StateTally

North Carolina Child Support Calculator (2026)

North Carolina’s Child Support Guidelines (AOC‑A‑162, Rev. 1/23) and G.S. 50‑13.4(c) require an income‑shares calculation that starts with both parents’ monthly adjusted gross incomes, looks up a basic support amount in the state’s schedule, and then applies the paying parent’s income share. The schedule runs from $1,300 to $40,000 of combined monthly income in $50 increments, with a $50 presumptive minimum and special low‑income rules.

Reviewed 2026-09-11 · Estimates only — not legal or financial advice. Figures pending final verification against the current statute/schedule. · Ver esta página en español

The parent who will pay support (usually the one with less parenting time). Monthly gross income after the state's own adjustments (for example, support paid for other children).
The parent who receives support. Both incomes are added to find the schedule amount.
The law behind this calculator: North Carolina schedule of basic support obligations (income shares, combined adjusted gross income) — N.C. Child Support Guidelines, Schedule of Basic Support Obligations (AOC-A-162, Rev. 1/23, eff. Jan. 1, 2023); G.S. 50-13.4(c).

How North Carolina calculates it

  • Add the monthly adjusted gross incomes of both parents to get the combined income.
  • Find the basic child‑support obligation for that combined income and the number of children in North Carolina’s schedule (interpolating between rows as the statute directs).
  • Calculate the paying parent’s share of the combined income (paying parent income ÷ combined income).
  • Multiply the schedule amount by that share to get the paying parent’s basic support obligation.
  • If combined income exceeds $40,000, no additional percentage is added; the court sets support under G.S. 50‑13.4(c).
  • Child‑care, health‑insurance, and parenting‑time adjustments are added later and are not part of the basic figure.

Worked example

In the example, the paying parent earns $4,000 per month adjusted gross income and the other parent earns $2,500, giving a combined monthly adjusted gross income of $6,500. For two children the 2023 schedule lists a basic obligation of $1,573 for that combined income. The paying parent’s share of the combined income is 61.5%, so the basic support owed is 61.5% × $1,573 = $968 per month before any child‑care, health‑insurance, or parenting‑time adjustments.

Frequently asked questions

How does North Carolina calculate the basic child‑support amount?

North Carolina uses the income‑shares model: combine both parents’ monthly adjusted gross incomes, look up the basic support amount for that combined income and the number of children in the schedule, then multiply that amount by the paying parent’s share of the combined income.

What is the minimum child‑support order in North Carolina?

The presumptive minimum order is $50 per month. If the paying parent’s own income is under $1,150, the $50 minimum applies regardless of the schedule.

Does income over $40,000 affect the percentage calculation?

For combined monthly incomes above $40,000 the statute adds 0% for any number of children; support is set by the court under G.S. 50‑13.4(c) rather than the schedule.

Are child‑care and health‑insurance costs included in the basic support figure?

No. Child‑care expenses, health‑insurance premiums and parenting‑time adjustments are added separately after the basic support amount is calculated.

How does the low‑income self‑support reserve work?

In the shaded low‑income area the schedule builds in a self‑support reserve tied to the federal poverty level, and the obligation is computed on the paying parent’s income alone. The calculator follows the standard schedule and does not apply that special rule.

Is the calculation different in Charlotte, Raleigh or Greensboro?

No. N.C. Child Support Guidelines, Schedule of Basic Support Obligations (AOC-A-162, Rev. 1/23, eff. Jan. 1, 2023); G.S. 50-13.4(c) sets one statewide guideline, so a case in Charlotte, Raleigh, Greensboro uses the same percentages as anywhere else in North Carolina. Judges everywhere in the state may deviate only with written findings.

Embed this calculator

Attorneys, HR teams, and publishers: add this calculator to your own site free — copy the snippet below. Keep the credit line under the calculator: it links your readers to the source and its review date.

Child Support by city in North Carolina

North Carolina applies one rule statewide, so the numbers do not change by city. These pages name the county court that actually hears the case and run the same verified formula.

Charlotte · Raleigh · Greensboro · Durham · Winston-Salem · Fayetteville · Cary · Wilmington · High Point · Concord · Greenville · Asheville · Gastonia · Apex · Jacksonville · every city we cover

More calculators

Cite this page

Using these figures in an article, brief or report? Copy a citation — the link keeps readers on the source and its review date.

StateTally. (2026). North Carolina Child Support Calculator (2026). Retrieved September 17, 2026, from https://statetally.com/child-support/north-carolina/