Payroll Cost per Employee in Georgia
2026 estimates — total employer cost including taxes and benefits
Min wage in Georgia: $7.25/hr (federal minimum; GA state minimum is $5.15 for certain small employers not covered by FLSA) | SUTA: 0.04–8.1% on first $9,500
Calculate Total Payroll Cost in Georgia
Payroll Tax Breakdown — Georgia 2026
| Tax / Cost | Rate / Rule | Annual Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Base salary | Per agreement | $52,250 |
| Social Security (employer) | 6.2% on first $168,600 | $3,240 |
| Medicare (employer) | 1.45% of all wages | $758 |
| FUTA (federal unemployment) | 0.6% on first $7,000 | $42 |
| Georgia SUTA | 0.04–8.1% on first $9,500 | $375 |
| Benefits (health, 401k, etc) | ~18% of salary (typical) | $9,405 |
| Total Employer Cost | $66,447 | |
Based on $52,250 median salary in Georgia. SUTA rate shown is approximate average — actual rate depends on claims history. Additional: No significant additional payroll taxes beyond standard federal and state obligations.
Payroll Requirements in Georgia
1. Georgia Payroll Tax & Compliance Overview
Georgia has a moderate payroll compliance environment. State income tax withholding applies (flat 5.49% for most filers after 2024 reform). Georgia SUTA runs 0.04–8.1% on the first $9,500 of wages. No paid family leave mandate, no SDI. Georgia's pro-business regulatory environment keeps mandatory payroll overhead below the national average.
2. Top Tips for Georgia Employers
Georgia employers: standard payroll software (Gusto, QuickBooks Payroll, ADP) handles all Georgia-specific requirements efficiently. Georgia has no mandatory paid family leave, no SDI, and a straightforward workers' comp market. Key compliance focus: correct state income tax withholding at the current flat rate, and annual review of your SUTA rate (experience-rated by the Georgia Department of Labor).
3. Key Georgia Payroll Facts
- Minimum wage: $7.25/hr (federal minimum; GA state minimum is $5.15 for certain small employers not covered by FLSA)
- State income tax: 1–5.75% (flat 5.49% for most filers after 2024 reform)
- State unemployment (SUTA): 0.04–8.1% on first $9,500
- Additional: No significant additional payroll taxes beyond standard federal and state obligations
Run Georgia Payroll Automatically
Automated payroll software handles Georgia tax calculations, filings, and W-2s for $40–$150/month.
Payroll Software Cost Comparison — Georgia 2026
At $5,537/month total employer cost, automating payroll for $52,250 median salary employees costs 27% above base salary. Software adds just 0.1–0.3% but eliminates costly compliance errors.
| Software | Base Price | Per Employee |
|---|---|---|
| Gusto Top pick | $46/mo | +$6/emp/mo |
| QuickBooks Payroll Core | $45/mo | +$6/emp/mo |
| ADP Run Essentials | ~$65/mo | +$4/emp/mo |
| Rippling | $35/mo | +$8/emp/mo |
Prices as of 2026. All four platforms handle Georgia state tax filings automatically. 10-employee team example: Gusto = $106/mo, QuickBooks = $105/mo, ADP ≈ $105/mo, Rippling = $115/mo.
Frequently Asked Questions
Georgia Payroll Summary
- →Avg salary: $52,250/yr
- →Total cost: $66,447/yr
- →Overhead rate: ~27% above salary
- →Min wage: $7.25/hr (federal minimum; GA state minimum is $5.15 for certain small employers not covered by FLSA)
- →State income tax: 1–5.75% (flat 5.49% for most filers after 2024 reform)