2016 Georgia Minimum Wage
The 2016 Georgia Minimum Wage is $5.15.
Effective 2016-01-01Source: Minimum Wage (Georgia Department of Labor)Verified 2026-09-01
Compared with 2015
Every figure on this page is unchanged from 2015.
| Item | 2015 | 2016 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hourly | $5.15 | $5.15 | +$0 (+0.0%) |
Who it applies to
Employers and employees in the state of Georgia subject to Georgia minimum wage law
What changed this year, and why
Georgia's state minimum wage is $5.15 per hour for 2016. The federal minimum wage, which is higher than the state rate, applies to most employers with limited exceptions.
Common questions
- What is the minimum wage in Georgia?
- The state minimum wage in Georgia is $5.15 per hour. However, the federal minimum wage, which is higher, applies to most employers, so most workers in Georgia are entitled to the higher federal rate.
- Does the federal minimum wage apply in Georgia?
- Yes. The federal minimum wage under the Fair Labor Standards Act generally applies in Georgia. Employers subject to the FLSA must pay at least the federal rate.
Who to ask about this rate, and where to take a wage complaint
Workers in Georgia who have questions about minimum wage or need to file a complaint about their pay should consult the relevant state labor office. The Georgia Department of Labor oversees wage issues in the state. Additionally, the U.S. Department of Labor's Wage and Hour Division handles questions about federal minimum wage requirements that apply to most Georgia workers. Both agencies can provide guidance on whether an employer is following the correct rate and can help workers understand their rights under state and federal wage laws.
Access Georgia Code, the U.S. Department of Labor (USDOL) Wage and Hour Division, or the Fair Labor Standards Act for specific information.
Minimum Wage (Georgia Department of Labor)
Why the federal rate applies when the state rate is lower
When a state sets its own minimum wage below the federal floor, most workers in that state are still entitled to the higher federal rate. Georgia's state minimum wage is $5.15 per hour, which is lower than the federal minimum wage. Because federal law preempts the state rate in most cases, covered non-exempt employees must be paid the federal amount rather than the lower state amount. Only a narrow category of exceptions allows an employer to pay the state rate instead. Workers who are not specifically excluded by the Fair Labor Standards Act therefore receive the federal wage even though their state's statutory rate is lower. This rule prevents a state from using a below-floor wage to undercut the national standard and ensures that employees in Georgia earn at least the federal hourly minimum.
Georgia's minimum wage is $5.15 per hour, however, with some limited exceptions, the federal minimum wage rate applies.
Minimum Wage (Georgia Department of Labor)
How each figure was verified
Each number below was read from a stored copy of the document named beside it, and checked to occur word for word in the quoted sentence. The digest is of that stored text.
Minimum Wage (Georgia Department of Labor)
- Hourly
Georgia's minimum wage is $5.15 per hour, however, with some limited exceptions, the federal minimum wage rate applies.
Other years
Every Georgia Minimum Wage year · Minimum Wage in every state