Teacher Salary

Atlanta vs Roswell: Elementary School Teacher Salary (2026)

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

Atlanta, GA
$77,320
$37.17/hr
Roswell, GA
$75,566
$36.33/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricAtlanta, GARoswell, GA
Median Salary$77,320$75,566
Hourly Rate$37.17$36.33
Entry Level (P10)$60,113$57,210
25th Percentile$62,618$68,023
75th Percentile$78,815$96,725
Top Earner (P90)$99,940$117,128
Total Employed23,37019
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Atlanta ($77,320) and Roswell ($75,566) elementary school teacher salaries.AtlantaRoswellMedian Salary$77,320$75,566Entry Level (P10)$60,113$57,210Top Earner (P90)$99,940$117,128US Median $64,597

Verdict

Atlanta, GA offers better overall compensation for elementary school teachers, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Roswell.

The salary gap between Atlanta and Roswell is $1,754 (2.32%). 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,Roswell spans $59,918. Roswell 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
Roswell
P10 (Entry)$57,210
P25$68,023
Median$75,566
P75$96,725
P90 (Top)$117,128

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Roswell ($81,166 effective) pays 5.04% more than Atlanta ($77,275 effective).

Atlanta
Nominal: $77,320
CoL Index: 100.058
Adjusted: $77,275
Roswell
Nominal: $75,566
CoL Index: 93.1
Adjusted: $81,166

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)
  • Larger job market (23,370 employed)
  • You prefer the Georgia area and lifestyle

Choose Roswell if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($117,128)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $81,166)
  • 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 34.0% growth in Roswell over the same period.

Atlanta, GA

+30.7%

$58,600 (2019) → $76,570 (2025)

Roswell, GA

+34.0%

$55,849 (2024) → $74,833 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Atlanta has a higher median elementary school teacher salary at $77,320/year, compared to Roswell at $75,566/year — a difference of $1,754 (2.32%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Atlanta and Roswell?

Atlanta elementary school teachers earn $37.17/hr while Roswell hygienists earn $36.33/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing Atlanta and Roswell. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Atlanta = $77,275, Roswell = $81,166), job availability (23,370 vs 19 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) elementary school teachers earn $60,113 in Atlanta and $57,210 in Roswell. 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