Elementary School Teacher Salary in Dalton, GA: $63,961 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time elementary school teacher in Dalton, GA earns a median $63,961/year (≈ $30.75/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 25-2021). Once you factor in Dalton's price level (10% below national, BEA RPP 89.8), that paycheck buys what $71,191 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.6% below the Georgia state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, the estimated median annual salary for elementary school teachers in Dalton, GA, is projected to reach $63,961, slightly below the national median of $64,597. Teachers in this region can expect to earn between $49,965 at the 10th percentile and $79,532 at the 90th percentile, providing a clear picture of the pay distribution in the area. This data is derived from official BLS OEWS surveys, highlighting the competitive yet modest salary landscape. Notably, teachers specializing in shortage areas such as special education, STEM, and bilingual education may see additional stipends that can significantly impact their base salary in Dalton. As the local educational dynamics evolve, these incentives are likely to play a key role in attracting qualified candidates to meet district needs.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $49,965 | $24.02 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $61,537 | $29.59 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $63,961 | $30.75 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $78,492 | $37.74 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $79,532 | $38.24 |
Median Salary Position
0.98% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Dalton
In Dalton, GA, the elementary school teacher salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $29,567 (2026 est.). At $63,961, the local median is 0.98% below the national median of $64,597.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Dalton: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Dalton Elementary School Teacher Pay Compares
Dalton median: $63,961/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Dalton Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Georgia Average | $65,001 | -1.60% less |
| National Average | $64,597 | -0.98% less |
Elementary School Teachers in Dalton, GA earn a median of $63,961 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.98% lower than the national median of $64,597 and 1.60% below the Georgia state average of $65,001.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Dalton has a cost of living 10.16% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Dalton, GA has a cost-of-living index of 89.844 (below the national average of 100). A elementary school teacher earning $63,961 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $71,191 in an average-cost city — an effective 11.3% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$59,630
2025 BLS Actual
$63,340
2026 Current Est.
$63,961
2019–2027 Growth
+8.3%
Salary Trajectory for Elementary School Teachers in Dalton (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 0.98% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $59,630 | Actual |
| 2020 | $59,040 | Actual |
| 2021 | $60,130 | Actual |
| 2022 | $59,860 | Actual |
| 2023 | $63,860 | Actual |
| 2024 | $61,210 | Actual |
| 2025 | $63,340 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $63,961 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $64,588 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Dalton metropolitan area, the median elementary school teacher salary grew 6.2% from $59,630 (2019) to $63,340 (2025). At a 0.98% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $64,588 by 2027 — a total increase of $4,958 (8.31%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Dalton 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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $49,965 – $61,537 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $61,537 – $63,961 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $63,961 – $78,492 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $78,492 – $79,532 |
Teacher salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual elementary school teacher compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Elementary School Teacher Job Market in Dalton
The job market for elementary school teachers in Dalton employs approximately 1,120 professionals, indicating a stable demand for educators in the area. The cost of living index in Dalton stands at 89.844, suggesting that while salaries are slightly below the national average, purchasing power remains somewhat favorable for teachers in the region. Among local employers, K-12 public school districts typically offer salaries aligned with the established step-and-lane pay structure, which compensates educators based on their years of experience and education level. Additionally, charter schools may offer variable pay scales, while private institutions may provide competitive packages. Factors influencing salary variability include shortage area stipends, summer school contracts, and possibilities for coaching or after-school tutoring. To maximize elementary school teacher pay in Dalton, educators are encouraged to consider advanced degrees, pursue National Board Certification, and seek opportunities that leverage their unique skill sets to tap into higher pay tiers.
More salary data for Dalton, GA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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
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. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $63,340 for elementary school teachersin the Dalton metropolitan area. A 0.98% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
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