Georgia minimum wage 2027: stays $7.25 an hour

Georgia minimum wage 2027: no increase scheduled in 2027: the federal $7.25 per hour (Georgia DOL minimum wage page; U.S. DOL state table). Verified Oct 28, 2026 on two official pages.

“Effective July 24, 2009, the federal minimum wage increased to $7.25 per hour. Georgia's minimum wage is $5.15 per hour, however, with some limited exceptions, the federal minimum wage rate applies.”

Second official source: “Georgia Applicable to employers of 6 or more employees Basic Minimum Rate (per hour): $5.15 The State law excludes from coverage any employment that is subject to the federal Fair Labor Standards Act when the federal rate is greater than the State rate. Employers subject to the Fair Labor Standards Act must pay the current Federal minimum wage of $7.25 per hour.” (U.S. DOL state table).

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What changes for Georgia employers in 2027

Minimum wage today: $7.25 per hour (federal; state $5.15 applies only to employers of 6 or more employees not covered by the FLSA) (State Minimum Wage Laws (U.S. DOL Wage and Hour Division table, updated July 1, 2026); verified Sep 27, 2026).

Who the Georgia minimum wage covers, in the verified rules in force now:

• Georgia's state minimum wage is $5.15 per hour for employers of 6 or more employees, but most employers are covered by the federal FLSA and must pay the federal minimum wage instead. (State Minimum Wage Laws (U.S. DOL Wage and Hour Division table, updated July 1, 2026); Georgia Department of Labor, Minimum Wage (O.C.G.A. 34-4-3); verified Sep 27, 2026)
• Georgia employers subject to the federal Fair Labor Standards Act must pay the federal minimum wage of $7.25 per hour. (State Minimum Wage Laws (U.S. DOL Wage and Hour Division table, updated July 1, 2026); Georgia Department of Labor, Minimum Wage; verified Sep 27, 2026)

Other Georgia minimum rates

• State rate for employers not covered by the FLSA (6 or more employees): “Georgia Applicable to employers of 6 or more employees Basic Minimum Rate (per hour): $5.15 The State law excludes from coverage any employment that is subject to the federal Fair Labor Standards Act when the federal rate is greater than the State rate. Employers subject to the Fair Labor Standards Act must pay the current Federal minimum wage of $7.25 per hour.” (U.S. DOL state table)

How we checked that nothing changes in 2027

• The Georgia Department of Labor page (fetched November 12, 2026) gives Georgia's own rate as $5.15 under O.C.G.A. 34-4-3 and the federal $7.25 for most employers, with no new state rate; the Code itself is not published on a state legislature site (Georgia DOL minimum wage page).
• Georgia's November 3, 2026 ballot had three statewide constitutional amendments (conservation use property acreage, nonpartisan probate judge elections, a Next Generation 9-1-1 fund) and no statewide referendum on the minimum wage; Georgia has no citizen initiative (Georgia SOS amendments booklet).

Paying the minimum wage in Georgia: paydays, final pay and breaks

• Paydays: Georgia requires at least semi-monthly paydays for most employees. (State Payday Requirements (U.S. DOL Wage and Hour Division table, January 1, 2023); Georgia Department of Labor, Employer Handbook (DOL-224), summarizing O.C.G.A. § 34-7-2; verified Sep 27, 2026)
• Meal breaks: No state meal break requirement for adult employees in private employment in Georgia. (Minimum Length of Meal Period Required under State Law for Adult Employees in Private Sector (U.S. DOL WHD table, January 1, 2023); Georgia Department of Labor, Individuals FAQs - Fair Labor Standards Act; verified Sep 27, 2026)
• Rest breaks: No state rest break requirement for adult employees in private employment in Georgia. (Minimum Paid Rest Period Requirements Under State Law for Adult Employees in Private Sector (U.S. DOL WHD table, January 1, 2023); Georgia Department of Labor, Individuals FAQs - Fair Labor Standards Act; verified Sep 27, 2026)

Every verified rule for the state, with the law cited: Georgia employer rulebook.

Exempt salary threshold in 2027: Federal $684 a week ($35,568 a year); no higher state threshold found (U.S. DOL thresholds page; eCFR 29 CFR 541.600) Verified Oct 21, 2026

Each change with its official text: Georgia rules.

Georgia minimum wage rates: now, 2027 and next

2027 minimum wage: Georgia and neighboring states

Each state links to its rulebook, and to its own 2027 minimum wage page where we have one. The same rows, for every state, are in the 2027 table by state.

How to act on it

Full-time pay at the rate in 2027 (computed: hourly rate × 40 hours a week and × 2,080 hours a year, before taxes): $7.25 = $290.00 a week, $15,080 a year.

Questions about the Georgia minimum wage in 2027

Sources (14)

• Georgia DOL minimum wage page
• U.S. DOL state table
• U.S. DOL thresholds page
• eCFR 29 CFR 541.600
• Georgia SOS amendments booklet
• State Payday Requirements (U.S. DOL Wage and Hour Division table, January 1, 2023)
• Georgia Department of Labor, Employer Handbook (DOL-224), summarizing O.C.G.A. § 34-7-2
• Minimum Length of Meal Period Required under State Law for Adult Employees in Private Sector (U.S. DOL WHD table, January 1, 2023)
• Georgia Department of Labor, Individuals FAQs - Fair Labor Standards Act
• Minimum Paid Rest Period Requirements Under State Law for Adult Employees in Private Sector (U.S. DOL WHD table, January 1, 2023)
• U.S. DOL minimum wage page
• 29 U.S.C. §206 (govinfo)
• Fla. Const. Art. X §24 (FL Senate)
• NCDOL Wage and Hour Act notice

Checked Oct 28, 2026 · How we verify every rule · Report an error

Where this goes next

StateGeorgia employer rulebookAll 51 statesMinimum wage by state 20272027Every Georgia change in 2027ToolGeorgia paycheck calculator