Struggling to keep up with payroll and HR in North Carolina? From local ordinances to statewide labor laws, we’ll help you save time and focus on growing your business.
Payroll services in North Carolina
How Paylocity helps North Carolina employers
Payroll that gets it done
- Seamless automation: Eliminate repetitive tasks with automated workflows that boost accuracy and save time.
- Smart safeguards: Built-in audits and integrations flag issues before they become errors.
- Transparent calculations: Easily manage overtime, bonuses, and local tax changes, even across overlapping jurisdictions.
Your extra HR team member
- Automated workflows: Use ready-made templates for common tasks or build custom processes that fit your business.
- One employee record: A single source of truth for employee data keeps everything organized and compliant.
- Effortless Time & Labor: Schedule quickly, track clock-ins and meal breaks, and standardize time-off requests.
Compliance made simple
- Compliance dashboard: Get a clear view of requirements with updated forms and expert HR support.
- Built-in data access: Quickly find work authorizations, EEO/FLSA data, pay records, certifications, and industry updates.
- Always up-to-date forms: Access the latest state and federal forms right from the platform.
Challenges facing employers in North Carolina
North Carolina maintains a complex compliance landscape that requires a careful balance between federal standards and state mandates.
As an employer, you must grapple with:
- Stricter employment regulations ranging from pay equity to E-Verify use.
- State-specific overtime pay rules.
- Additional safety and health requirements under the North Carolina State OSHA plan.
North Carolina payroll fast facts
Minimum wage
$7.25
State income tax rate
3.99%
Right to work laws
Yes
State unemployment tax rate
- 1.00% (new employers)
- 0.06% - 5.76% (experienced employers)
Last updated: February 23, 2026
North Carolina tax and compliance resources
FAQs about paying employees in North Carolina
Does North Carolina have a state income tax?
Yes, North Carolina state income tax uses a flat rate of 3.99%, meaning it applies to all taxpayers regardless of their income levels.
Is North Carolina a right to work state?
Yes, North Carolina is a right to work state under N.C. Gen. Stat. § 95-78 through §95-84.
What are the North Carolina final pay laws?
In North Carolina, employees who voluntarily resign from a job must receive their final paycheck by the next regular payday, unless wages are based on bonuses, commissions, or similar calculations. In such cases, the final amount must be paid on the first regular payday after those amounts can be calculated. Involuntarily terminated employees must receive their final paycheck by the next regular payday.
Are there North Carolina work break laws?
No, North Carolina currently has no laws regarding work breaks.
More than just payroll
Why employers in North Carolina choose Paylocity
Data-driven decisions help boost employee engagement
Armed with Paylocity's tools and platforms, North Carolina real estate firm Blue Ridge Companies deepened its understanding of how to drive employee engagement.
