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North Carolina ranked last in the nation for worker experience in the 2026 Best States to Work Index

North Carolina was ranked the worst state in the nation for workers in the 2026 Best States to Work Index released by the nonprofit Oxfam. The report evaluated 37 policies across 50 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico, focusing on three primary areas: wage policies, worker protections, and the right to organize. North Carolina ranked second to last in wage policies and earned a score of zero for the right to organize. The state's minimum wage of $7.25 has remained unchanged since 2009, and the report states that this wage covers only 19% of the cost of living for a family of four. The index also highlighted North Carolina's lack of policies regarding paid family and medical leave, paid sick leave, and protections for domestic workers. While neighboring states like Virginia and South Carolina ranked higher, California ranked first overall. In the Best States for Working Women Index, North Carolina and Mississippi ranked at the bottom of the list.

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