Elementary School Teacher Salary in Georgia: $73,542 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Georgia's 40 metropolitan areas, the average median elementary school teacher pay sits at $73,542/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 25-2021. Because Georgia sits at BEA RPP 93.1 (7% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $78,992 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Sandy Springs ($78,068), Athens ($76,600), Atlanta ($76,570).
In 2026, elementary school teachers in Georgia are projected to earn an average median salary of $73,543, which is significantly higher than the national median of $64,597, indicating a difference of +13.8%. The highest-paying city for elementary teachers in Georgia is Sandy Springs at $78,833, while Griffin offers the lowest salary at $60,454. This salary gap of $18,379 can be attributed to factors such as cost of living, local funding for schools, and demand for educators in urban versus rural settings. Georgia has specific licensing requirements for teachers, including earning a degree, completing a teacher preparation program, and passing certification exams. Additionally, scope of practice laws and demand drivers like population growth and educational policies shape the job market for teachers in the state. With a total of 36,166 employed elementary school teachers, the job market is expected to see a growth rate of 0.98% annually. Cities such as Athens, Atlanta, Brunswick, and Roswell also offer competitive salaries, at $77,351, $77,320, $76,270, and $75,566 respectively, indicating a favorable employment landscape for educators in Georgia.
Georgia Elementary School Teacher Salary Range
Overall salary range in Georgia: $45,693 (lowest entry-level) to $122,191 (highest top earner)
Georgia vs National Average
Georgia elementary school teachers earn 13.85% more than the national median (+$8,945/year difference).
Georgia Elementary School Teacher Salary Distribution (2026)
Elementary School Teacher salaries in Georgia range from $56,376 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $94,483 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $73,542. The Georgia median is $8,945 above the US national median of $64,597. The average hourly rate is $35.36/hr. Approximately 36,166 elementary school teachers are employed across 40 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$58,507
2025 BLS Actual
$72,829
2026 Current Est.
$73,542
2019–2027 Growth
+26.9%
Salary Trajectory for Elementary School Teachers in Georgia (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 0.98% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $58,507 | Actual |
| 2020 | $61,681 | Actual |
| 2021 | $61,374 | Actual |
| 2022 | $61,678 | Actual |
| 2023 | $72,349 | Actual |
| 2024 | $71,268 | Actual |
| 2025 | $72,829 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $73,542 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $74,263 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Georgia metropolitan area, the median elementary school teacher salary grew 24.5% from $58,507 (2019) to $72,829 (2025). At a 0.98% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $74,263 by 2027 — a total increase of $15,756 (26.93%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Georgia metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 0.98% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in Georgia
Lowest Paying Cities in Georgia
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Griffin | $60,454 |
| Canton | $61,601 |
| Tucker | $61,747 |
| Peachtree City | $61,904 |
| Cartersville | $61,905 |
Best Value Cities for Elementary School Teachers in Georgia
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Georgia cities offer the most purchasing power for elementary school teachers.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brunswick | $76,270 | 87.708 | $86,959 |
| Sandy Springs | $78,833 | 93.1 | $84,676 |
| Athens | $77,351 | 93.343 | $82,867 |
| Roswell | $75,566 | 93.1 | $81,166 |
| Warner Robins | $74,725 | 93.789 | $79,674 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Georgia
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $56,376 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $73,542 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $94,483 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Georgia metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 40 Cities in Georgia
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sandy Springs | $78,833 |
| 2 | Athens | $77,351 |
| 3 | Atlanta | $77,320 |
| 4 | Brunswick | $76,270 |
| 5 | Roswell | $75,566 |
| 6 | Warner Robins | $74,725 |
| 7 | Hinesville | $67,747 |
| 8 | Alpharetta | $65,651 |
| 9 | South Fulton | $65,575 |
| 10 | Gainesville | $65,415 |
| 11 | Rome | $64,991 |
| 12 | Brookhaven | $64,987 |
| 13 | Lawrenceville | $64,536 |
| 14 | Statesboro | $64,466 |
| 15 | Albany | $64,390 |
| 16 | Woodstock | $64,390 |
| 17 | Savannah | $64,334 |
| 18 | Stockbridge | $64,294 |
| 19 | Pooler | $64,203 |
| 20 | Valdosta | $64,102 |
| 21 | Dalton | $63,961 |
| 22 | Marietta | $63,808 |
| 23 | Peachtree Corners | $63,800 |
| 24 | Augusta | $63,617 |
| 25 | Johns Creek | $63,524 |
| 26 | Evans | $63,039 |
| 27 | Douglasville | $62,978 |
| 28 | Dunwoody | $62,974 |
| 29 | Smyrna | $62,908 |
| 30 | McDonough | $62,640 |
| 31 | Newnan | $62,539 |
| 32 | Milton | $62,514 |
| 33 | Macon | $62,113 |
| 34 | Kennesaw | $62,045 |
| 35 | Columbus | $61,961 |
| 36 | Cartersville | $61,905 |
| 37 | Peachtree City | $61,904 |
| 38 | Tucker | $61,747 |
| 39 | Canton | $61,601 |
| 40 | Griffin | $60,454 |
More Georgia Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore elementary school teacher hourly pay in Georgia cities.
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced elementary school teachers.
Compare Cities in Georgia
View all comparisons →Explore More Elementary School Teacher Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do elementary school teachers make in Georgia in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for elementary school teachers in Georgia?
How does Georgia elementary school teacher pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level elementary school teacher salary in Georgia?
How many elementary school teachers are employed in Georgia?
Which Georgia city offers the best value for elementary school teachers?
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.
Methodology & Data Source
Statewide salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 0.98% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 elementary school teacher compensation across Georgia. State averages are employment-weighted across 40 metro areas — larger metro areas with more elementary school teacherscontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 0.98%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for elementary school teachers (SOC 25-2021).
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