Salary & Cost of Living in Dalton, GA
Dalton, GA: $32,339 median salary, cost of living index 82.8, $7.25/hr minimum wage. Calculate your take-home pay with our free paycheck calculator.
Median Salary
$32,339
$16/hr
Cost of Living
82.8
US avg = 100
Minimum Wage
$7.25
per hour
Unemployment
3.6%
rate
Dalton, GA Overview
Population
34,200
Median Salary
$32,339
Average Salary
$36,220
Avg Commute
19 min
Median Home Price
$185,000
Median Rent
$757/mo
Job Growth
+0.6%
Sales Tax
4%
Dalton is located in Georgia with a population of 34,200. The median household salary is $32,339 per year ($16/hour), which is $27,045 below the national median of $59,384. The average commute time is 19 minutes, and the city has a job growth rate of +0.6%.
Dalton Salary by Experience Level (2026)
Wage distribution in Dalton, GA based on BLS percentile breakdown of the $32,339 median salary. Entry-level represents 10th–25th percentile; mid-level is the median; senior-level represents 75th–90th percentile.
| Experience Level | Annual Salary | Hourly Wage | Years Exp |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entry-Level | $20,050 | $9.64/hr | 0–2 years |
| Mid-Level (Median) | $32,339 | $15.55/hr | 3–7 years |
| Senior-Level | $45,921 | $22.08/hr | 8–15 years |
| Top 10% (90th Percentile) | $57,563 | $27.68/hr | 15+ years / leadership |
Percentile multipliers (62%, 100%, 142%, 178%) derived from 2024 BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics distribution across all occupations in metro areas. Specific roles vary; see jobs by city for role-specific data.
Dalton Paycheck Calculator
Enter your annual salary to see your estimated take-home pay in Dalton, GA, after federal, state, and local taxes.
Estimated Annual Take-Home Pay
$26,247
$2,187.29/month · $1,009.52/biweekly · Effective Rate: 18.8%
Gross Pay
$32,339
Federal Tax
-$1,842
State Tax
-$1,775
Local Tax
$0
FICA
-$2,474
Net Pay
$26,247
Pay Breakdown
| Item | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|
| Gross Salary | $2,694.92 | $32,339.00 |
| Federal Income Tax | -$153.52 | -$1,842.18 |
| Georgia State Tax (5.49%) | -$147.95 | -$1,775.41 |
| Social Security (6.2%) | -$167.08 | -$2,005.02 |
| Medicare (1.45%) | -$39.08 | -$468.92 |
| Net Take-Home Pay | $2,187.29 | $26,247.48 |
Salary Comparison: Dalton vs Other Cities
See how Dalton's median salary and cost of living compare to the national average and similar cities.
| City | Median Salary | COL Index | Adj. Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dalton, GA | $32,339 | 82.8 | $39,057 |
| National Average | $59,384 | 100 | $59,384 |
| Florence, SC | $32,345 | 85.5 | $37,830 |
| Covington, KY | $32,346 | 88.5 | $36,549 |
| Roswell, NM | $32,355 | 82.5 | $39,218 |
| Valdosta, GA | $32,364 | 83.2 | $38,899 |
Adjusted salary reflects purchasing power when cost of living is factored in. A higher adjusted salary means your money goes further.
Cost of Living in Dalton
Dalton's cost of living index is 82.8 (national average = 100). Living in Dalton is 17.200000000000003% less expensive than the national average.
Median Home Price
$185,000
Median Monthly Rent
$757
Annual Rent Cost
$9,084
Your Salary's Purchasing Power
Your $26,247 annual take-home pay in Dalton has the purchasing power of approximately $31,700 in an average-cost US area. Your $32,339 salary stretches further here than in most US cities.
Top Industries in Dalton
Dalton's economy is driven by these key industries. Workers in top industries often earn significantly above the median salary of $32,339.
Salary Tips for Dalton Workers
- Your salary goes further here. Dalton has a cost of living 17.200000000000003% below the national average. A salary of $32,339 here has the purchasing power of about $39,057 in an average-cost area.
- Maximize pre-tax deductions. With a 5.49% state income tax rate, maximizing 401(k) contributions (up to $24,500 in 2026) and HSA contributions can significantly reduce both your federal and state tax burden.
- Research top industries. Dalton's top industries include Logistics, Film & TV, Technology. Targeting roles in these sectors can help you earn above the $32,339 median salary.
- Review your W-4 withholding. If you regularly receive large tax refunds, adjust your W-4 to increase your per-paycheck take-home pay instead of giving the government an interest-free loan.
Methodology & Local Economy Data Sources
How we calculate Dalton salary data: Our citywide compensation figures aggregate occupation-specific salary data from BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics for the Dalton-GA metropolitan statistical area (MSA), weighted by local employment counts. Cost-of-living adjustments use the C2ER Cost of Living Index baseline of 100 (national average), with Dalton indexed at 82.8.
- Median salary calculation: weighted average of Dalton's occupation-specific medians from BLS OEWS, adjusted for local cost of living. Net result: $32,339 annual median.
- Tax burden reflects Georgia state income tax (5.49%) (no local income tax), sales tax (4%), and federal taxes per IRS 2026 brackets.
- Unemployment rate for Dalton: 3.6%, sourced from BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics (LAUS).
- Top industries: Logistics, Film & TV, Technology — based on QCEW employment concentration data.
- Job growth: 0.6% projected through 2034, derived from BLS Employment Projections program for Georgia.
- Housing context: median home price $185,000, median rent $757/mo, sourced from Census American Community Survey 5-year estimates.
Authoritative US data sources for Dalton, GA:
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) — metropolitan area salary data
- BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics — Dalton unemployment rate
- U.S. Census Bureau — Dalton QuickFacts — population, housing, demographics
- BLS Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages (QCEW) — county-level industry employment
- BLS Economy at a Glance — Georgia — state economic indicators
- U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) — local GDP and personal income data
- BLS Consumer Price Index (CPI-U) — regional inflation tracking
Disclaimer: Salary and cost data are estimates for general guidance. Individual compensation varies by employer, experience, education, negotiation, and skills. Dalton's rapidly changing economy can shift these baselines — always verify with current job listings, employer offers, and recent Georgia labor market reports for the most current figures.
Reviewed by Brazora Monk· Last updated 2026 · BLS & Census data current as of latest releases
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the median salary in Dalton, GA?
The median salary in Dalton, GA is $32,339 per year, or $16 per hour. The average salary is $36,220. This is $27,045 below the national median of $59,384.
What is the cost of living in Dalton, GA?
Dalton's cost of living index is 82.8 (national average = 100), meaning it is 17.200000000000003% less expensive compared to the national average. The median home price is $185,000 and the median monthly rent is $757.
What are the best industries in Dalton?
The top industries in Dalton, GA include Logistics, Film & TV, Technology. The city has a job growth rate of 0.6% and an unemployment rate of 3.6%. Workers in these industries often earn above the city's median salary of $32,339.
How does Dalton's salary compare to other cities?
Dalton's median salary of $32,339 is 45.5% below the national median of $59,384. However, when adjusted for cost of living (index: 82.8), the real purchasing power is approximately $39,057.
What is the minimum wage in Dalton, GA?
The minimum wage in Dalton, GA is $7.25 per hour. This equals approximately $15,080 per year for a full-time worker (40 hours/week). This matches the federal minimum wage of $7.25/hour.