North Carolina Paycheck Calculator
Estimate North Carolina take-home pay quickly. Enter salary or hourly details, deductions, contributions, and frequency to view instant results now.
North Carolina Income Tax Rate
North Carolina uses a statewide flat personal income tax that has stepped down over time. Employers begin with gross pay, subtract pre-tax benefits—traditional 401(k), Section 125 health premiums, HSA/FSA, and commuter plans—to reach taxable wages. Payroll then withholds federal income tax, FICA, and North Carolina state income tax using your NC-4 elections and pay frequency. Supplemental wages (bonuses/commissions) may be withheld using percentage or aggregate methods aligned with federal rules. North Carolina cities do not add employee-paid wage income taxes, so your main statutory layers are federal and state. The table shows the flat rate trend; your effective rate is typically lower after deductions, credits, and pre-tax benefits reduce taxable income across the year.
| Year | Flat Rate |
|---|---|
| 2016 | 5.75% |
| 2017 | 5.499% |
| 2018 | 5.499% |
| 2019 | 5.25% |
| 2020 | 5.25% |
| 2021 | 5.25% |
| 2022 | 4.99% |
| 2023 | 4.75% |
| 2024 | 4.60% |
| 2025 | 4.50% (scheduled) |
North Carolina Median Household Income
North Carolina’s median household income has risen steadily, supported by advanced manufacturing, life sciences, finance/fintech, logistics, higher education, defense, agriculture, and a growing tech ecosystem in the Research Triangle and Charlotte. Pandemic volatility slowed gains briefly, then nominal incomes resumed growth as labor markets tightened statewide. Use the values below as directional, nominal benchmarks for budgeting and offer comparisons. For purchasing power, evaluate “real” (inflation-adjusted) dollars and regional cost differences—housing, transportation, childcare, and insurance vary notably between Charlotte, the Triangle, Triad, and coastal or rural counties. Household size and employer benefits (health coverage, retirement match) materially affect take-home value across North Carolina communities.
| Year | Income |
|---|---|
| 2016 | $51,000 |
| 2017 | $53,200 |
| 2018 | $55,800 |
| 2019 | $57,400 |
| 2020 | $58,800 |
| 2021 | $61,600 |
| 2022 | $64,300 |
| 2023 | $66,900 |
| 2024 | $68,400 |
| 2025 | $69,700 (prelim.) |
North Carolina Federal Insurance Contributions Act (FICA)
FICA applies uniformly in North Carolina. Employees pay 6.2% Social Security on wages up to the federal wage base (employers match) and 1.45% Medicare on all wages (also matched). High earners owe an additional 0.9% Medicare surtax above federal thresholds; employers do not match that surtax. Section 125 health premiums usually reduce both income-tax and FICA wages; traditional 401(k) reduces income-tax wages but not FICA. North Carolina pay stubs typically itemize Social Security, Medicare, federal withholding, state withholding, pre- and post-tax deductions, and year-to-date totals—helpful for verifying accuracy after raises, life events, or benefit changes.
North Carolina Number of Cities with Local Income Taxes
North Carolina municipalities do not levy employee-paid local wage income taxes. Withholding typically includes federal income tax, FICA, and North Carolina state income tax only.
| Locality | Resident Rate | Nonresident Rate |
|---|---|---|
| All North Carolina cities/counties | None | None |
How Your North Carolina Paycheck Works
Your paycheck starts with gross wages per period. Payroll subtracts pre-tax benefits—traditional 401(k), HSA/FSA, Section 125 health premiums, and eligible commuter benefits—to reach taxable wages. Withholding then includes federal income tax (W-4), FICA (Social Security and Medicare), and North Carolina state income tax (NC-4). Because there are no employee local wage taxes, layers are simpler than in many states. Post-tax items—Roth 401(k), garnishments, union dues, charitable gifts—come out after taxes and do not reduce taxable wages. Pay frequency (weekly, biweekly, semimonthly, monthly) changes cash-flow timing but not annual tax owed; review stubs after life events or major benefit updates.
North Carolina Wage and Hour Laws: Overtime, Pay Frequency
Overtime: North Carolina follows FLSA—most non-exempt employees earn 1.5× their regular rate for hours worked over
40 in a workweek; exemptions apply where duties and salary thresholds are met.
Pay frequency: Employers must establish regular paydays and pay on consistent intervals (commonly biweekly or semimonthly). State rules
also address timely final pay and itemized wage statements; confirm specifics in employer policies and agreements.
FAQs
How do I use the North Carolina Paycheck Calculator?
Enter gross pay, schedule, W-4/NC-4 details, and deductions to estimate federal, FICA, and North Carolina withholding.
What is North Carolina’s current income tax rate?
North Carolina uses a flat rate that has been stepping down; see the 10-year table for recent levels.
Do any North Carolina cities tax wages?
No. Municipalities do not levy employee wage income taxes in North Carolina.
Why did my North Carolina withholding change this year?
Rate updates, new NC-4, raises, overtime, or benefits can alter per-check withholding.
Do 401(k) and HSA contributions reduce my taxes?
Yes—both reduce income-tax wages; traditional 401(k) does not reduce FICA, many Section 125 health premiums do.
How are bonuses withheld in North Carolina?
Employers may use percentage or aggregate federal methods; North Carolina withholding applies per current state guidance.
What appears on a North Carolina pay stub?
Federal tax, Social Security, Medicare, NC state tax, pre/post-tax deductions, YTD totals, and net pay.
How often must I be paid in North Carolina?
Employers pay on regular, published schedules—biweekly or semimonthly are common—subject to wage-payment rules.
Are tips taxable in North Carolina?
Yes. Reported tips are subject to federal income tax, FICA, and North Carolina state income tax.