Verified against official state labor departments Updated for 2026

North Carolina Overtime Laws (2026)

How overtime pay works in North Carolina: the hourly threshold, the time-and-a-half and double-time rules, who is covered, and a calculator.

Updated for 2026 Last verified: Jul 6, 2026 40-hour week

In North Carolina, non-exempt employees must be paid time and a half for hours worked over 40 in a workweek, matching the federal Fair Labor Standards Act. North Carolina does not add a daily overtime rule.

Premium pay is required after 45 hours per week at seasonal amusement or recreational establishments.

Overtime rules in North Carolina

TypeRequirement
Weekly40 hours (1.5x)

At the North Carolina minimum wage of $7.25, the overtime rate is $10.88 an hour (1.5×).

North Carolina overtime calculator

Enter your rate and hours to see your overtime and total pay for the week.

Regular pay
$0
Overtime pay
$0
Total (this week)
$0
Note: figures are gross pay before taxes. Some states (like California) require daily overtime, so a long single day can add more than the weekly total shown here.

Who is covered

Most hourly employees are non-exempt, which means they must be paid overtime. The main exemptions under the Fair Labor Standards Act are bona fide executive, administrative, professional, outside sales, and certain computer employees who are paid on a salary basis above the federal threshold. Job title alone does not decide it, the actual duties and pay do.

Common questions

North Carolina overtime FAQ

How is overtime calculated in North Carolina?
Overtime is required after 40 hours (1.5x) in a week. Premium pay is required after 45 hours per week at seasonal amusement or recreational establishments.
Is overtime paid after 8 hours or 40 hours in North Carolina?
North Carolina follows the 40-hour weekly standard. There is no daily overtime rule, so overtime starts after 40 hours in a week.
Who is exempt from overtime in North Carolina?
Common exemptions under the Fair Labor Standards Act include bona fide executive, administrative, professional, outside sales, and certain computer employees who are paid on a salary basis above the federal threshold. Many hourly workers are non-exempt and must be paid overtime.
Can my employer make me work overtime in North Carolina?
In most cases yes. Employers can generally require overtime, but non-exempt employees must be paid the overtime rate for it.
Where can I find the official North Carolina overtime rules?
The North Carolina Department of Labor publishes the official rules, linked on this page.

David Scott compiles and verifies minimum wage rates, tipped wages, and overtime rules from official state and federal labor department sources, and re-checks every page when rates change. See how the data is sourced.