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Georgia Labor Laws 2025

Georgia labor law primarily follows federal standards with minimal state-specific employment requirements. While Georgia has a state minimum wage of $5.15, most employers are covered by federal law and must pay the $7.25 federal minimum wage.

Important: Although Georgia's state minimum wage is $5.15, most employers are covered by the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) and must pay the federal minimum wage of $7.25/hour.

Minimum Wage

Georgia has a state minimum wage of $5.15, but most employers must pay the federal minimum wage.

Key Requirements

  • State minimum wage: $5.15 per hour (rarely applicable)
  • Federal minimum wage applies to most employers: $7.25 per hour
  • Employers covered by FLSA must pay federal minimum wage
  • Tipped employees: $2.13/hour cash wage (with tip credit under federal law)
  • Most Georgia employers are covered by FLSA and must pay $7.25

Additional Resources

Overtime

Georgia follows federal overtime requirements under the FLSA with no additional state requirements.

Key Requirements

  • Overtime pay: 1.5x regular rate for hours worked over 40 in a workweek
  • No daily overtime requirement (calculated weekly)
  • Standard FLSA exemptions apply (executive, administrative, professional)
  • No state-specific overtime laws
  • Georgia does not have its own overtime statute

Additional Resources

Meal and Rest Breaks

Georgia does not require employers to provide meal or rest breaks for employees of any age.

Key Requirements

  • No state law requiring meal breaks for adult employees
  • No state law requiring rest breaks for adult employees
  • No meal break requirement for minors (unlike many states)
  • If breaks are voluntarily provided, federal rules apply
  • Short breaks (5-20 minutes) must be paid if provided
  • Nursing mothers have right to express milk (federal requirement)

Additional Resources

Payment of Wages

Georgia has specific requirements for wage payment frequency and timing.

Key Requirements

  • Employees must be paid at least semi-monthly (twice per month)
  • Payment due dates must be designated in advance
  • Final wages: Must be paid by next regular payday
  • No acceleration of final paycheck required upon termination
  • Certain wage deductions are prohibited without employee consent

Additional Resources

Child Labor

Georgia has restrictions on youth employment, particularly during school hours.

Key Requirements

  • Work permits (employment certificates) required for minors under 18
  • Ages 12-15: Limited to specific types of work (agricultural, newspaper delivery, entertainment)
  • Ages 14-15: Limited to 4 hours per school day, 8 hours on non-school days
  • Ages 16-17: May work any hours but restrictions on hazardous occupations
  • Federal child labor laws also apply and may be more restrictive

Additional Resources

Right to Work

Georgia is a "Right to Work" state with constitutional and statutory protections.

Key Requirements

  • Employees cannot be required to join a union as a condition of employment
  • Employers cannot require union dues or fees as a condition of employment
  • Protected by both Georgia Constitution and state law
  • Does not prohibit unions or collective bargaining
  • Workers have freedom to choose whether to join or support a union

Additional Resources

Understanding Georgia's Minimum Wage

Georgia's minimum wage situation can be confusing:

  • State minimum wage: $5.15/hour (applicable to very few employers)
  • Federal minimum wage: $7.25/hour (applies to most employers)
  • Who must pay federal minimum: Employers with $500,000+ in annual sales, or engaged in interstate commerce
  • Practical reality: Nearly all Georgia employers are covered by FLSA and must pay $7.25

Georgia as a Right to Work State

Georgia's Right to Work status has important implications for employers and employees:

  • Workers cannot be compelled to join a union or pay union dues
  • Union security agreements are prohibited
  • Protected by Georgia Constitution Article I, Section I, Paragraph XIV
  • Does not prohibit collective bargaining or union formation

Federal Laws Apply

Since Georgia has minimal state-specific labor laws, employers must focus on federal compliance:

FLSA

Fair Labor Standards Act governs minimum wage, overtime, recordkeeping, and youth employment.

FMLA

Family and Medical Leave Act provides job-protected leave for eligible employees.

ADA

Americans with Disabilities Act prohibits discrimination and requires reasonable accommodations.

Title VII

Prohibits employment discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin.

Ensure Federal Labor Compliance

Even in states with minimal additional requirements, Rightwork ensures your schedules comply with all federal labor laws including FLSA overtime and child labor restrictions.

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