Georgia Teaching Salaries and Benefits
Georgia teacher salaries range from a median of about $64,780 to $75,480 annually depending on grade level, according to May 2025 BLS data, and the state projects roughly 10% job growth for these roles through 2034, well ahead of the national trend. Beyond pay, Georgia teachers get a defined-benefit pension through the Teachers Retirement System and health coverage through the State Health Benefit Plan.
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Georgia teachers don’t just get a paycheck. Between a state-funded pension and health coverage that starts on day one, the state builds a benefits package around keeping teachers in the classroom long-term. Add in a job market that’s growing while the national teacher supply is shrinking, and Georgia is one of the stronger states to start or continue a teaching career.
Learn more about becoming a teacher. Contact schools offering teacher education/certification programs in Georgia.
Georgia Teacher Salaries by Grade Level
Georgia teacher salaries vary by the age group taught, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Elementary and secondary teachers earn more on average than kindergarten teachers, and every category in Georgia pays more than the same role nationally.
| Occupation | Median Annual Wage (GA) | Job Growth (2024-2034) |
|---|---|---|
| Kindergarten Teachers | $65,680 | 10.2% |
| Elementary School Teachers | $72,290 | 10.0% |
| Middle School Teachers | $64,780 | 10.0% |
| Secondary (High) School Teachers | $75,480 | 10.3% |
That job growth number matters. Nationally, the BLS projects a decline in employment for every one of these occupations between 2024 and 2034, driven mostly by falling enrollment. Georgia bucks that trend entirely, with the state’s labor market data projecting growth near 10% across kindergarten, elementary, middle, and secondary teaching roles over the same period. Actual take-home pay still depends on the district. Georgia’s State Board of Education sets a base salary schedule tied to years of service, certification level, and degree held, and local school districts can add supplements on top of that base. See the full Georgia teacher certification requirements for how certification level factors into that schedule.
Retirement Benefits Through TRS
Georgia requires public school teachers to join the Teachers Retirement System (TRS) of Georgia, a defined-benefit pension plan that pays a monthly benefit for life once a teacher retires. Members currently contribute 6% of their earnable compensation through payroll deduction, and school districts contribute a separate employer rate on top of that. These rates are set annually by the TRS Board of Trustees and can change from year to year.
TRS calculates a teacher’s monthly benefit using a formula: the average of a member’s two highest-earning years, multiplied by 2%, multiplied by years of creditable service. A teacher becomes vested after 10 years of service, and normal retirement is available at that point at age 60, or at any age once a teacher reaches 30 years of service.
Once payments start, TRS benefits are paid for the life of the retiree and, in many cases, can transfer to a spouse or other beneficiary. Retirees also get access to health coverage, though that coverage runs through the State Health Benefit Plan rather than TRS itself. Georgia teachers can review their own contribution rates and estimate their future benefit through the TRS website.
Health Insurance Benefits for Georgia Teachers
Georgia teachers get health coverage through the State Health Benefit Plan (SHBP), administered by the Georgia Department of Community Health. SHBP covers active teachers, public school employees, retirees, and their eligible dependents statewide.
Coverage runs through Anthem, UnitedHealthcare, and (where available) Kaiser Permanente, with plan options that vary by carrier. Anthem’s lineup includes several HRA-based plans plus an HMO option, UnitedHealthcare offers an HMO and a high-deductible health plan (HDHP) that pairs with a health savings account, and Kaiser Permanente offers a regional HMO option. Premiums and plan details change each year during open enrollment, so the specific cost of coverage depends on which carrier, plan, and tier a teacher selects.
Across the available plans, teachers can expect coverage for services like:
- Preventive care and annual checkups
- Primary care and specialist office visits
- Inpatient and outpatient hospital services
- Maternity care
- Emergency care
- Prescription drug coverage
Teachers with children also have access to PeachCare for Kids, Georgia’s health coverage program for kids who don’t qualify for Medicaid but whose families still need an affordable option. Premiums run on a sliding scale based on household income, generally landing between $11 and $36 per child each month, with a family cap around $72 a month. Children under age 6 and children in foster care don’t pay a premium at all.
For current plan options, premiums, and enrollment details, visit the Georgia State Health Benefit Plan.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do teachers make in Georgia?
Median annual pay ranges from about $64,780 for middle school teachers to $75,480 for secondary teachers, according to May 2025 BLS data. Actual pay depends on the district’s salary schedule, a teacher’s years of experience, and their certification or degree level.
Is Georgia a good state to teach in for salary and benefits?
Georgia pays above the national median for every core teaching category and, unlike most states, is projecting job growth rather than decline through 2034. Combined with a defined-benefit pension through TRS and health coverage starting on day one, Georgia’s overall package compares favorably to many other states. Teachers moving from out of state can also check Georgia teacher reciprocity rules before applying.
How does the Georgia teacher retirement system work?
Georgia teachers join TRS, a defined-benefit pension. Members contribute a set percentage of pay, and the state calculates the eventual monthly benefit using the average of a teacher’s two highest-earning years, multiplied by 2%, multiplied by years of service. Teachers vest after 10 years and can retire at 60 with 10 years of service, or at any age with 30 years of service.
What health insurance do Georgia teachers get?
Georgia teachers are covered through the State Health Benefit Plan, choosing among Anthem, UnitedHealthcare, and (where available) Kaiser Permanente plan options that include HRA, HMO, and high-deductible plan choices. Coverage extends to eligible dependents, and families with children can also apply for PeachCare for Kids.
- Georgia pays above the national median — every core teaching category, from kindergarten through secondary, earns more in Georgia than the national BLS figure for that role.
- Georgia’s job market is growing, not shrinking — the state projects roughly 10% job growth for teachers through 2034, while national projections show a decline.
- TRS provides a lifetime pension — teachers contribute a set percentage of pay and receive a defined monthly benefit for life once vested and retired.
- Health coverage starts immediately — the State Health Benefit Plan covers teachers, retirees, and dependents through Anthem, UnitedHealthcare, and (where available) Kaiser Permanente plan options.
Ready to start teaching in Georgia? Explore programs that meet Georgia certification requirements and see what it takes to qualify for these salary and benefit packages.
Explore Georgia Teacher Preparation & Certification Programs
May 2025 US Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS wage estimates and 2024-2034 employment projections for Kindergarten and Elementary School Teachers, Middle School Teachers, and High School Teachers reflect state and national data, not school-specific outcomes. State or district job-growth projections are sourced separately from national BLS outlook data. Conditions vary by school sector, subject area, and district. Data accessed July 2026.
