NC Recovers Record $3.7 Million in Unpaid Wages
The North Carolina Department of Labor reports wage complaints are rising across the state, led by retail and restaurant workers.
Updated on Nov. 10, 2026 in Employment
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The North Carolina Department of Labor recovered a record $3.7 million in wages owed to employees last year. Complaints about unpaid wages have increased across the state, most often in retail, restaurants, and other hourly-paid jobs.
Why it matters
The recovery reflects workers who did not receive the pay their employers promised, and rising complaints show the issue is widening. Workers in North Carolina can file wage complaints directly with the state department.
The North Carolina Department of Labor recovered $3.7 million in owed wages last year, a record total, with nearly $14,000 of it in Craven County. The available figures do not state how many complaints were filed or how the recovery totals compare with prior years.
The players
North Carolina Department of Labor
The state agency whose Wage and Hour Bureau investigates wage claims and pursues recovery of money owed to workers under state law.
Farley
A North Carolina Department of Labor official who discussed rising wage complaints in an interview with Public Radio East.
The details
Complaints are most common in retail, restaurants, and other hourly-paid jobs. The Wage and Hour Bureau investigates unpaid wages, final paychecks, and illegal deductions under North Carolina's Wage and Hour Act, which also sets rules for when pay is due and how wage changes must be communicated.
Timeline
Last year: the Department of Labor recovered a record $3.7 million in unpaid wages.
Tuesday of publication week: Deputy Commissioner Farley discussed wage complaints with Public Radio East in New Bern.
Economics Context
The record recovery is being measured against North Carolina's Wage and Hour Act, which requires employers to pay promised wages and sets rules for final paychecks and wage changes. Rising complaints suggest enforcement of that act is drawing more worker claims.
Workers who believe they were not paid the agreed wage can file a complaint with the North Carolina Department of Labor and call 1-800-625-2267. Final paychecks and illegal deductions are among the wage violations the Wage and Hour Bureau investigates.
The takeaway
If you believe your employer has not paid the wages you were promised, document the agreement and contact the North Carolina Department of Labor's Wage and Hour Bureau.
Further reading
Explore more on Employment for related labor and wage coverage across North Carolina.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Public Radio East.
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