Average salary in Georgia

The state of Georgia boasts a diverse economy that includes industries such as logistics, healthcare, technology, and agriculture. The earning potential can vary depending on the location and industry. Whether you already live in Georgia or are considering a move, it's important to have an understanding of the financial landscape.

According to the Missouri Economic Research and Information Center, Georgia is ranked as the 16th most affordable state in the US, which means that the cost of living is lower than in many other states. However, the average salaries in Georgia can vary greatly depending on where you live and work. So which cities and counties offer the highest average salaries?

Average salary in Georgia by city

City living is often more expensive than living in more rural areas, but it’s also where the money is. Georgia’s own cities can vary massively in average salary; cities like South Fulton and Milton command well into six figures, while Albany’s average sits below $30,000.

Average earnings by city—or any other geographical metric—is just one way of calculating wealth, and certainly shouldn’t be the only way you look at your own earning potential in a given place. It doesn’t take into account the type of jobs that people do to earn above or below this average bracket, and omits any consideration for the number of people living in a household. However, it’s certainly one way of establishing which place offers good earning opportunities.

The US Census Bureau’s latest American Community Survey has calculated the average earnings for the 20 largest cities in Georgia, which you can find ranked below.

Average salary in Georgia by county

Reviewing average salaries in Georgia by city is not necessarily an adequate metric for average salaries across the state, since it’s entirely urban focused. A good idea is to weigh these figures up against the average salary in Georgia by county, as this will take areas outside the main cities into account and offer a broader idea of salary ranges.

The same survey from the US Census Bureau gives further insight this way, with the average household income calculated for Georgia’s largest counties.

Highest paying jobs in Georgia

There’s another weighty factor that will influence how much you earn if you live in Georgia: your job type. Average salaries for various sectors and job roles can vary massively across the state, so it’s absolutely something to consider when looking at salaries by location.

Zippia has calculated a comprehensive list of annual salaries by occupation area, which you can also find below.

Frequently asked questions about salaries in Georgia

What is the average salary in Georgia by age?
Alongside location and occupation, salaries in Georgia are also dependent on age, since more senior workers will be paid more. Then, when they retire, their income will dip again as they will rely on pensions and other forms of set income.

The Census Bureau data finds that householders under 25 have a median household income of $34,719; householders aged 24 to 44 years old have a median income of $60,727; those aged 45 to 64 years old have a median income of $70,444; and those 65 and older have a median income of $46,092.

What is a ‘good’ salary in Georgia?
The median income in Georgia is $61,980. Defining ‘good’ relies on all sorts of variable factors and these should be taken into account.

What is the average salary in Georgia by hour
If Americans work an average of 1,801 hours per year—at 37.5 hours a week—then the average hourly salary in Georgia is $24.35.

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