๐Ÿ’ฐ COL Index: 96 โ€” Below Avg Cost

Salaries in Savannah, GA

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

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

Avg. Salary
$68,846
across 40 roles
COL-Adjusted Avg
$72,015
real purchasing power
Top Paying Role
Marketing Manager
$155,539
1BR Rent
$1,287
median monthly

Savannahโ€™s job market has a secret: itโ€™s a port city that runs on brains, not just boats. While everyone pictures the historic squares, the real engine here is a fast-growing tech and logistics hub thatโ€™s quietly pulling in talent from bigger, pricier cities.

Hereโ€™s the math that matters. With a cost of living index of 95.6, your paycheck buys you about 4.5% more here than the national average. Thatโ€™s not a massive discount, but itโ€™s real. Take the median household income of $56,823. After housingโ€”where a one-bedroom averages $1,287 a monthโ€”and other expenses, youโ€™re not struggling, but youโ€™re not getting rich either. Itโ€™s a solid middle-class life, not a steal.

So whoโ€™s thriving? The data points to a few clear winners. Marketing managers are pulling in a stunning $155,539, which adjusts to over $162,000 with the local cost of living. Software developers and pharmacists are also killing it, clearing six figures even after the COL adjustment. This suggests major corporate playersโ€”like the Gulfstream aerospace plant and the Port of Savannahโ€™s logistics giantsโ€”are paying a premium for specialized skills. Itโ€™s a town where a project manager can clear $100k and live very comfortably.

The catch? Wages for the average worker ($68,846) arenโ€™t exploding. The cityโ€™s affordability is holding, but itโ€™s not a free lunch. If youโ€™re in a high-demand field, Savannah is a financial sweet spot. If youโ€™re not, itโ€™s just a pretty place with a tough job market.

The numbers below will show you exactly where the money is, and whoโ€™s getting it.

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

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

๐Ÿฅ‡ -1% vs national

Marketing Manager

$155,539
๐Ÿ’ก COL-Adjusted $162,698
โฑ Hourly $74.78/hr
๐Ÿ“ˆ Job Growth +8.0%
๐Ÿ‘ฅ Jobs Here 295
๐Ÿฅˆ -1% vs national

Pharmacist

$134,234
๐Ÿ’ก COL-Adjusted $140,412
โฑ Hourly $64.54/hr
๐Ÿ“ˆ Job Growth -3.0%
๐Ÿ‘ฅ Jobs Here 295
๐Ÿฅ‰ -1% vs national

Software Developer

$125,580
๐Ÿ’ก COL-Adjusted $131,360
โฑ Hourly $60.38/hr
๐Ÿ“ˆ Job Growth +17.0%
๐Ÿ‘ฅ Jobs Here 886
4๏ธโƒฃ -1% vs national

Construction Manager

$106,781
๐Ÿ’ก COL-Adjusted $111,696
โฑ Hourly $51.34/hr
๐Ÿ“ˆ Job Growth +8.0%
๐Ÿ‘ฅ Jobs Here 295
5๏ธโƒฃ -1% vs national

Project Manager

$99,943
๐Ÿ’ก COL-Adjusted $104,543
โฑ Hourly $48.05/hr
๐Ÿ“ˆ Job Growth +6.0%
๐Ÿ‘ฅ Jobs Here 295

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

COL-Adjusted Salary = Raw salary divided by the cost of living index (96/100). Higher = more real purchasing power. This city's COL is below the US average.

# Occupation โ†• Raw Salary โ†•
1 Marketing Manager $155,539
2 Pharmacist $134,234
3 Software Developer $125,580
4 Construction Manager $106,781
5 Project Manager $99,943
6 Physical Therapist $98,393
7 Financial Analyst $97,703
8 Web Developer $91,525
9 Dental Hygienist $86,374
10 Accountant $84,943
11 Registered Nurse $84,933
12 Data Analyst $82,259
13 Insurance Agent $78,884
14 Loan Officer $75,194
15 Police Officer $73,921
16 Human Resources Specialist $66,757
17 Elementary School Teacher $62,829
18 Plumber $62,513
19 Paralegal $61,921
20 Electrician $60,737
21 Real Estate Agent $60,668
22 Graphic Designer $60,530
23 Social Worker $60,056
24 Chef/Head Cook $59,553
25 Firefighter $56,366
26 Carpenter $56,168
27 HVAC Technician $54,935
28 Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) $53,899
29 Heavy Truck Driver $52,389
30 Welder $48,935
31 Auto Mechanic $47,682
32 Personal Trainer $46,063
33 Dental Assistant $44,228
34 Veterinary Technician $42,175
35 Pharmacy Technician $39,768
36 Cosmetologist $37,863
37 Medical Assistant $37,764
38 Security Guard $35,662
39 Nursing Assistant (CNA) $35,287
40 Nail Technician $32,909

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

๐Ÿ™๏ธ Living Costs in Savannah

๐Ÿ 
1BR Rent
$1,287/mo
๐Ÿก
2BR Rent
$1,445/mo
๐Ÿ˜๏ธ
Median Home
$340,500
๐Ÿ“‰
Unemployment
3.4%
๐Ÿ’ณ
Median Income
$56,823
๐ŸŽ“
College Educated
37%
๐Ÿšถ
Walk Score
45/100
๐Ÿ“Š
Cost of Living
96
Below Avg Cost

๐Ÿงฎ Can You Afford to Live in Savannah?

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

โ“ Savannah Salary FAQ

What is the average salary in Savannah, GA?

โ–ผ
The average salary across 40 occupations in Savannah is $68,846. This is 28% above the area's median household income of $56,823. Insight: The average salary provides a strong income buffer against the city's low cost of living.

What jobs pay the most in Savannah?

โ–ผ
The highest paying role in Savannah is Marketing Manager, with an average salary of $155,539. This is 126% higher than the area's overall average salary of $68,846. Insight: This role significantly outpaces other occupations, indicating a high-value specialization in the local market.

Is Savannah affordable on a Marketing Manager salary?

โ–ผ
Yes, a Marketing Manager salary of $155,539 makes Savannah highly affordable. The cost of living index is 95.6, and a 1BR apartment rents for $1,287 per month. Insight: This salary is 2.7 times the median household income, allowing for substantial savings and discretionary spending.

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

โ–ผ
Savannah's cost of living index is 95.6, meaning it is 4.4% cheaper than the national average. A $68,846 salary in Savannah has the purchasing power of a $71,806 salary in a city with an index of 100. Insight: Your paycheck stretches further here, effectively boosting your real income by about 4.3%.

What salary do you need to live comfortably in Savannah?

โ–ผ
To live comfortably, a single person should target a salary around $80,000, which is 16% above the area's average. This allows for a 1BR rent of $1,287 (38% of a $40,000 income) while covering other expenses and saving. Insight: The city's low COL means comfort is achievable at a salary significantly below the national benchmark for major metros.

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

Savannahโ€™s numbers look cozy on paperโ€”$68,846 average, $1,287 rent, and a cost-of-living index of 95.6โ€”but the math is tight if youโ€™re not in a high-earning lane. Marketing Managers are the sweet spot at $155k+ and $162,698 COL-adjusted; most other roles wonโ€™t feel this generous. My honest verdict: worth it financially only if youโ€™re in tech, healthcare, or skilled trades commanding top rates, or youโ€™re remote with coastal pay. Hospitality and retail? Youโ€™ll scrape by. One piece of advice: lock in a job before you move and negotiate like itโ€™s bourbonโ€”Savannahโ€™s charm is real, but it wonโ€™t pay your rent.

Explore Savannah Further