Rural Ga Teen Pay 12-23-25

In rural Georgia for 2025, teen pay rates often start near the federal minimum wage of $7.25/hour, but can quickly rise with experience or for specific roles, with averages around $12-$17+/hour in many jobs (like student or youth worker roles), while specialized or urban-adjacent jobs can pay more, with some teens earning over $18/hour, especially after their initial 90-day training period (which can be $4.25/hour).  

Key Factors Influencing Pay

Federal vs State Law: Georgia doesn't have a specific state minimum wage, so it defaults to the federal minimum of $7.25/hour for most employers, though some small employers ($250k annual receipts) can pay $7.25/hour, while others in non-urban areas might pay slightly less if they are covered by specific GA laws, but federal law usually prevails.

Youth Minimum Wage: For the first 90 days, employers can pay teens under 20 a "youth minimum wage" of $4.25/hour, but must then increase it to at least $7.25/hour.

Location & Type: Jobs in more rural areas might stick closer to minimums, but youth programs, tech roles, or jobs near larger towns can pay significantly more, say $18+/hour, according to recent data. 

Typical Pay Ranges for Teens in GA (2025 Estimates)

Starting/Entry-Level: $7.25 - $10/hour (especially for first 90 days or very basic jobs).

Average/General: $12 - $17/hour (common for student workers, general labor, youth programs).

Higher-End/Skilled: $18 - $25+/hour (for specialized youth care, tech, or competitive roles in certain areas). 

How to Find Specific Rates:

Check sites like Indeed and ZipRecruiter for current postings in your specific county or nearby towns.

Look for local summer jobs, parks & rec, or youth program roles, as these often pay a set wage. 

In 2025, pay rates for teenagers in rural Georgia generally range from the federal minimum wage of $7.25 to an average of approximately $14.41–$18.05 per hour, depending on the specific job and employer. 

Key Pay Rate Benchmarks (2025)

Federal Minimum Wage: $7.25 per hour. This applies to most Georgia employers through the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).

Teen Training Wage: Employers may pay a sub-minimum "training wage" of $4.25 per hour to employees under 20 during their first 90 days of employment.

Typical Teen Range: While the state minimum is low, most teen salaries in Georgia currently range from $12.00 to $17.00 per hour for entry-level roles.

Student Worker Average: The average base salary for a student worker in Georgia is roughly $12.16 per hour. 

Common Hourly Rates by Sector

In rural and suburban Georgia, teen-friendly roles often offer the following rates:

Food Service & Retail: Positions such as crew members at McDonald's or cashiers typically start around $11.00 to $15.00 per hour.

Stocking & Sales Associates: Large retailers like Harbor Freight list anticipated rates starting at $15.50 to $16.00 per hour.

Childcare & Youth Work: Assistant teachers and youth workers often earn between $13.00 and $17.00 per hour. 

Legal Considerations for 2025

Georgia State Minimum: Georgia's official state minimum wage remains $5.15 per hour, but it rarely applies because the federal $7.25 rate takes precedence for almost all businesses.

Hours Restrictions: Teens aged 14–15 are limited to 3 hours on a school day and 18 hours per week during the school year.

Future Legislation: The proposed "Raise the Wage Act of 2025" aims to eventually eliminate sub-minimum wages for youth, but as of late 2025, the $4.25 training wage remains legal. 

https://www.google.com/search?q=rural+ga+teen+pay+rates+per+hour+2025

Norb Leahy, Dunwoody GA Tea Party Leader