Georgia Minimum Wage
O.C.G.A. 34-4-3
Regulatory Snapshot: Georgia Minimum Wage
Georgia Minimum Wage (O.C.G.A. 34-4-3) is an enacted law in Georgia under the Employment & Worker Protection category. It was enacted on 2009-07-24 and becomes effective on 2009-07-24. Georgia currently reports 1 tracked regulations with 1 already in force, giving the state a regulatory strictness score of 17/100 relative to the national baseline. PlainRegWatch last verified this entry on 2026-03-18.
Nationally, 107 states have enacted employment & worker protection statutes and 0 additional bills remain pending — 51 distinct jurisdictions have codified rules in this area so far. That places Georgia within a mature and broadly adopted employment & worker protection landscape where compliance programs typically hinge on definitions in O.C.G.A. 34-4-3 itself.
Applicability under Georgia Minimum Wage: Federal FLSA covers most Georgia employers. Penalty exposure is documented as: Federal FLSA enforcement applies to most employers. Notable exemptions: Small employers (under $500K gross) may face state-only coverage..
Summary
Georgia state minimum wage $5.15/hr — below federal $7.25. Federal rate applies for covered employers.
Key Requirements
State rate $5.15/hr (rarely applicable). Federal $7.25/hr for FLSA-covered employers. Tipped: $2.13/hr federal.
Penalties
Federal FLSA enforcement applies to most employers.
Applicability
Federal FLSA covers most Georgia employers.
Exemptions
Small employers (under $500K gross) may face state-only coverage.
Official Source
https://dol.georgia.gov/minimum-wageFrequently Asked Questions
Which states have employment & worker protection regulations?
As of the last verification, 51 states have enacted employment & worker protection regulations, with 0 additional bills pending across other states. Georgia is among the states that has enacted such legislation. Browse all employment & worker protection regulations at plainregwatch.com for the complete state-by-state comparison.
When was Georgia Minimum Wage enacted?
Georgia Minimum Wage was enacted on 2009-07-24 and became effective on 2009-07-24. It was introduced as O.C.G.A. 34-4-3.
What are the penalties for violating Georgia Minimum Wage?
Federal FLSA enforcement applies to most employers. Note that enforcement mechanisms and penalty structures may vary. Consult the official statute and qualified legal counsel for specific compliance requirements.
Does Georgia Minimum Wage apply to small businesses?
Federal FLSA covers most Georgia employers. Many state regulations include thresholds or exemptions for smaller organizations. Review the full applicability criteria and consult legal counsel to determine your obligations.
How does Georgia compare to other states on employment & worker protection?
Georgia has a regulatory strictness score of 17/100, based on 1 enacted regulation out of 1 tracked. Nationally, 51 states have enacted employment & worker protection laws. Visit our state comparison page for a full ranking.
Where can I read the full text of Georgia Minimum Wage?
The official text of Georgia Minimum Wage (O.C.G.A. 34-4-3) is available from the Georgia legislature. PlainRegWatch links to the official source for every tracked regulation. We recommend reviewing the full statute alongside qualified legal counsel for compliance planning.
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Disclaimer: This summary is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Regulation details may have changed since last verification (2026-03-18). Always consult official sources and qualified legal counsel for compliance guidance.
Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.
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| Publisher | Kiznis Studio |
| Sources | Public state legislatures, IAPP, NCSL, and federal regulatory trackers |