North Carolina Officials Push Bill To Raise Minimum Wage to $18 by 2030

Democratic lawmakers introduced new legislation on March 10 that would raise North Carolina's minimum wage to $18 per hour. Their Fair Minimum Wage Act lays out gradual increases beginning in 2026.

Workers have been stuck at $7.25 since 2009 when federal rates were last updated. The new plan would start with $10 hourly wages in 2026, with $2 increases each year until 2030.

After 2030, wages would adjust with inflation. Each fall, the state's labor commissioner would set new rates based on consumer prices and economic conditions.

The increases would roll out over five years: $12 in 2027, then $14, $16, and finally $18 in 2030. This gradual approach gives businesses time to adjust their finances and hiring plans.

The bill would strengthen penalties for wage theft. It beefs up existing worker protections, making it tougher for employers to withhold pay.

Previous efforts to raise wages have hit Republican roadblocks. With the GOP still holding power, this bill faces an uphill battle.

Charlotte representatives Aisha Dew, Jordan Lopez, and Nasif Majeed support the bill. They represent North Carolina's largest economic hub.

Currently, servers and bartenders can earn just $2.13 per hour before tips. While employers must make up the difference if tips don't reach minimum wage, this bill doesn't address that system.