Employment & Worker Protection · Georgia
Georgia Minimum Wage
O.C.G.A. 34-4-3 - enacted in Georgia.
- Enacted
- Status
- 2009
- Enacted
- 51
- States with employment & worker protection laws
- 17/100
- Georgia strictness
The bottom line
Georgia Minimum Wage is an enacted law in Georgia, part of a mature, broadly-adopted employment & worker protection landscape.
- Enacted
- effective 2009-07-24
- 51
- states have employment & worker protection laws
- 107/107
- employment & worker protection laws enacted nationally
- 17/100
- Georgia strictness score
Data compiled 2026-03-18 from the official Georgia legislative record linked below; laws can be amended or repealed after this date.
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 compiled this entry's data on 2026-03-18; consult the linked official source for the current, authoritative text.
Nationally, 107 employment & worker protection statutes have been enacted 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-wageHow Georgia compares on employment & worker protection
51 states regulate employment & worker protection - Georgia ranks #39 by overall regulatory strictness. Bar = state strictness score (0–100).
| # | State | Strictness |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | California | 100 |
| 2 | Colorado | 76 |
| 3 | Texas | 69 |
| 4 | Connecticut | 62 |
| 5 | Illinois | 62 |
| 6 | Minnesota | 62 |
| 7 | New York | 62 |
| 8 | Oregon | 62 |
| 9 | Washington | 62 |
| 10 | Delaware | 59 |
Frequently 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 this data was compiled (2026-03-18). Always consult official sources and qualified legal counsel for compliance guidance.
The bottom line
This law is already in force - here's what matters for employment & worker protection compliance.
- Georgia Minimum Wage is enacted in Georgia, effective 2009-07-24. Official source
- 51 states now regulate employment & worker protection; Georgia ranks #39 by strictness - compare requirements before you operate across state lines. Compare states
- See every regulation Georgia tracks across all five policy areas. Georgia profile
Summaries are general information, not legal advice; always confirm against the official statute and qualified counsel.
Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.
Related
Verify with the official Georgia source →
Every figure on PlainRegWatch is rendered directly from state source data, no number is typed in by an editor. This page draws directly on federal and state source data, no figure is typed in by an editor. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error.