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Hourly Wage Index
Discover how your pay practices stack up against other regions, positions, and industries. 
HOURLY WAGE INDEX

Let’s talk wages in Charlotte

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$7.25

What is the minimum wage in Charlotte?

The minimum wage in Charlotte, North Carolina is currently $7.25 per hour, the same as the federal minimum wage. This means that all employers in Charlotte, regardless of whether they are located in the city limits or not, are required to pay their employees at least $7.25 per hour.

The current minimum wage in Charlotte is lower than the national average of $7.25 per hour. However, it is higher than the minimum wages in some other states, such as Mississippi ($7.25 per hour) and Arkansas ($7.50 per hour). The minimum wage in Charlotte has not increased in recent years. It was last adjusted in 2008, when it was raised from $6.55 per hour to $7.25 per hour. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, an estimated 110,000 workers in Charlotte made less than $10.10 per hour in 2019. This means that about 10% of all workers in Charlotte were earning at or below the federal minimum wage.

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$17.14

What is the living wage in Charlotte?

Livable Wage in Charlotte

The cost of living in Charlotte is relatively high. A single adult with no children in Charlotte needs to earn at least $17.14 per hour to afford a basic living. This includes housing, food, transportation, healthcare, and other necessities.

For a family of four with two children, the living wage in Charlotte is $32.28 per hour.

Wages aren’t everything!

While pay is one of the main factors that hourly employees consider when choosing to join (or stay at) a company, it’s not the end all be all. Research shows that advancement opportunities, supportive management, and schedule flexibility are all incredibly important as well.

Want to learn more about this trend? We dive deep into the data behind which perks and benefits matter most to hourly workers. Check out our full conversation with expert Sara Wasserteil of Cara Collective.

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between gross wages and net wages?

It's important to remember that the Hourly Wage Index data above reflects gross wages, or the amount of money an employee earns before accounting for payroll deductions like taxes, benefits, or wage garnishments. Due to variability in tax rates across locations, slightly lower gross wages in a certain location might result in higher take home pay, or vice versa.

What is a good hourly wage?

This question is a difficult one to answer, as a "good hourly wage" is highly subjective according to experience, work responsibilities, cost of living, and other factors. We recommend using Hourly Wage Index data as a starting point. Once you have established a baseline for certain positions, do further research into similar businesses in your area.

Lastly, consider surveying your employees. They're the best resource to help you know what is a good hourly wage, what competitive pay looks like in your location, and how competitive wages change in your industry over time.

Offering competitive pay is one of my top priorities—what other resources do you have that might help?

We know that getting applicants to pay attention to your business can be extremely challenging, and that offering competitive pay is a huge part of that. Wages aren’t everything, however! Applicant experience is another important factor that can help set you apart from your competition. A few examples include:

  • Short, easy to understand job descriptions
  • Mobile-friendliness
  • Quick communication
  • Streamlined interview stages
Resources

Learn more about hiring and
retaining the hourly workforce

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We're here to help!

A Workstream hiring specialist can help you identify high impact ways to improve your applicant experience, and even help you determine what is a good hourly wage for your location and business.

Sign up for a free 30 minute chat with a hiring specialist now