 3 hours per school day, 18 hours per week during school
  • Ages 14-15: 8 hours per day, 40 hours per week when school not in session
  • Ages 16-17: No hour restrictions but hazardous occupation restrictions apply
  • Minors under 16 cannot work before 7am or after 7pm (9pm summer)

Additional Resources

Right to Work

North Carolina is a "Right to Work" state since 1947.

Key Requirements

  • Employees cannot be required to join a union as a condition of employment
  • Employers cannot require union dues or fees as a condition of employment
  • Protected by North Carolina General Statutes Chapter 95, Article 2A
  • Does not prohibit unions or collective bargaining
  • One of the first states to adopt Right to Work

Additional Resources

North Carolina Right to Work History

North Carolina has a long history as a Right to Work state:

  • Adopted Right to Work in 1947
  • Protected by NC General Statutes Chapter 95, Article 2A
  • Workers cannot be compelled to join a union or pay union dues
  • Union security agreements are prohibited

Break Requirements

North Carolina has limited break requirements:

Minors under 16: Must receive a 30-minute meal break for shifts over 5 consecutive hours.

Adults (16+): No state-mandated break requirements. Employers may voluntarily provide breaks, and if they do, short breaks (5-20 minutes) must be paid.

Youth Employment Certificates

North Carolina requires employment certificates for young workers:

  • Required for all workers under 18 years old
  • Obtained through the minor's school or local board of education
  • Employer must keep certificate on file
  • Strict hour restrictions apply for workers under 16

Federal Laws Apply

Since North Carolina has minimal state-specific labor laws, employers must focus on federal compliance:

FLSA

Fair Labor Standards Act governs minimum wage, overtime, recordkeeping, and youth employment.

FMLA

Family and Medical Leave Act provides job-protected leave for eligible employees.

ADA

Americans with Disabilities Act prohibits discrimination and requires reasonable accommodations.

Title VII

Prohibits employment discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin.

Ensure Federal Labor Compliance in North Carolina

Rightwork ensures your schedules comply with all federal labor laws including FLSA overtime, minimum wage, and child labor restrictions, as well as North Carolina's youth employment certificate requirements.

Learn More About Rightwork