2023 Georgia Minimum Wage
The 2023 Georgia Minimum Wage is $5.15.
Effective 2023-01-01Source: Minimum Wage (Georgia Department of Labor)Verified 2026-09-01
Compared with 2022
Every figure on this page is unchanged from 2022.
| Item | 2022 | 2023 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hourly | $5.15 | $5.15 | +$0 (+0.0%) |
Who it applies to
Employers and employees subject to Georgia's minimum wage law
What changed this year, and why
Georgia's state minimum wage rate for 2023
Common questions
- Is the federal or state minimum wage higher in Georgia?
- Georgia's state minimum wage is $5.15 per hour. However, the federal minimum wage is higher and applies to most employers in Georgia, so most workers are entitled to the federal rate rather than the state rate.
Who to ask about this rate, and where to take a wage complaint
Workers and employers in Georgia who need specific information about minimum wage requirements can access several official resources. The Georgia Department of Labor directs people to consult Georgia Code for the state's statutory requirements. Georgia's minimum wage law is codified in the Official Code of Georgia Annotated at Title 34-Chapter 4-Section 3, also cited as O.C.G.A. 34-4-3. For questions about federal minimum wage law and its application, the U.S. Department of Labor Wage and Hour Division is the appropriate federal agency to contact. The Fair Labor Standards Act provides the federal framework that generally applies in Georgia, and its relevant provisions are found at 29 U.S.C. 203, 206, 213, and 214. These resources can help clarify which minimum wage rate applies to specific employment situations, explain any exceptions that may exist, and provide guidance on compliance with both state and federal wage laws.
Georgia's minimum wage law can be found in the Official Code of Georgia Annotated (O.C.G.A.) at Title 34-Chapter 4-Section 3 (O.C.G.A. 34-4-3) and the Fair Labor Standards Act, generally and at 29 U.S.C. 203, 206, 213, and 214. 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
Georgia sets its own state minimum wage at $5.15 per hour. However, that figure is lower than the federal minimum wage, and under the Fair Labor Standards Act, employers must pay the higher of the two rates. As a result, with some limited exceptions, the federal minimum wage rate applies to most workers in Georgia instead of the state rate. This means that even though Georgia law establishes a lower floor, covered employees are entitled to earn the federal amount, which is substantially more per hour. The limited exceptions referenced in the statute apply to certain categories of workers or employers that fall outside the reach of federal coverage; for those narrow cases, the lower state rate may govern. For the great majority of workers in the state, though, employers are obligated to pay the federal rate rather than the state minimum. Workers who are unsure whether they fall into an exception should consult the Official Code of Georgia Annotated or the U.S. Department of Labor's Wage and Hour Division for guidance specific to their situation.
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