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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.
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.
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.
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.
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: