Teacher Salary

Atlanta vs Milton: Elementary School Teacher Salary (2026)

Compare elementary school teacher salaries between Atlanta, GA and Milton, GA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Atlanta, GA
$77,320
$37.17/hr
Milton, GA
$62,514
$30.05/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricAtlanta, GAMilton, GA
Median Salary$77,320$62,514
Hourly Rate$37.17$30.05
Entry Level (P10)$60,113$50,269
25th Percentile$62,618$58,227
75th Percentile$78,815$76,782
Top Earner (P90)$99,940$96,896
Total Employed23,3709
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Atlanta ($77,320) and Milton ($62,514) elementary school teacher salaries.AtlantaMiltonMedian Salary$77,320$62,514Entry Level (P10)$60,113$50,269Top Earner (P90)$99,940$96,896US Median $64,597

Verdict

Atlanta, GA offers better overall compensation for elementary school teachers, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Milton.

The salary gap between Atlanta and Milton is $14,806 (23.68%). Atlanta's median is +19.70% compared to the US national median of $64,597.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Atlanta spans $39,827,Milton spans $46,627. Milton has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced elementary school teachers.

Atlanta
P10 (Entry)$60,113
P25$62,618
Median$77,320
P75$78,815
P90 (Top)$99,940
Milton
P10 (Entry)$50,269
P25$58,227
Median$62,514
P75$76,782
P90 (Top)$96,896

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Atlanta ($77,275 effective) pays 15.08% more than Milton ($67,147 effective).

Atlanta
Nominal: $77,320
CoL Index: 100.058
Adjusted: $77,275
Milton
Nominal: $62,514
CoL Index: 93.1
Adjusted: $67,147

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Atlanta if…

  • Higher median salary ($77,320/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($99,940)
  • Larger job market (23,370 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $77,275)
  • You prefer the Georgia area and lifestyle

Choose Milton if…

  • You prefer the Georgia area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, elementary school teacher salaries in Atlanta grew 30.7% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 11.5% growth in Milton over the same period.

Atlanta, GA

+30.7%

$58,600 (2019) → $76,570 (2025)

Milton, GA

+11.5%

$55,522 (2024) → $61,907 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays elementary school teachers more: Atlanta or Milton?

Atlanta has a higher median elementary school teacher salary at $77,320/year, compared to Milton at $62,514/year — a difference of $14,806 (23.68%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Atlanta and Milton?

Atlanta elementary school teachers earn $37.17/hr while Milton hygienists earn $30.05/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Atlanta to Milton as a elementary school teacher?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Atlanta and Milton. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Atlanta = $77,275, Milton = $67,147), job availability (23,370 vs 9 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level elementary school teachers earn in Atlanta vs Milton?

Entry-level (10th percentile) elementary school teachers earn $60,113 in Atlanta and $50,269 in Milton. The Atlanta area offers higher starting salaries.

Related Comparisons

JL

Written by Jordan Lee, M.Ed.

Career Analyst

Jordan Lee has over 10 years of experience in elementary education. They focus on curriculum development and teaching methodologies. Their experience includes working in public schools.

Clinically reviewed by Maria Gonzalez, MAData verified by David Kim, Ed.D.

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 0.98% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

Compiled and verified by Jordan Lee, M.Ed., a licensed elementary school teacher with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov