In NC for a 9 hr day, does the employer have to give an hour lunch by law? All of the employees are exempt, salaried employees. For example, if someone works 8am-5pm, by law does their employer have to give them an hour lunch break?

In NC, they do not need to give you any kind of break no matter how long a day you work. Neither NC nor Federal law requires that you be given any breaks at all.

NO state requires an hour lunch break, ever.