Teacher Salary

Columbus vs Tucker: Elementary School Teacher Salary (2026)

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

Columbus, GA
$61,961
$29.79/hr
Tucker, GA
$61,747
$29.69/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricColumbus, GATucker, GA
Median Salary$61,961$61,747
Hourly Rate$29.79$29.69
Entry Level (P10)$48,400$48,414
25th Percentile$58,074$56,598
75th Percentile$74,543$77,271
Top Earner (P90)$77,825$95,708
Total Employed1,3408
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Columbus ($61,961) and Tucker ($61,747) elementary school teacher salaries.ColumbusTuckerMedian Salary$61,961$61,747Entry Level (P10)$48,400$48,414Top Earner (P90)$77,825$95,708US Median $64,597

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Columbus and Tucker is $214 (0.35%). Columbus's median is -4.08% compared to the US national median of $64,597.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Columbus spans $29,425,Tucker spans $47,294. Tucker has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced elementary school teachers.

Columbus
P10 (Entry)$48,400
P25$58,074
Median$61,961
P75$74,543
P90 (Top)$77,825
Tucker
P10 (Entry)$48,414
P25$56,598
Median$61,747
P75$77,271
P90 (Top)$95,708

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Columbus ($69,388 effective) pays 4.62% more than Tucker ($66,323 effective).

Columbus
Nominal: $61,961
CoL Index: 89.296
Adjusted: $69,388
Tucker
Nominal: $61,747
CoL Index: 93.1
Adjusted: $66,323

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Columbus if…

  • Higher median salary ($61,961/year)
  • Larger job market (1,340 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $69,388)
  • You prefer the Georgia area and lifestyle

Choose Tucker if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($95,708)
  • You prefer the Georgia area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, elementary school teacher salaries in Columbus grew 5.8% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 11.5% growth in Tucker over the same period.

Columbus, GA

+5.8%

$58,020 (2019) → $61,360 (2025)

Tucker, GA

+11.5%

$54,841 (2024) → $61,148 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays elementary school teachers more: Columbus or Tucker?

Columbus has a higher median elementary school teacher salary at $61,961/year, compared to Tucker at $61,747/year — a difference of $214 (0.35%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Columbus and Tucker?

Columbus elementary school teachers earn $29.79/hr while Tucker hygienists earn $29.69/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Columbus to Tucker as a elementary school teacher?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Columbus and Tucker. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Columbus = $69,388, Tucker = $66,323), job availability (1,340 vs 8 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level elementary school teachers earn in Columbus vs Tucker?

Entry-level (10th percentile) elementary school teachers earn $48,400 in Columbus and $48,414 in Tucker. The Tucker 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