Georgia minimum wage 2026–2027: $7.25 now
Georgia's own minimum wage is $5.15 an hour – below the federal rate – so employers covered by the Fair Labor Standards Act, which is nearly all of them, must pay the federal $7.25. No increase is scheduled. The rate will stay at $7.25 unless Congress raises the federal minimum wage or the state passes its own.
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Georgia minimum wage pay calculator
Georgia minimum wage rates
| Who | Rate | From | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Federal minimum wage | $7.25 | July 24, 2009 | official |
| State law rate (non-FLSA jobs) | $5.15 | – | DOL |
| Tipped workers (cash wage) | $2.13 | now | official |
When does the Georgia minimum wage go up?
No increase is scheduled. The rate will stay at $7.25 unless Congress raises the federal minimum wage or the state passes its own.
Tipped workers in Georgia
Employers may pay tipped workers a cash wage of $2.13 an hour and count up to $5.12 of tips toward the minimum wage, as long as wages plus tips reach $7.25 for every hour; otherwise the employer pays the difference.
Who is covered, and who can be paid less
Employers with 6 or more employees; the state law does not cover jobs under the federal FLSA. Georgia publishes no separate youth rate; the federal law allows $4.25 for workers under 20 in their first 90 days only where the state rate does not apply. Jobs covered by the federal Fair Labor Standards Act never get less than $7.25.
Georgia minimum wage history
On January 1, 2020 the Georgia minimum wage was $5.15; today it is $7.25 – up $2.10, or 40.8%.
| January 1 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 | 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Georgia | $5.15 | $5.15 | $5.15 | $5.15 | $5.15 | $5.15 | $5.15 |
How Georgia compares
Georgia ranks tied 32th with 19 others of the 50 states and D.C. The average statewide minimum wage is $11.53; Georgia's $7.25 is $4.28 below it. Neighbors: Alabama $7.25, Florida $15.00, North Carolina $7.25, South Carolina $7.25, Tennessee $7.25.
Overtime and pay rules
Overtime: Federal rule: over 40 hours a week, at one and a half times the regular rate. A full-time week at the minimum wage pays $290.00; with 5 overtime hours it is $344.38.
Good to know
- Georgia's own $5.15 rate applies only to employers of 6 or more that are not covered by the federal law; most jobs fall under the federal $7.25 (DOL).
Where to get help
Georgia has no state agency enforcing a minimum wage. Unpaid minimum wage or overtime is reported to the U.S. Department of Labor, Wage and Hour Division (no state minimum wage enforcement). The U.S. Department of Labor's Wage and Hour Division takes complaints in every state at 1-866-487-9243, and your name is kept confidential.
Georgia minimum wage questions
What is the minimum wage in Georgia right now?
$7.25 an hour for most adult workers. Georgia's own minimum wage is $5.15 an hour – below the federal rate – so employers covered by the Fair Labor Standards Act, which is nearly all of them, must pay the federal $7.25.
What will the Georgia minimum wage be in 2027?
It stays at $7.25 – no change is scheduled for 2027.
What is the tipped minimum wage in Georgia?
Employers may pay tipped workers a cash wage of $2.13 an hour and count up to $5.12 of tips toward the minimum wage, as long as wages plus tips reach $7.25 for every hour; otherwise the employer pays the difference.
How much is the Georgia minimum wage per year?
At $7.25 an hour and 40 hours a week, $290.00 a week, about $1,257 a month and $15,080 a year before taxes.
Where do I report unpaid minimum wage in Georgia?
Georgia has no state agency that enforces a minimum wage, so file with the U.S. Department of Labor, Wage and Hour Division (no state minimum wage enforcement) – or with the U.S. Department of Labor's Wage and Hour Division (1-866-487-9243). Keep your pay stubs and a record of your hours.
Other states
Sources: U.S. Department of Labor, Wage and Hour Division – State Minimum Wage Laws, Consolidated Minimum Wage Table and Minimum Wages for Tipped Employees (July 1, 2026 editions), the DOL's history table, and each state's and city's own labor department pages, linked on every state page. Checked October 16, 2026. Rates are for most adult, non-exempt workers; some jobs, industries and employers are exempt or have other rates. This is general information, not legal advice – the state labor department has the final word.