Georgia teachers rank near the middle of the pack nationallyfor both starting salaries and overall pay, according to a newly released reportfrom the National Education Association.
The report compares educator pay, school spending and other education metrics across all 50 states and the District of Columbia.
Here's everything to know.
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Where does Georgia rank nationally for teacher pay?
According to the NEA's2026 rankings:
- Average teacher salary: $71,524 (21st nationally)
- Average starting teacher salary: $48,722 (21st nationally)
The report also found Georgia's estimated minimum living wage is $64,204, while the state's teacher pay gap is 71 cents, reflecting teacher earnings compared with similarly educated professionals.
School spending and support staff also measured
Beyond teacher salaries, the report ranked Georgia in several other education categories:
- Per-student spending: $16,113 (29th nationally)
- Average K-12 education support professional earnings: $32,740 (39th nationally)
- Average higher education support professional earnings: $42,694 (43rd nationally)
- Average higher education faculty salary: $97,435 (32nd nationally)
Top state for starting teacher pay
Washington, D.C., ranked No. 1 in the nation for average starting
teacher salary at $64,640, according to the report.
National report says pay still trails inflation
Nationwide, the NEA reported the average public school teacher salary increased 3.5% during the most recent school year to about $74,495.
However, the organization said teacher pay has not kept pace with inflation over the past decade. Adjusted for inflation, teachers earn about 5% less than they did 10 years ago.
The report also found the national average starting salary increased to $48,112, though inflation reduced much of that gain in purchasing power.
The NEA said stagnant wages continue to make it more difficult for schools to recruit and retain educators, even as salaries have increased in many districts.
For the full report, visit nea.org/resource-library/educator-pay-and-student-spending-how-does-your-state-rank.
Vanessa Johns is the Trending Topics Reporter for the Deep South Connect Team Georgia, covering food and entertainment. Email her at Vcountryman@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Savannah Morning News: How much is a Georgia teacher salary? How it compares to other states
