Teacher Salary

McDonough vs Savannah: Elementary School Teacher Salary (2026)

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

McDonough, GA
$62,640
$30.11/hr
Savannah, GA
$64,334
$30.93/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricMcDonough, GASavannah, GA
Median Salary$62,640$64,334
Hourly Rate$30.11$30.93
Entry Level (P10)$50,577$51,813
25th Percentile$58,498$61,063
75th Percentile$77,085$79,098
Top Earner (P90)$97,092$79,360
Total Employed71,570
Side-by-side bar chart comparing McDonough ($62,640) and Savannah ($64,334) elementary school teacher salaries.McDonoughSavannahMedian Salary$62,640$64,334Entry Level (P10)$50,577$51,813Top Earner (P90)$97,092$79,360US Median $64,597

Verdict

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

The salary gap between McDonough and Savannah is $1,694 (2.70%). Savannah's median is -0.41% compared to the US national median of $64,597.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in McDonough spans $46,515,Savannah spans $27,547. McDonough has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

McDonough
P10 (Entry)$50,577
P25$58,498
Median$62,640
P75$77,085
P90 (Top)$97,092
Savannah
P10 (Entry)$51,813
P25$61,063
Median$64,334
P75$79,098
P90 (Top)$79,360

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Savannah ($67,573 effective) pays 0.43% more than McDonough ($67,282 effective).

McDonough
Nominal: $62,640
CoL Index: 93.1
Adjusted: $67,282
Savannah
Nominal: $64,334
CoL Index: 95.206
Adjusted: $67,573

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose McDonough if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($97,092)
  • You prefer the Georgia area and lifestyle

Choose Savannah if…

  • Higher median salary ($64,334/year)
  • Larger job market (1,570 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $67,573)
  • You prefer the Georgia area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, elementary school teacher salaries in McDonough grew 11.5% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 20.7% growth in Savannah over the same period.

McDonough, GA

+11.5%

$55,634 (2024) → $62,032 (2025)

Savannah, GA

+20.7%

$52,790 (2019) → $63,710 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays elementary school teachers more: McDonough or Savannah?

Savannah has a higher median elementary school teacher salary at $64,334/year, compared to McDonough at $62,640/year — a difference of $1,694 (2.70%).

What is the hourly rate difference between McDonough and Savannah?

McDonough elementary school teachers earn $30.11/hr while Savannah hygienists earn $30.93/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from McDonough to Savannah as a elementary school teacher?

Consider more than just salary when comparing McDonough and Savannah. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: McDonough = $67,282, Savannah = $67,573), job availability (7 vs 1,570 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level elementary school teachers earn in McDonough vs Savannah?

Entry-level (10th percentile) elementary school teachers earn $50,577 in McDonough and $51,813 in Savannah. The Savannah 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