Labor Day 2026: North Carolina tops business rankings but ranks last for workers in Oxfam index

# The headline: strong business climate, weak worker protections North Carolina continues to appear near the top of national business rankings, but Oxfam's 2026 Best States to Work Index places the state last for workers. The nonprofit evaluated 37 policies covering wages, worker protections, paid leave, and the right to organize.

# What Oxfam found Oxfam's analysis looks at measures that affect how far wages go toward household costs. Patricia Stottlemyer, Oxfam America's policy director, said the report examined how wages compare to the cost of living for a family of four. In North Carolina, the minimum wage remains at the federal level—$7.25 per hour—and the report says that meets 19% of those costs.

# Policy gaps highlighted The index points to several policy shortfalls in North Carolina: stagnant minimum wage, absence of statewide paid family and medical leave, lack of paid sick leave, limited protections for domestic workers, and weak caregiver discrimination protections. The state's right-to-work laws also limit collective bargaining power, the index says.

In Transylvania County, KC Collins, who works two jobs, said the local tourism-based economy produces seasonal pay and instability—conditions worsened by recent storms. Collins summarized the disconnect: being a top state for business means little if workers cannot afford housing and stable incomes.

Durham certified nursing assistant Ieisha Francis highlighted rising grocery and utility costs that squeeze modest wages. The article cites an average annual pay for CNAs in Durham County at just under $38,000 (ZipRecruiter). Francis also noted growing visible homelessness among working people.

# Economic and political context Republican state lawmakers have resisted raising the minimum wage, arguing that few people actually earn it and that labor demand is pushing pay higher. Advocates counter that wage pressure varies by geography and sector, especially in rural areas.

Alex Campbell, policy analyst with the North Carolina Budget & Tax Center, offered a specific policy benchmark: increasing the minimum wage to two-thirds of the national median wage would raise average annual pay by about $6,100 for affected workers and benefit roughly one-third of the state's workforce.

# Why business rankings and worker rankings diverge Business rankings often emphasize metrics that attract employers—taxes, regulatory environment, incentives, and workforce size. Worker-focused metrics measure wage adequacy, access to leave and protections, and collective bargaining rights. North Carolina scores well on the former and poorly on the latter, creating a policy tension visible in the Oxfam findings and in worker testimony.

# Immediate implications The Oxfam ranking adds pressure on state policymakers and fuels advocacy calls for higher wages, paid leave, and stronger workplace protections. It also suggests that economic growth measured by business-attraction metrics may not translate into broadly shared affordability or job quality.

# Bottom line North Carolina's business-friendly reputation sits alongside significant shortcomings in policies that determine whether working families can afford housing, food, health care, and basic stability. The state's minimum wage, leave policies, and limits on collective bargaining are central targets for advocates seeking to improve worker outcomes.