NC House bill aims to raise state minimum wage starting in 2026; here's how much
RALEIGH, N.C. (WNCN) — A House bill filed this week looks to raise the state's minimum wage to $10.00 per hour in 2026, and then increase every year following that for at least four years.
Right now, the state's minimum wage is $7.25 an hour.
House Bill 353 would make it $10.00 an hour effective January 1, 2026. If signed into law, the bill would also raise $2.00 per hour every year until at least 2030, making minimum wage $18.00 an hour on January 1, 2030.
After that, the amount would be determined annually by the Commissioner of Labor.
The bill, called the Fair Minimum Wage Act, was sponsored by Democratic Representative Marcia Morey.
According to the U.S. Department of Labor, Washington, D.C. has the highest minimum wage in the country at $17.50. NC is among several states with the same minimum wage as Federal.
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