Minimum Wage in Atlanta, GA (2026)
Atlanta, Georgia follows the Georgia state minimum wage of $5.15/hour in 2026. As of 2026-10-15, TipFig identified no separate municipal minimum-wage ordinance for Atlanta, so employers apply the state rate shown below. Below: how the federal, state, and local layers interact, the tipped-wage rules, and the official sources behind every figure.
By The TipFig Editorial Team · 2026-10-15 · reviewed against primary tipping and tax sources
Applicable minimum wage in Atlanta (2026)
$7.25/hr
Set by Georgia state law — the highest applicable layer (federal, state, or local) an employer must pay.
Federal, State & Local Layers
Federal Min
$7.25/hr
GA State Min
$5.15/hr
Local (City) Min
None — follows state
Tipped Cash Wage
$2.13/hr
State Effective
Federal FLSA $7.25 applies to all covered employers (GA state law sets $5.15)
Tip Credit?
Yes
Georgia state law (O.C.G.A. § 34-4-3.1) preempts local municipal minimum wages across Georgia. For all employers covered by the federal Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), the federal $7.25/hour rate governs. The City of Atlanta provides an internal $17.50/hr minimum for direct municipal employees, but private employers follow the $7.25 federal floor.
How the Layers Interact
Three levels of government can set a minimum wage: the federal floor (Fair Labor Standards Act, $7.25/hour in 2026), the state rate, and any local (city or county) ordinance. By law, an employer must pay the highest rate that applies to the worker. When a state or city sets a rate above the federal floor, the higher rate governs; the federal rate is the backstop.
In Atlanta, no local ordinance overrides the Georgia state rate, so the state minimum of $5.15/hour is the applicable wage. Tipped employees may be paid a lower direct cash wage only where state law allows a tip credit; California and other no-tip-credit states require tipped workers to receive the full minimum wage before tips.
Related TipFig Tools
Turn the minimum wage into take-home pay and compare hourly vs. salary with our calculators.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the minimum wage in Atlanta, Georgia in 2026?
As of 2026-10-15, Atlanta has no separate municipal minimum-wage ordinance that TipFig identified, so employers apply the Georgia state minimum wage of $5.15/hour (effective Federal FLSA $7.25 applies to all covered employers (GA state law sets $5.15)). The federal floor is $7.25/hour; the higher state rate governs. Source: Georgia Department of Labor — Minimum Wage & Overtime Information.
Does Atlanta have its own minimum wage or follow Georgia state law?
As of 2026-10-15, Atlanta follows Georgia state law ($5.15/hour). Georgia state law (O.C.G.A. § 34-4-3.1) preempts local municipal minimum wages across Georgia. For all employers covered by the federal Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), the federal $7.25/hour rate governs. The City of Atlanta provides an internal $17.50/hr minimum for direct municipal employees, but private employers follow the $7.25 federal floor.
What is the tipped minimum wage in Atlanta?
In Georgia, tipped employees may be paid a cash wage of $2.13/hour, with a tip credit making up the difference to the full $5.15/hour minimum. If tips don't bring total pay to the minimum, the employer must make up the shortfall.
Where can I verify the Atlanta minimum wage?
The authoritative figures are published by Georgia Department of Labor — Minimum Wage & Overtime Information (https://dol.georgia.gov/) and the U.S. Department of Labor Consolidated Minimum Wage Table. Minimum wages change frequently; always confirm the current rate with the official agency before making wage or payroll decisions.
Other Minimum-Wage City Pages
Minimum-wage figures are compiled from public government sources for informational use and may change; verify with the official agency before making wage or payroll decisions. State minimum-wage source: Georgia Department of Labor — Minimum Wage & Overtime Information (retrieved 2026-10-15). Federal minimum wage: U.S. Department of Labor — Wage and Hour Division: Consolidated Minimum Wage Table (retrieved 2026-10-15). This page is not legal advice. See TipFig's Disclaimer.