Payroll Services in North Carolina: Costs, Taxes and Best Providers (2026)
Payroll services for a North Carolina business cost $44 to $130 per month for 1 to 10 employees at entry-tier list prices as of November 2026, and every major provider files North Carolina payroll taxes. North Carolina has state income tax and no local payroll taxes, so entry-tier plans from any provider work.
Prices verified November 2026
What North Carolina employers must handle
North Carolina has a flat state income tax and no local payroll taxes, making it one of the easier Southeastern states.
| State income tax withholding | Yes |
| Local or special payroll taxes | None statewide |
| State unemployment insurance (SUTA) | Yes — every state; rate assigned to your business annually |
| Federal (FICA, FUTA, income tax) | Yes — handled by every provider listed |
| Where to register | NC Department of Revenue |
Minimum wage, SUTA rates and new-hire reporting deadlines change; check NC Department of Revenue for current figures. Every provider on this page files North Carolina payroll taxes.
Payroll prices for a North Carolina business
| Provider (entry plan) | Base / mo | Per employee | 1 emp. | 5 emp. | 10 emp. | 25 emp. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ADP — Essential (quote; est.) | $79 | $5 | $84* | $104* | $129* | $204* |
| Paychex — Flex Essentials (higher tiers quoted) | $39 | $5 | $44 | $64 | $89 | $164 |
| Gusto — Simple | $49 | $6 | $55 | $79 | $109 | $199 |
| OnPay — Payroll Essentials | $49 | $6 | $55 | $79 | $109 | $199 |
| QuickBooks Payroll — Workforce Payroll (Core) | $50 | $7 | $57 | $85 | $120 | $225 |
| Rippling — Platform (required) (higher tiers quoted) | $40 | $8 | $48 | $80 | $120 | $240 |
* Estimate for quote-only providers based on publicly reported quotes; ADP bills per pay run so a weekly payroll costs more. Prices are list prices before promotions.
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Get my quotesBest payroll providers for North Carolina employers
OnPay
Small businesses, farms, nonprofits and restaurants that want the lowest all-in price with no surprise fees, and free white-glove setup.
Gusto
Teams under 50 who want to run payroll themselves in a few clicks and get benefits, 401(k) and HR tools without a sales call.
Paychex
Owners who want a named human to call, businesses considering a PEO later, and anyone bundling payroll with workers' comp or retirement.
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- Prices verified November 2026
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Frequently asked questions
Does North Carolina have state income tax on wages?
Yes. North Carolina employers withhold state income tax from employee pay and remit it to NC Department of Revenue.
What is the cheapest payroll service in North Carolina?
OnPay and Gusto Simple both list at $49 per month plus $6 per person. Paychex Flex Essentials lists at $39 plus $5 but adds filing fees. Any entry-tier plan handles North Carolina.
Do I need to register my business for payroll in North Carolina?
Yes. Register with NC Department of Revenue and with the state unemployment agency before your first payroll. Your provider can file on your behalf but usually needs the account numbers from you.