Georgia overtime.
Georgia follows federal FLSA overtime: 1.5× after 40 hours per workweek.
GA
40
hrs
—
—
$5.15
/hr
federal rate
How Georgia calculates overtime.
Weekly overtime
Hours over 40 per workweek paid at 1.5×
Daily overtime
Not required by state law
Double time
Not required by state law
7th consecutive day
No special rule
Calculate your Georgia overtime
The weekly timesheet automatically applies GA rules.
Who's outside the rules
These categories of employees may be exempt from the overtime requirements above:
01
Standard FLSA exemptions apply
Georgia's state minimum wage is lower than federal, so federal minimum wage applies to most workers.
Georgia at a glance
Georgia's economy secured $20.3 billion in investment and 26,900 new private sector job commitments in fiscal year 2024, earning the state its 10th consecutive year as the #1 state for business. The state is a logistics hub with UPS and FedEx among top employers, has attracted over $27.3 billion in e-mobility investments since 2018, and hosts 33 Fortune 1000 company headquarters in metro Atlanta.
Industries with frequent overtime
Logistics and Transportation
Georgia's largest industry, with UPS and FedEx as top employers. Warehouse workers, drivers, and package handlers frequently work overtime, especially during peak shipping seasons.
Film and Television Production
Georgia's film industry generated $4 billion in direct spending, with productions for Marvel, Netflix, and other studios requiring 12+ hour shooting days for crews.
Food Processing
Georgia ranks among the top 10 states for food processing GDP ($11+ billion). Poultry plants and food manufacturers, including Tyson and Pilgrim's facilities, often require overtime during peak production.
Automotive and E-Mobility Manufacturing
With Kia, Hyundai, and Rivian operations creating 32,200+ jobs, automotive plants run multiple shifts with regular overtime during production increases.
Healthcare
Major hospital systems across metro Atlanta and statewide regularly require overtime from nurses, technicians, and support staff.
Georgia overtime FAQ
No. Georgia does not have state-specific overtime laws, so federal FLSA applies. Non-exempt employees must be paid 1.5 times their regular rate for hours worked over 40 in a workweek.
Georgia's state minimum wage of $5.15 per hour is below federal law, so the federal minimum of $7.25 applies, making the minimum overtime rate $10.88 per hour. Most Georgia employers pay above these minimums.
Since Georgia has no state wage enforcement agency, you must file with the U.S. Department of Labor Wage and Hour Division. The Atlanta District Office can be reached at 678-237-0521.
Filing a wage claim in Georgia
If you believe you're owed unpaid overtime, here's what to do — in order.
Document all hours worked and unpaid overtime with pay stubs, timesheets, and other records.
File a complaint with the U.S. Department of Labor Wage and Hour Division (Georgia has no state enforcement).
Contact the Atlanta District Office at 61 Forsyth Street SW, Room 7M10, Atlanta, GA 30303, or call 678-237-0521.
You can also call the national DOL hotline at 1-866-4USWAGE (1-866-487-9243).
The WHD will investigate and may require your employer to pay back wages plus liquidated damages.
You may also file a private lawsuit to recover unpaid wages, which can include double damages for willful violations.
Georgia relies entirely on federal law for overtime enforcement since the state has no overtime statute and the Georgia Department of Labor does not handle private sector wage complaints. However, Georgia's strong employment growth and business-friendly climate means workers should be particularly vigilant about proper classification, as the state's rapid expansion in logistics, film, and manufacturing creates numerous overtime-eligible positions that employers may attempt to misclassify as exempt.
For general education only. Overtime law changes and has exceptions not listed here. For a specific situation, talk to your employer's HR department, the Georgia Department of Labor, or an employment attorney.