Blog · Payroll Management
Georgia Minimum Wage 2026: Rates & Rules
Georgia's 2026 minimum wage is effectively the federal rate of $7.25 per hour; the state's own $5.15 rate is superseded by the FLSA for nearly all employers, according to the U.S. Department of Labor.
Georgia's dual-rate structure, an old state minimum wage that rarely governs in practice plus a size-based coverage threshold, is a common source of confusion for employers new to the state.
Georgia Minimum Wage Rate Table
| Jurisdiction | 2026 Minimum Wage |
|---|---|
| Georgia state rate (rarely applies) | $5.15 |
| Federal minimum wage (applies to most employers) | $7.25 |
Overtime Rules in Georgia
Georgia follows federal FLSA overtime rules. Non-exempt employees earn 1.5x their regular rate of pay for hours worked over 40 in a workweek, with no separate state daily overtime trigger.
Small-Employer Threshold
Georgia's state minimum wage law applies to employers with 6 or more employees. However, most Georgia employers are also covered by the federal FLSA regardless of size, which sets the effective wage floor at $7.25 per hour in practice.
Paid Sick Leave and Family Leave
Georgia does not require paid sick leave, and there is no state paid family and medical leave (PFML) program. Employers offering these benefits do so on a voluntary basis.
Tipped Wages and Local Ordinances
Georgia follows the federal tip credit framework under the FLSA. Confirm current tipped-wage rules and any local ordinance questions with the state labor office contacts before setting pay practices.
What This Means for Payroll Compliance
Georgia's outdated state minimum wage and employer-size threshold create real confusion risk: applying the $5.15 rate where the federal $7.25 rate actually governs is a compliance mistake that generates back-wage exposure. Multi-state employers need payroll logic that correctly applies FLSA coverage rather than the technical state rate.
BEG's managed payroll service applies the correct effective rate in Georgia and every other state where you have employees, so you never risk underpaying based on an outdated state statute.
Managed Payroll, Handled.
BEG manages payroll at $25-$45 per employee per month, all-inclusive. Get an instant cost comparison for your business.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the minimum wage in Georgia in 2026?
Georgia’s state minimum wage is technically $5.15 per hour, but this is superseded by the federal minimum wage of $7.25, which applies to most Georgia employers, per the U.S. Department of Labor.
Does the $5.15 Georgia state minimum wage ever apply?
It applies only to a narrow set of employers not covered by the federal Fair Labor Standards Act. Nearly all employers must pay at least $7.25 per hour.
Does Georgia’s minimum wage law apply to every business?
Georgia state minimum wage law applies to employers of 6 or more employees, though FLSA coverage often applies regardless of employer size.
What overtime rules apply in Georgia?
Georgia follows federal FLSA overtime rules: non-exempt employees earn 1.5x their regular rate for hours worked over 40 in a workweek.
Does Georgia require paid sick leave?
No. Georgia does not mandate paid sick leave or a state paid family and medical leave program.
Anthony leads payroll solutions at Business Executive Group, a national managed payroll firm serving businesses across industries. BEG manages payroll at $25-$45 PEPM, all-inclusive, with deep expertise in compliance, multi-state filing, and industry-specific payroll requirements. Get instant pricing at beghr.com.
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