Georgia minimum wage 2025: $5.15/hr
Current Georgia minimum wage for non-tipped workers, tipped workers, overtime rules, exemptions, scheduled increases, and how $5.15/hr compares to the federal rate and to other US states. Verified against Georgia's labor department.
Data last updated: Jan 15, 2025Key Takeaways
- Georgia minimum wage: $5.15/hr (effective 2001-01-01).
- Tipped minimum: $2.13/hr.
- State rate is below federal $7.25/hr; federal applies to FLSA-covered workers.
- No scheduled increases.
What is the minimum wage in Georgia?
The $Georgia minimum wage is $5.15 per hour as of 2001-01-01. A full-time employee working 40 hours per week at this rate earns approximately $10,712 per year in gross pay before taxes.
Georgia's state rate of $5.15/hr is below the federal minimum of $7.25/hr. Most workers in Georgia are covered by the federal Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), which requires employers to pay the higher of the two rates. In practice, most $Georgia workers earn at least the federal $$7.25/hr.
Tipped minimum wage in Georgia
Georgia allows employers to pay tipped employees a reduced base wage of $2.13/hr, provided that tips bring the employee's total hourly earnings to at least the full state minimum of $5.15/hr. This is called a "tip credit."
If a tipped employee's tips fall short of the standard minimum wage for any pay period, the employer must make up the difference. Example: a server earns $2.13/hr base plus $2.02/hr in tips during a slow shift. Because total earnings ($4.15/hr) are below the $5.15/hr standard minimum, the employer owes the difference.
How Georgia compares nationally
Across all 51 US jurisdictions, minimum wage ranges from $5.15/hr (Wyoming, the lowest) to $17.50/hr (District of Columbia, the highest). Georgia sits at #50 of 51, meaning it's in the bottom quarter.
Local minimum wages in Georgia
None. State preemption applies.
If a city or county has a higher local minimum wage, employers in that jurisdiction must pay the higher local rate. State law is a floor, not a ceiling, for local minimum wage ordinances.
Overtime rules in Georgia
Federal FLSA rules apply. Georgia does not have a state overtime law.
Minimum wage exemptions
Workers not covered by the FLSA may be subject to the lower state rate. Standard federal exemptions otherwise apply.
What to do if you're underpaid
Underpayment below the legal minimum is a wage-and-hour law violation. Your options:
- File a state wage claim. The $Georgia labor department accepts wage claims and can pursue unpaid wages, penalties, and liquidated damages on your behalf. See the source links below for direct links.
- File a federal Department of Labor complaint. The US DOL Wage and Hour Division handles FLSA violations. Federal filings have a 2-year statute of limitations (3 years for willful violations).
- Consult an employment lawyer. Significant underpayment or retaliation claims often warrant a private attorney. Many employment lawyers work on contingency. See our Georgia employment lawyer directory.
- Document everything. Save pay stubs, timesheets, and employer communications. The burden of proof for unpaid wages usually rests on the employee.
Frequently Asked Questions
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What is the minimum wage in Georgia in 2025?
The Georgia minimum wage is $5.15 per hour for non-tipped workers, effective 2001-01-01. This is below the federal minimum of $7.25/hr, so federal law requires Georgia employers covered by the FLSA to pay the federal rate of $7.25/hr. Georgia ranks #50 of 51 US jurisdictions by minimum wage level.
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What is the tipped minimum wage in Georgia?
The Georgia tipped minimum wage is $2.13 per hour. Employers can pay tipped employees this lower rate as long as tips bring their total hourly earnings up to at least the full state minimum wage ($5.15/hr). If tips don't make up the difference, the employer must cover the gap. The federal tipped minimum is $2.13/hr, so states with no separate tipped wage effectively require employers to pay the full minimum up front.
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Does Georgia pay higher than the federal minimum wage?
Georgia's state minimum of $5.15/hr is below the federal $7.25/hr. Employers covered by the federal Fair Labor Standards Act must pay the higher federal rate; the state rate only applies to workers not covered by federal law.
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How much is a full-time minimum-wage job in Georgia?
At $5.15/hr for a standard 40-hour week, a full-time minimum-wage worker in Georgia earns approximately $10,712/year gross before taxes. Take-home pay varies by local tax rate, employee benefits, and whether the employer offers paid leave. Overtime hours (over 40/week, or in some states over 8/day) are paid at time-and-a-half or more.
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Are there local minimum wages in Georgia that differ from the state rate?
Yes. None. State preemption applies. When a local ordinance sets a higher minimum wage, employers in that jurisdiction must pay the higher local rate. Check your specific city or county's ordinance if you work in an urban area.
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Are minimum wage increases scheduled in Georgia?
Georgia does not currently have scheduled future increases on the books. Changes to the minimum wage require new legislation or a state commission adjustment.
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What happens if my employer pays less than the Georgia minimum wage?
Underpayment is a violation of state and federal wage-and-hour law. Remedies usually include recovery of unpaid wages, interest, liquidated damages (often doubling the amount owed), and attorney's fees. You can file a wage claim with the Georgia labor department, file a federal Department of Labor complaint, or bring a private lawsuit. The filing deadline varies; federal FLSA claims have a 2-year statute of limitations (3 years for willful violations). Consult a Georgia employment lawyer for significant underpayment claims.