Salary & Cost of Living in Duluth, GA
Duluth, GA: $47,224 median salary, cost of living index 95.5, $7.25/hr minimum wage. Calculate your take-home pay with our free paycheck calculator.
Median Salary
$47,224
$23/hr
Cost of Living
95.5
US avg = 100
Minimum Wage
$7.25
per hour
Unemployment
3.1%
rate
Duluth, GA Overview
Population
29,538
Median Salary
$47,224
Average Salary
$52,891
Avg Commute
18 min
Median Home Price
$269,000
Median Rent
$1,091/mo
Job Growth
+1.4%
Sales Tax
4%
Duluth is located in Georgia with a population of 29,538. The median household salary is $47,224 per year ($23/hour), which is $12,160 below the national median of $59,384. The average commute time is 18 minutes, and the city has a job growth rate of +1.4%.
Duluth Salary by Experience Level (2026)
Wage distribution in Duluth, GA based on BLS percentile breakdown of the $47,224 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 | $29,279 | $14.07/hr | 0–2 years |
| Mid-Level (Median) | $47,224 | $22.70/hr | 3–7 years |
| Senior-Level | $67,058 | $32.23/hr | 8–15 years |
| Top 10% (90th Percentile) | $84,059 | $40.41/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.
Duluth Paycheck Calculator
Enter your annual salary to see your estimated take-home pay in Duluth, GA, after federal, state, and local taxes.
Estimated Annual Take-Home Pay
$37,390
$3,115.87/month · $1,438.09/biweekly · Effective Rate: 20.8%
Gross Pay
$47,224
Federal Tax
-$3,628
State Tax
-$2,593
Local Tax
$0
FICA
-$3,613
Net Pay
$37,390
Pay Breakdown
| Item | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|
| Gross Salary | $3,935.33 | $47,224.00 |
| Federal Income Tax | -$302.37 | -$3,628.38 |
| Georgia State Tax (5.49%) | -$216.05 | -$2,592.60 |
| Social Security (6.2%) | -$243.99 | -$2,927.89 |
| Medicare (1.45%) | -$57.06 | -$684.75 |
| Net Take-Home Pay | $3,115.87 | $37,390.39 |
Salary Comparison: Duluth vs Other Cities
See how Duluth's median salary and cost of living compare to the national average and similar cities.
| City | Median Salary | COL Index | Adj. Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Duluth, GA | $47,224 | 95.5 | $49,449 |
| National Average | $59,384 | 100 | $59,384 |
| Mooresville, NC | $47,255 | 84.7 | $55,791 |
| Mishawaka, IN | $47,257 | 83.9 | $56,325 |
| Catalina Foothills, AZ | $47,259 | 109.8 | $43,041 |
| Country Club, FL | $47,259 | 106.3 | $44,458 |
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 Duluth
Duluth's cost of living index is 95.5 (national average = 100). Living in Duluth is 4.5% less expensive than the national average.
Median Home Price
$269,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,091
Annual Rent Cost
$13,092
Your Salary's Purchasing Power
Your $37,390 annual take-home pay in Duluth has the purchasing power of approximately $39,152 in an average-cost US area. Your $47,224 salary stretches further here than in most US cities.
Top Industries in Duluth
Duluth's economy is driven by these key industries. Workers in top industries often earn significantly above the median salary of $47,224.
Salary Tips for Duluth Workers
- 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. Duluth's top industries include Logistics, Film & TV, Technology. Targeting roles in these sectors can help you earn above the $47,224 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 Duluth salary data: Our citywide compensation figures aggregate occupation-specific salary data from BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics for the Duluth-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 Duluth indexed at 95.5.
- Median salary calculation: weighted average of Duluth's occupation-specific medians from BLS OEWS, adjusted for local cost of living. Net result: $47,224 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 Duluth: 3.1%, sourced from BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics (LAUS).
- Top industries: Logistics, Film & TV, Technology — based on QCEW employment concentration data.
- Job growth: 1.4% projected through 2034, derived from BLS Employment Projections program for Georgia.
- Housing context: median home price $269,000, median rent $1,091/mo, sourced from Census American Community Survey 5-year estimates.
Authoritative US data sources for Duluth, GA:
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) — metropolitan area salary data
- BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics — Duluth unemployment rate
- U.S. Census Bureau — Duluth 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. Duluth'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 Duluth, GA?
The median salary in Duluth, GA is $47,224 per year, or $23 per hour. The average salary is $52,891. This is $12,160 below the national median of $59,384.
What is the cost of living in Duluth, GA?
Duluth's cost of living index is 95.5 (national average = 100), meaning it is 4.5% less expensive compared to the national average. The median home price is $269,000 and the median monthly rent is $1,091.
What are the best industries in Duluth?
The top industries in Duluth, GA include Logistics, Film & TV, Technology. The city has a job growth rate of 1.4% and an unemployment rate of 3.1%. Workers in these industries often earn above the city's median salary of $47,224.
How does Duluth's salary compare to other cities?
Duluth's median salary of $47,224 is 20.5% below the national median of $59,384. However, when adjusted for cost of living (index: 95.5), the real purchasing power is approximately $49,449.
What is the minimum wage in Duluth, GA?
The minimum wage in Duluth, 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.