Teacher Salary

Augusta vs Rome: Elementary School Teacher Salary (2026)

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

Augusta, GA
$63,617
$30.59/hr
Rome, GA
$64,991
$31.24/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricAugusta, GARome, GA
Median Salary$63,617$64,991
Hourly Rate$30.59$31.24
Entry Level (P10)$48,097$49,591
25th Percentile$49,440$60,325
75th Percentile$77,098$76,391
Top Earner (P90)$78,088$80,683
Total Employed2,400400
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Augusta ($63,617) and Rome ($64,991) elementary school teacher salaries.AugustaRomeMedian Salary$63,617$64,991Entry Level (P10)$48,097$49,591Top Earner (P90)$78,088$80,683US Median $64,597

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Augusta and Rome is $1,374 (2.16%). Rome's median is +0.61% compared to the US national median of $64,597.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Augusta spans $29,991,Rome spans $31,092. Rome has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced elementary school teachers.

Augusta
P10 (Entry)$48,097
P25$49,440
Median$63,617
P75$77,098
P90 (Top)$78,088
Rome
P10 (Entry)$49,591
P25$60,325
Median$64,991
P75$76,391
P90 (Top)$80,683

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Rome ($72,083 effective) pays 4.13% more than Augusta ($69,222 effective).

Augusta
Nominal: $63,617
CoL Index: 91.903
Adjusted: $69,222
Rome
Nominal: $64,991
CoL Index: 90.161
Adjusted: $72,083

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Augusta if…

  • Larger job market (2,400 employed)
  • You prefer the Georgia area and lifestyle

Choose Rome if…

  • Higher median salary ($64,991/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($80,683)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $72,083)
  • You prefer the Georgia area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, elementary school teacher salaries in Augusta grew 3.5% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 5.4% growth in Rome over the same period.

Augusta, GA

+3.5%

$60,870 (2019) → $63,000 (2025)

Rome, GA

+5.4%

$61,040 (2019) → $64,360 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays elementary school teachers more: Augusta or Rome?

Rome has a higher median elementary school teacher salary at $64,991/year, compared to Augusta at $63,617/year — a difference of $1,374 (2.16%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Augusta and Rome?

Augusta elementary school teachers earn $30.59/hr while Rome hygienists earn $31.24/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Augusta to Rome as a elementary school teacher?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Augusta and Rome. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Augusta = $69,222, Rome = $72,083), job availability (2,400 vs 400 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level elementary school teachers earn in Augusta vs Rome?

Entry-level (10th percentile) elementary school teachers earn $48,097 in Augusta and $49,591 in Rome. The Rome 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