USG Salary Guide: What University System of Georgia Institutions Pay by Job Category (2025)

Wondering what to expect in compensation at a University System of Georgia institution? We analyzed over 750 job postings across 17 USG institutions that publish salary data to give you the most comprehensive, data-driven salary guide available for USG careers.

Salary by Institution: The Full Picture

This table shows average advertised salary across all roles with compensation listed — giving you a baseline for each institution's pay scale.

Salary by Job Category (Based on UGA — the Most Complete Dataset)

Because UGA publishes salary information on 60% of its job postings — more than any other USG institution — it provides the best window into what different role types pay across the system. Expect variation of ±15–20% at other institutions.

Key Takeaways for Job Seekers

IT roles are the highest-paying non-faculty positions

If you have a technology background, USG institutions are actively competing for that talent. IT roles at UGA, Georgia Tech, and Kennesaw State routinely hit $80,000–$120,000 for mid-level positions. Senior IT leadership (CIO, Director of Technology) reaches $150,000+.

Director-level admin roles pay well

Don't assume "administrative" means low pay. Director-level positions — managing departments, overseeing budgets, leading teams — at USG institutions range from $90,000–$170,000. The average is pulled down by the high volume of coordinator and specialist roles at $40,000–$55,000.

Research positions vary dramatically by career stage

A first-year postdoctoral fellow might earn $22,000–$35,000 in stipend form. A senior Research Scientist or Program Director can earn $85,000–$100,000+. Research roles at Augusta University's medical campus and Georgia Tech's research institutes tend to pay more than equivalents at smaller USG schools.

Location affects your real compensation

A $60,000 salary in Athens (UGA) goes significantly further than the same salary in Atlanta (Georgia Tech, Georgia State). The Athens, GA median home price is substantially lower than Atlanta, and commute costs are minimal. Factor location into your total compensation assessment.

Benefits add significant value to the base salary

USG institutions participate in the Teachers Retirement System of Georgia (TRS) or the Optional Retirement Plan (ORP). TRS is a defined-benefit pension — increasingly rare in the private sector. Add employer health insurance contributions, tuition assistance for you and dependents, and generous PTO, and the total compensation package is typically 25–35% above the base salary listed in the posting.

How to Use This Data When Negotiating

Most USG institutions post jobs with a specific salary range already defined by the position's pay grade. Unlike the private sector, there's less room to negotiate base salary — but there is sometimes flexibility on start date, signing arrangements for faculty, and professional development allowances.

For roles at institutions that don't publish salary (Georgia State, Middle Georgia State, College of Coastal Georgia, and others), use UGA's published ranges for comparable roles as your benchmark. HR staff at these institutions are generally familiar with competitive ranges and won't be surprised if you reference them.

Salary data sourced from public job postings on official USG institution career portals, aggregated by USG Jobs. Figures reflect postings active as of May 2025 that included compensation information. Averages may not represent typical pay for all roles within a category. Always verify current compensation on the official institution posting before applying. USG Jobs is independent and not affiliated with the University System of Georgia or the Board of Regents.