Ever tried to look up exactly how much your neighbor makes working for the state? It’s a bit of a Georgia pastime. Honestly, the transparency laws here are pretty intense. If you’re a state employee, your paycheck is basically public record. But finding the truth in the massive sea of data can feel like trying to drink from a firehose.
Most people assume "public employee" means a modest, middle-class living. For thousands of hard-working folks in the Department of Driver Services or Human Services, that's exactly what it is. But then you see a football coach's name at the top of the list with a string of zeros that looks like a phone number. It's confusing.
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The Reality of Georgia Public Employee Salaries
Let's cut to the chase. The average state employee in Georgia pulls in somewhere around $48,000 to $52,000 a year. That’s the "boots on the ground" number. Of course, that’s just a median. You’ve got people starting in entry-level administrative roles making closer to $26,000, while senior engineers at the Department of Transportation (GDOT) can easily clear $100,000.
What’s wild is the recent shift in the budget. Governor Brian Kemp and the legislature have been dumping money into raises to stop the "brain drain." In the fiscal year 2025 budget, most state workers saw a 4% cost-of-living adjustment (COLA). Some agencies struggling with massive turnover, like law enforcement and corrections, got even bigger bumps—specifically a $3,000 one-time increase for some and targeted raises for others.
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Who Actually Makes the Big Bucks?
If you look at the 2024 and 2025 data, the highest-paid list is basically a sports page. Kirby Smart, the UGA head football coach, sits at the top with a salary that hit $12.2 million in the most recent filings. It’s a staggering number. But he isn't alone at the top. The University System of Georgia (USG) is where almost all the million-dollar salaries live.
It’s not just coaches, though. You’ve got folks like Griff Lynch, the President and CEO of the Georgia Ports Authority. He makes around $1.4 million. Why? Because the ports in Savannah and Brunswick are massive economic engines that compete globally. Then there's the Teachers Retirement System (TRS). Their Chief Investment Officer, Charles Cary, earns over $1 million because, frankly, he’s managing billions of dollars in pension funds. If he leaves for Wall Street, Georgia loses that expertise.
How to Search the Open Georgia Database
You don't need a private investigator. The Open Georgia portal is the official gateway. It’s run by the Department of Audits and Accounts (DOAA). You can search by name, title, or agency.
- Head to open.ga.gov.
- Click on the "Salaries and Travel Reimbursements" section.
- Choose the fiscal year. (Pro tip: Data for the previous fiscal year usually drops in late summer or fall).
- Type in a last name. You have to use the "Lastname, Firstname" format with no space after the comma to get a perfect match.
The system is a bit clunky. It feels like 2008 in there. But the data is real. It’s unaudited, meaning it’s what the agencies reported before the final bean-counters finished their coffee, but it’s the most accurate look you’ll get.
The Gap Between High and Low
There is a massive divide in the Georgia public employee salaries landscape. While university presidents and port directors are doing great, the folks in the Department of Corrections or the Department of Family and Children Services (DFCS) have historically struggled.
- Law Enforcement: Recent budgets have prioritized these roles, pushing starting pay for state troopers and correctional officers higher to compete with private security and local police.
- Education: Teachers got a $2,500 raise in the 2025 budget. It’s progress, but many still argue it hasn’t kept pace with inflation in metro Atlanta.
- Judicial: A new law, HB 86, changed how judges get paid starting July 2025. Instead of a flat number, their pay is now tied to a percentage of what federal district court judges make.
Does Location Matter?
Absolutely. A state worker in Fulton County might have the same "pay grade" as one in Ware County, but the take-home reality is different. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics shows that average weekly wages in Fulton are north of $2,200, while in more rural counties, it’s closer to $1,000. The state doesn't always adjust your base pay for the cost of living in Atlanta versus Valdosta, which makes those metro jobs a lot harder to fill.
Why This Data Matters to You
If you’re looking for a job, this is your leverage. Don't go into an interview guessing. If you know the person who had the job before you was making $62,400, you know exactly where to start your negotiation.
If you're a taxpayer, it's your right to know. Transparency keeps the system honest. When you see a "travel reimbursement" for a state official that costs more than your car, you can ask questions. It’s all there in the Open Georgia CSV exports.
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Moving Forward With This Info
You've got the tools now. Whether you're researching a career move or just satisfyng your curiosity, the data is your best friend.
- Check the DOAA reports: They publish "Salaries and Expense Reimbursements" annually. This is the "gold standard" document.
- Watch the legislative session: Every January, the "Amended Budget" and the "Big Budget" are debated. This is where your raises live or die.
- Compare agencies: Some agencies, like the Department of Banking and Finance or GDOT, tend to have higher average pay than others because of the technical certifications required.
Take a look at the Open Georgia portal today. Search for a title like "Information Technology" or "Environmental Specialist" to see what the current market rate is for those roles in the public sector. You might be surprised at how competitive some of these specialized state roles have become.