๐Ÿ’ฐ COL Index: 101 โ€” Near Avg Cost

Salaries in Roswell, GA

What every job actually pays โ€” cost-of-living adjusted

Updated: February 2026 ยท 40 occupations ยท BLS + Census data

Avg. Salary
$69,647
across 40 roles
COL-Adjusted Avg
$69,025
real purchasing power
Top Paying Role
Marketing Manager
$158,045
1BR Rent
$1,643
median monthly

You might assume a city with a median household income approaching $120,000 is a slam dunk for your wallet. Roswell, Georgia in 2026 complicates that story. Itโ€™s a place where the paychecks are fat, but the price of admission is slowly creeping up.

With a cost of living index of 100.9โ€”just a hair above the national averageโ€”Roswell isn't a steal. That $119,657 median income buys you comfort, not a castle. For context, a one-bedroom apartment runs about $1,643 a month. The real story here is purchasing power: your salary stretches, but it doesn't snap back like it would in a true bargain market. Itโ€™s comfortably middle-class, not "Iโ€™m retiring early" territory.

So, whoโ€™s actually thriving? The cityโ€™s economy is a mix of old and new money. Youโ€™ve got the professional services crowdโ€”marketing managers pulling in $158,000โ€”and the steady, high-demand work of pharmacists and software developers. Thereโ€™s also a strong undercurrent of construction and project management, likely tied to the steady growth in this north Atlanta suburb. Major employers include a mix of healthcare systems, tech firms, and the kind of corporate offices that follow the money.

Hereโ€™s my honest take: wages are solid, but are they keeping pace with the slow, steady climb in living costs? The 3.4% unemployment rate says workers are in demand, which helps. For a dual-income family with degrees, Roswell is a sweet spot. For a single earner or someone in a lower-paid field, that median income can feel more like a distant target than a lived reality.

The numbers below will break down exactly what you can expect to earn, both before and after Roswellโ€™s modest cost-of-living adjustment.

๐Ÿ† Top 5 Highest-Paying Jobs in Roswell

Ranked by raw salary. See COL-adjusted figures in the full table below.

๐Ÿฅ‡ +0% vs national

Marketing Manager

$158,045
๐Ÿ’ก COL-Adjusted $156,635
โฑ Hourly $75.98/hr
๐Ÿ“ˆ Job Growth +8.0%
๐Ÿ‘ฅ Jobs Here 183
๐Ÿฅˆ +0% vs national

Pharmacist

$136,397
๐Ÿ’ก COL-Adjusted $135,180
โฑ Hourly $65.58/hr
๐Ÿ“ˆ Job Growth -3.0%
๐Ÿ‘ฅ Jobs Here 183
๐Ÿฅ‰ +0% vs national

Software Developer

$127,603
๐Ÿ’ก COL-Adjusted $126,465
โฑ Hourly $61.35/hr
๐Ÿ“ˆ Job Growth +17.0%
๐Ÿ‘ฅ Jobs Here 550
4๏ธโƒฃ +0% vs national

Construction Manager

$108,502
๐Ÿ’ก COL-Adjusted $107,534
โฑ Hourly $52.16/hr
๐Ÿ“ˆ Job Growth +8.0%
๐Ÿ‘ฅ Jobs Here 183
5๏ธโƒฃ +0% vs national

Project Manager

$101,553
๐Ÿ’ก COL-Adjusted $100,647
โฑ Hourly $48.82/hr
๐Ÿ“ˆ Job Growth +6.0%
๐Ÿ‘ฅ Jobs Here 183

๐Ÿ“‹ Complete Salary Guide โ€” All 40 Occupations in Roswell

COL-Adjusted Salary = Raw salary divided by the cost of living index (101/100). Higher = more real purchasing power. This city's COL is above the US average.

# Occupation โ†• Raw Salary โ†•
1 Marketing Manager $158,045
2 Pharmacist $136,397
3 Software Developer $127,603
4 Construction Manager $108,502
5 Project Manager $101,553
6 Physical Therapist $99,979
7 Financial Analyst $99,277
8 Web Developer $93,000
9 Dental Hygienist $87,766
10 Accountant $86,312
11 Registered Nurse $86,302
12 Data Analyst $83,585
13 Police Officer $75,112
14 Human Resources Specialist $67,832
15 Elementary School Teacher $63,841
16 Plumber $63,521
17 Paralegal $62,919
18 Electrician $61,716
19 Real Estate Agent $61,645
20 Graphic Designer $61,505
21 Firefighter $57,274
22 Carpenter $57,073
23 HVAC Technician $55,820
24 Heavy Truck Driver $53,233
25 Pharmacy Technician $50,134
26 Dental Assistant $50,134
27 Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) $50,134
28 Nail Technician $50,134
29 Chef/Head Cook $50,134
30 Cosmetologist $50,134
31 Personal Trainer $50,134
32 Auto Mechanic $50,134
33 Veterinary Technician $50,134
34 Social Worker $50,134
35 Loan Officer $50,134
36 Insurance Agent $50,134
37 Nursing Assistant (CNA) $50,134
38 Welder $49,723
39 Medical Assistant $38,373
40 Security Guard $36,237

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment Statistics. COL Index from C2ER/ACCRA.

๐Ÿ™๏ธ Living Costs in Roswell

๐Ÿ 
1BR Rent
$1,643/mo
๐Ÿก
2BR Rent
$1,844/mo
๐Ÿ˜๏ธ
Median Home
$648,000
๐Ÿ“‰
Unemployment
3.4%
๐Ÿ’ณ
Median Income
$119,657
๐ŸŽ“
College Educated
43%
๐Ÿšถ
Walk Score
35/100
๐Ÿ“Š
Cost of Living
101
Near Avg Cost

๐Ÿงฎ Can You Afford to Live in Roswell?

Use our Salary Reality Check to see if your specific income covers housing, taxes, and expenses in Roswell. Enter your salary and see exactly how far your money goes.

โ“ Roswell Salary FAQ

What is the average salary in Roswell, GA?

โ–ผ
The average salary across 40 occupations in Roswell is $69,647. The median household income is $119,657. This indicates that average individual earnings are lower than what households earn together.

What jobs pay the most in Roswell?

โ–ผ
The highest paying role in Roswell is Marketing Manager at $158,045. This is more than double the average salary of $69,647 across all occupations. It suggests that specialized management roles command a significant premium.

Is Roswell affordable on a Marketing Manager salary?

โ–ผ
Yes, a Marketing Manager's salary of $158,045 is well above the median household income of $119,657. With a 1BR rent of $1,643/month, housing costs are manageable. The Cost of Living Index at 100.9 is only slightly above the national average.

How does Roswell's cost of living affect my paycheck?

โ–ผ
Roswell's Cost of Living Index is 100.9, meaning it is 0.9% more expensive than the national average. This slightly reduces the purchasing power of your paycheck compared to a benchmark city. However, the impact is modest given the index is close to 100.

What salary do you need to live comfortably in Roswell?

โ–ผ
To live comfortably, a salary should support the median household income of $119,657 or higher. This comfortably covers the $1,643/month rent for a 1BR apartment. The average salary of $69,647 may require stricter budgeting to achieve a comfortable lifestyle.

๐Ÿ“ Editor's Verdict: Is Roswell Worth It?

Hereโ€™s the honest verdict: Roswell is not a gold rush, but itโ€™s a solid bet if youโ€™re strategic. The $69,647 average sounds fine until you factor in a 100.9 cost-of-living index and $1,643 rent. That math works only if youโ€™re climbing into the top tiers. Marketing managers are the sweet spotโ€”clear six-figure territory even after adjusting for COL.

Who wins here? Tech pros with mid-to-senior experience, healthcare workers at the bigger systems, and skilled trades who can tap the suburbsโ€™ constant churn of remodels and new builds. Entry-level roles, especially in low-margin industries, will feel tight.

If youโ€™re eyeing Roswell, donโ€™t move without a job offer that beats the average by at least 15%. Remote can help, but local salaries still set your anchor. Come in with leverage, and Roswell pays; come in cold, and youโ€™ll be budgeting against high rent with mediocre pay.

Explore Roswell Further