Teacher Salary

Augusta vs Kennesaw: Elementary School Teacher Salary (2026)

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

Augusta, GA
$63,617
$30.59/hr
Kennesaw, GA
$62,045
$29.83/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricAugusta, GAKennesaw, GA
Median Salary$63,617$62,045
Hourly Rate$30.59$29.83
Entry Level (P10)$48,097$49,131
25th Percentile$49,440$55,850
75th Percentile$77,098$77,896
Top Earner (P90)$78,088$96,170
Total Employed2,4008
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Augusta ($63,617) and Kennesaw ($62,045) elementary school teacher salaries.AugustaKennesawMedian Salary$63,617$62,045Entry Level (P10)$48,097$49,131Top Earner (P90)$78,088$96,170US Median $64,597

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Augusta and Kennesaw is $1,572 (2.53%). Augusta's median is -1.52% compared to the US national median of $64,597.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Augusta spans $29,991,Kennesaw spans $47,039. Kennesaw has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced elementary school teachers.

Augusta
P10 (Entry)$48,097
P25$49,440
Median$63,617
P75$77,098
P90 (Top)$78,088
Kennesaw
P10 (Entry)$49,131
P25$55,850
Median$62,045
P75$77,896
P90 (Top)$96,170

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Augusta ($69,222 effective) pays 3.87% more than Kennesaw ($66,643 effective).

Augusta
Nominal: $63,617
CoL Index: 91.903
Adjusted: $69,222
Kennesaw
Nominal: $62,045
CoL Index: 93.1
Adjusted: $66,643

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Augusta if…

  • Higher median salary ($63,617/year)
  • Larger job market (2,400 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $69,222)
  • You prefer the Georgia area and lifestyle

Choose Kennesaw if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($96,170)
  • You prefer the Georgia area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, elementary school teacher salaries in Augusta grew 3.5% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 11.5% growth in Kennesaw over the same period.

Augusta, GA

+3.5%

$60,870 (2019) → $63,000 (2025)

Kennesaw, GA

+11.5%

$55,106 (2024) → $61,443 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays elementary school teachers more: Augusta or Kennesaw?

Augusta has a higher median elementary school teacher salary at $63,617/year, compared to Kennesaw at $62,045/year — a difference of $1,572 (2.53%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Augusta and Kennesaw?

Augusta elementary school teachers earn $30.59/hr while Kennesaw hygienists earn $29.83/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Augusta to Kennesaw as a elementary school teacher?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Augusta and Kennesaw. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Augusta = $69,222, Kennesaw = $66,643), job availability (2,400 vs 8 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level elementary school teachers earn in Augusta vs Kennesaw?

Entry-level (10th percentile) elementary school teachers earn $48,097 in Augusta and $49,131 in Kennesaw. The Kennesaw 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