Federal labor standards continue to override Georgia’s lower state minimum wage.
Georgia’s official state minimum wage remains set at $5.15 per hour, one of the lowest statutory rates in the country. However, most workers in the state are legally covered by the federal minimum wage of $7.25 per hour, which supersedes Georgia’s lower rate.
Under federal law, employers engaged in interstate commerce or generating at least $500,000 in annual revenue must comply with the federal minimum wage established by the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). As a result, the vast majority of Georgia employees earn at least $7.25 per hour, despite the lower state statute.
Georgia has not updated its state minimum wage law since 2001, when it was aligned with the federal rate at that time. When the federal government later increased the minimum wage to $7.25 in 2009, Georgia did not amend its statute. Instead, federal law effectively governs wage standards across the state.
Tipped Workers
Georgia does not establish a separate tipped minimum wage under state law. Consequently, the federal tipped wage of $2.13 per hour applies to qualifying employees who customarily receive gratuities, such as restaurant servers and bartenders.
Under federal rules, employers must ensure that tipped workers’ combined hourly wages and tips equal at least $7.25 per hour. If tips do not bring earnings up to that threshold, employers are required to make up the difference.
Ongoing Debate
Minimum wage policy remains a topic of debate among state lawmakers, business groups, and worker advocates. Supporters of increasing the wage argue that a higher minimum would help workers keep pace with rising housing, healthcare, and living costs. Opponents contend that raising wage floors could increase operating costs for small businesses and potentially impact hiring.
While several states have enacted minimum wages above the federal standard, Georgia continues to rely on federal law as the effective wage floor.
For now, most hourly workers in Georgia are entitled to the federal minimum wage of $7.25 per hour, with federal tipped wage rules also governing the hospitality industry.