Atlanta Minimum Wage: What Workers and Employers Need to Know

If you live or work in Atlanta, Georgia, understanding how the minimum wage works can be confusing. There’s the federal minimum wage, Georgia’s state rules, and local policies that sometimes apply only to government workers or contractors.

This guide breaks down how the minimum wage works specifically in Atlanta, what you’re legally entitled to as a worker, what employers need to follow, and where you can get help if you think something isn’t right.

The Basics: What Is the Minimum Wage in Atlanta Right Now?

In practice, most private-sector workers in Atlanta are covered by the federal minimum wage, which is:

• $7.25 per hour for most covered non-tipped employees
• $2.13 per hour base wage for tipped employees (such as servers), as long as tips bring total pay up to at least $7.25 per hour

Georgia has its own minimum wage law, but:

• The Georgia state minimum wage is lower than the federal rate for many jobs.
• In Atlanta, as in the rest of Georgia, federal law usually controls if you work for an employer covered by the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). That includes most businesses involved in interstate commerce or with a certain minimum amount of annual sales.

Key takeaway:
If you’re a typical employee at a restaurant, retail store, hotel, warehouse, or office in Atlanta, you’re usually entitled to at least $7.25 per hour in total pay (wages plus tips if you’re a tipped worker).

Federal vs. State vs. City: Who Sets the Rules?

Atlanta’s minimum wage landscape is shaped by three levels of law:

Federal (Applies Broadly in Atlanta)

• The federal minimum wage under the FLSA is $7.25/hour.
• This applies to most Atlanta workers, including:
  • Full-time and part-time employees in retail, restaurants, hotels, offices, warehouses, and many service jobs
  • Many nonprofit and educational institutions
• Federal law also sets rules for overtime, record-keeping, and youth employment.

Georgia State Law

Georgia has a separate minimum wage statute, but:

• It is not higher than the federal wage.
• Employers that are large enough or otherwise covered by federal law generally must follow federal minimum wage, not the lower state rate.

State law can still matter for:

• Certain smaller or exempt employers
• State enforcement options and complaints

City of Atlanta (Local Rules)

The City of Atlanta has limited authority to set minimum wages for all private employers because of Georgia state preemption. This means:

• Atlanta generally cannot mandate a higher minimum wage for all private businesses in the city.
• However, Atlanta can set wage rules for:
  • City employees
  • Certain city contractors and vendors doing business with the city

So while you may hear about wage policies adopted by the City of Atlanta government, those usually do not increase the minimum wage citywide for all private workers.

Minimum Wage for Different Types of Workers in Atlanta

Not everyone in Atlanta is paid the same way. Here’s how minimum wage rules play out for common situations.

1. Tipped Workers (Servers, Bartenders, etc.)

If you work in an Atlanta restaurant, bar, hotel, or similar job and earn tips, the rules are different:

• Your employer can pay a cash wage as low as $2.13 per hour.
• Your tips plus the cash wage must add up to at least $7.25 per hour for every hour worked.
• If your tips are low and you don’t reach $7.25/hour, your employer must make up the difference.

Important points:

• Employers are supposed to keep accurate records of your hours and wages.
• You should receive enough in base pay plus tips every week to average at least $7.25/hour.
• Tip pooling may be allowed in certain conditions, but your overall pay still has to meet the minimum.

2. Youth and Teen Workers

If you’re a teenager working in Atlanta:

• Many teen workers are covered by the same $7.25/hour standard.
• Federal law sometimes allows a lower “training wage” for newly hired workers under a certain age for a short period, but this is limited and must follow strict rules.
• There are hour and job-type restrictions for younger teens (especially under 16), particularly in hazardous jobs.

If you or your teen are working in Atlanta, employers should post or provide clear information about youth employment rules.

3. Part-Time, Temporary, and Seasonal Workers

In Atlanta, part-time and temporary workers are generally covered by the same minimum wage rules as full-time workers:

• You should be paid at least $7.25/hour for all hours worked, unless a specific exemption applies.
• Seasonal work in retail, hospitality, or events is usually still subject to federal minimum wage laws.

4. Gig Workers and Independent Contractors

Delivery drivers, rideshare drivers, freelance workers, and some app-based workers in Atlanta are often classified as independent contractors rather than employees.

• Independent contractors are not protected by minimum wage laws in the same way employees are.
• Your earnings could be higher or lower than $7.25/hour depending on the work and expenses.

If you think you’re really functioning as an employee but being treated as a contractor, that’s a separate legal issue involving worker classification, not the minimum wage rate itself.

5. Domestic Workers and Caregivers

Nannies, home health aides, and other in-home workers in Atlanta may be covered by federal minimum wage rules if:

• They work regularly,
• Earn over a certain amount, and
• Meet specific criteria related to job duties.

Many domestic workers in Atlanta should still receive at least $7.25/hour, but coverage can be more complicated. When in doubt, it can help to speak with a local legal aid or labor rights group.

Overtime Pay in Atlanta

Minimum wage and overtime are closely connected. In Atlanta, if you’re a non-exempt employee:

• You should be paid time-and-a-half (1.5× your regular rate) for all hours over 40 in a workweek.
• Your overtime rate is based on your regular hourly rate, which must be at least the minimum wage.

Overtime rules do not apply to all positions. Some salaried or higher-level roles may be exempt under federal law, depending on job duties and salary level.

How Minimum Wage Laws Are Enforced in Atlanta

If you work in Atlanta and believe you’re not being paid properly, enforcement generally happens at the federal and state level, not the city level.

Federal Enforcement: U.S. Department of Labor – Atlanta

The U.S. Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division (WHD) is the main agency enforcing federal minimum wage and overtime laws in Atlanta.

Typical services:

• Investigating minimum wage, overtime, and tip violations
• Providing information about worker rights
• Recovering back wages in some cases

Atlanta-area WHD office (commonly used regional contact):
U.S. Department of Labor – Wage and Hour Division
61 Forsyth Street SW
Atlanta, GA 30303

You can contact the WHD by phone (through the national help line) or visit the local office for more detailed guidance on current hours and procedures.

State Enforcement: Georgia Department of Labor

The Georgia Department of Labor (GDOL) provides information on state labor laws, job services, and some wage-related issues.

While Georgia’s minimum wage law is limited compared to federal law, the GDOL can:

• Explain state-level rights and employer obligations
• Help connect you to the right resources for wage concerns

A main state office in Atlanta is commonly located in or near the downtown government complex; current address and phone information can be obtained through the Georgia Department of Labor’s public contact channels.

What If You’re Not Being Paid the Minimum Wage?

If you live or work in Atlanta and suspect you’re paid less than you should be, these steps can help:

1. Review Your Pay and Hours

Gather:

• Recent pay stubs
• Your own records of hours worked (calendar, notes, screenshots, schedules)
• Any employment agreements or offer letters

Compare:

• Your total pay ÷ total hours = your effective hourly rate
• If it’s under $7.25/hour, or if overtime isn’t properly paid, you may have a claim.

2. Talk to Your Employer (If Safe to Do So)

Sometimes errors happen:

• Payroll mistakes
• Miscalculated tips
• Misunderstandings about overtime

If you feel safe and comfortable, calmly ask your manager or HR:

• How your pay is calculated
• Whether tips or overtime are being properly included

Keep written notes of these conversations.

3. Contact the Wage and Hour Division (Federal)

If the issue isn’t resolved, or if you’re uncomfortable raising it at work, you can contact the U.S. Department of Labor – Wage and Hour Division:

• You can file a confidential complaint.
• You do not need to know every law in detail before reaching out.
• They may open an investigation if your situation falls under their authority.

When you contact them, having this information helps:

• Employer’s name, address, and phone
• Your job title and pay rate
• Dates and times worked
• Pay records if you have them

4. Consider Legal Aid or Local Worker Support

In Atlanta, there are legal aid organizations and worker advocacy groups that can:

• Help you understand your rights
• Assist with complaints
• Provide free or low-cost legal advice if you qualify

You can search specifically for:

• “Atlanta legal aid labor rights”
• “Atlanta worker center” or “workers’ rights clinic”

Quick Reference: Minimum Wage Basics in Atlanta

Below is a simplified summary of the key points for most workers in Atlanta.

What Visitors and New Residents Should Know

If you’re moving to Atlanta or working here temporarily:

• Don’t assume that Atlanta’s minimum wage is like other large cities that have their own higher local minimum.
• Your pay is likely tied to federal minimum wage rules, unless your employer voluntarily pays more (many do, especially in competitive industries).
• Always check your offer letter or employment agreement to see:
  • Your hourly rate or salary
  • Whether you are considered tipped or non-tipped
  • Any overtime or scheduling policies

If something seems unclear, you can ask your employer for clarification before you start work.

Practical Tips for Atlanta Workers and Employers

For workers in Atlanta:

• ✅ Keep your own record of hours worked, especially if you’re paid in cash or tips.
• ✅ Review each paycheck for accurate hours and rates.
• ✅ Speak up if your total pay averages less than $7.25/hour, or overtime seems missing.
• ✅ Reach out to the Wage and Hour Division or legal aid if you’re unsure whether your situation is lawful.

For employers in Atlanta:

• ✅ Confirm whether your business is covered by the FLSA (most are).
• ✅ Ensure non-exempt employees receive at least $7.25/hour and proper overtime.
• ✅ If you use a tipped wage, monitor tips to guarantee each worker reaches at least $7.25/hour for every hour worked.
• ✅ Post required federal and state labor law notices in a visible location at your workplace.

Understanding the Atlanta minimum wage means knowing that federal law usually sets the floor, state rules interact with it, and the City of Atlanta’s power is mostly limited to its own workforce and certain contracts. Whether you’re a server in Midtown, a retail worker in Buckhead, or a new hire at a downtown office, knowing these basics helps you recognize what you should be earning—and what to do if something doesn’t add up.