Why Georgia Is a Great State for Teachers

The state you teach in shapes a lot about the job: what you earn, how hard it is to get your certification, whether you can afford to live near your school, and what your career looks like in 10 years. 

So it’s worth asking the question directly: Is Georgia a good state for teachers? 

The Peach State isn’t perfect. The teacher shortage has been stubborn, and teacher pay is fairly middle-of-the-pack. But Georgia does have a lot going well for teachers, including a low cost of living and a growing job market.  

Strong Demand & Job Security 

Georgia is projecting 10% growth in jobs for elementary, middle, and secondary school teachers by 2034, compared to 2024.  

Teacher Type	Projected Annual Openings in GA (through 2034)
Elementary School Teachers	3,360
Middle School Teachers	2,120
Secondary School Teachers	1,720
Special Education Teachers (all levels)	1,710

Source: U.S. Department of Labor 

An educator workforce report shows Georgia had 5,300 teaching vacancies in 2024-25 and 6,900 unprepared, uncertified teachers employed in the state. The highest needs are in special education and science subjects, so if you earn a certification in one of those areas, you could have even more choice and leverage in your job search. 

The teacher shortage is a problem for school and state leaders but an opportunity for aspiring educators. In fact, you could search for a job right now on TeachGeorgia, a state database of certified position vacancies in public schools.  

Competitive Compensation & Benefits 

The average Georgia teacher makes $71,524 a year, according to the National Education Association. That’s No. 21 in the nation and just about $3,000 less than the national average.  

However, Georgia pays more than every bordering state:  

State	Average Teacher Salary	National Rank
Georgia	$71,524	#21
Florida	$56,663	#50
Alabama	$62,985	#35
Tennessee	$61,222	#40
North Carolina	$60,323	#43
South Carolina	$64,050	#32

Source: National Education Association, 2026 data 

The cost of living in Georgia is less than the national average, too, according to U.S. News & World Report. So a lower teacher salary in Georgia might leave you with more in the bank than a higher salary in a higher cost-of-living area.  

Then there’s the pension. Public school teachers in Georgia are covered by the Teachers Retirement System of Georgia (TRS). You contribute to the system while you teach, and it guarantees you a monthly income in retirement. 

Recruitment Incentives & Financial Support  

It costs money to get certified, so it helps to know what support exists.  

Start with your own school or district (if you have one). Many offer tuition reimbursement or professional development funds for staff working toward certification or an advanced degree. Even if it’s partial coverage, it could still make a big difference in your finances.  

Then, there are federal programs for teacher loan forgiveness: 

• The Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program (PSLF) erases the remaining balance on your loans after 120 qualifying payments (a minimum of 10 years), as long as you work for a qualifying employer. 

• Teacher Loan Forgiveness (TLF) forgives up to $17,500 after five complete, consecutive years of teaching at a qualifying school.  

Teach in the Peach keeps a running list of financial incentives available for Georgia teachers, including a grant to help paraprofessionals earn certifications, the Dream Loan Program for housing, Georgia Foundation for Public Education grants, and more.  

Career Advancement & Professional Development 

Georgia gives teachers a clear path for career advancement. The Georgia Professional Standards Commission (GaPSC) uses a tiered certificate structure, where teachers start with a provisional or induction certificate and then advance to a professional certificate, an advanced professional certificate, or a lead professional certificate. Each time a teacher moves up the ladder, they typically move up the salary scale as well. 

Teach in the Peach also promotes specific professional growth pathways, recognition for teacher leaders, career development, and dedicated mentorship and support for new teachers. 

In general, teachers earn more in Georgia through years of service, professional development, and/or by earning an advanced degree. The pay bump can vary district to district, but a teacher with a master’s degree can make several thousand dollars a year more than a teacher with equivalent experience but a bachelor’s only.  

Quality of Life: Urban, Suburban, and Rural Georgia  

Georgia gives you options. You could teach in a major metro, a mid-size city with a lower cost of living, or a small suburban or rural community. Here’s a quick comparison among some popular Georgia cities: 

	Cost of Living	Median Home Value	Average Commute	Population	Community
Statewide	8% lower than the national average	$328,467	Varies	11.3 million	Mix of urban, suburban, and rural
Atlanta	3% higher than the state average	$481,209	23 minutes	536,291	Large, diverse, growing
Savannah	1% lower than the state average	$296,927	19 minutes	158,046	Coastal, historic, tourism-driven
Peachtree City	5% higher than the state average	$458,048	28 minutes	40,834	Planned suburb, golf cart paths
Marietta	3% higher than the state average	$448,215	28 minutes	65,362	Suburban, historic square, commuter town
Valdosta	1% lower than the state average	$211,135	14 minutes	55,681	Small city in southern Georgia
Dalton	2% lower than the state average	$221,376	18 minutes	35,827	Small manufacturing city

Sources: U.S. News & World Report, RentCafe 

Mobility & Flexibility 

Georgia gives you room to move, both into the state and around it once you’re here. 

If you’re already certified in another state, you don’t have to start over. You may have to complete a few Georgia-specific requirements to transfer your license, but you’re not back at square 1.  

If you’re still working toward your certification, Georgia offers multiple routes, including the traditional pathway for high-school graduates who still need to earn a bachelor’s degree and an alternative pathway for career changers. You could complete your Educator Preparation Program (EPP) in-person or online, and you could even work full-time while earning your certificate.  

Once you’re certified, you have options beyond a traditional public school. Georgia has public, charter, and private schools, each with its own hiring process and pay structure.  

You could also move into a non-classroom role. Certified teachers in Georgia move into instructional coaching, curriculum work, media specialist roles, school counseling, and administration. Most of these require an added field or endorsement on your certificate, so it’s worth checking GaPSC requirements early if a non-classroom role is your goal. 

Become a Georgia Teacher with Moreland University 

Moreland University supports Georgia teachers through our 9-month teacher certification program, 12-month master’s degrees, and ongoing professional development. 

To learn more, join an upcoming information session. Or click here to book a 1:1 chat with our team. We’re happy to help.