Georgia Teen Pay 12-23-25

Yes, in Georgia (GA) for 2025, most working teens are paid over $7.25/hour, as the federal minimum wage of $7.25 applies, but many jobs, especially entry-level and service roles, pay more, with average hourly rates for teens often around $16-$17/hour or higher depending on location and experience, well above the minimum. 

While GA's state minimum is technically $5.15, the federal $7.25 standard is the floor, with teens in cities like Sandy Springs earning significantly more, notes ZipRecruiter and Square. 

Key Points for Georgia Teens in 2025:

Federal Minimum Applies: Employers must pay at least the federal minimum wage of $7.25/hour unless an exception applies (like the 90-day subminimum for under-20s).

Higher Averages: Data from late 2025 suggests average teen earnings in GA are closer to $16.85/hour, with ranges varying significantly.

Location Matters: Teens in higher-cost-of-living areas or cities like Sandy Springs can see wages well above the average.

Job Type: Retail, food service, and other common teen jobs often pay above minimum wage, especially with tips or in competitive markets. 

In summary, $7.25 is the minimum, but market rates for teens in Georgia in 2025 generally exceed this, often by a substantial margin, according to ZipRecruiter and Square. 

Yes, most teens working in Georgia in 2025 are paid over $7.25 per hour. While the federal and state minimum wage remains $7.25, current market data shows that the vast majority of teen workers earn significantly more. 

Current Teen Wages in Georgia (2025)

Average Hourly Pay: As of December 2025, the average hourly wage for a teen in Georgia is approximately $14.41 per hour.

Typical Range: Most teen salaries currently fall between $11.59 and $15.63 per hour (based on annual ranges of $24,100 to $32,500).

Median for Teen Jobs: The median wage specifically for "jobs for teens" is reported at $16.34 per hour.

Low Earners: Only about 2.3% of hourly workers aged 16 to 24 nationally earn the minimum wage of $7.25 or less. 

Legal Minimums and Exceptions

While market rates are higher, it is legally possible for some teens to be paid less than $7.25 under specific circumstances: 

Training Wage: Employers can pay a subminimum training wage of $4.25 per hour to employees under age 20 for their first 90 consecutive calendar days of employment.

Full-Time Students: Certain full-time students working in retail, agriculture, or at universities may be paid 85% of the minimum wage (roughly $6.16).

Georgia State Minimum: Georgia's official state minimum wage is technically $5.15, but it only applies to very small businesses not covered by federal law (FLSA). Most teens work for employers covered by the FLSA, which requires at least $7.25. 

https://www.google.com/search?q=are+most+teens+working+in+ga+paid+over+$7.25

Norb Leahy, Dunwoody GA Tea Party Leader