North Carolina is still the "worst" state to work, Oxfam reports
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Here's a ranking no one is boasting about: North Carolina is, again, the "worst" state for workers.
Why it matters: As Axios reported earlier in August, CNBC crowned North Carolina as the No. 1 state for business. But it's continually ranked the "worst" place for workers — an unwanted title that the business news source acknowledges in its own report.
The latest: Ahead of Labor Day, Oxfam International updated its "Best States to Work Index." North Carolina made no strides in improving its status between 2024 and 2025, as anticipated.
- For the fifth year, North Carolina is at the bottom, followed by Mississippi (No. 51), Alabama (No. 50), Georgia (No. 49) and Tennessee (No. 48).
- The organization, whose mission is to "end poverty and injustice," notes that most states didn't move much from the 2024 index.
How it works: Oxfam's index is based on wages, worker protections and rights to organize.
- North Carolina notably ranked the lowest in the wage category, with an hourly minimum wage of $7.25, the same as the federal minimum wage, which has been unchanged since 2009. (Critics argue raising it in North Carolina would lead to higher costs for employers and fewer hours for workers.)
- The Tar Heel state also fails to meet the organization's criteria for most other policies, including: paid pumping breaks for breastfeeding workers, paid family and sick leave, state protections against sexual harassment in the workplace, and heat standards for outdoor workers.
The other side: State labor commissioner Luke Farley previously told Axios the "best" states to work are the ones people are moving from to North Carolina.
- California, for example, is the No. 2 state. New York holds the fourth spot.
- "What that tells me is Oxfam is out of touch with the realities on the ground," Farley said. "North Carolina is a place that people see as a land of opportunity."
Reality check: You can be a good state for business and workers.
- Virginia, for example, typically rivals North Carolina on CNBC's list. This year it earned the No. 4 spot, while landing No. 23 on Oxfam's index.
- Oxfam grants points to Virginia for its $12.41 minimum wage, considerably higher than North Carolina's.