๐Ÿ’ฐ COL Index: 101 โ€” Near Avg Cost

Salaries in Johns Creek, GA

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

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

Avg. Salary
$54,529
across 40 roles
COL-Adjusted Avg
$54,043
real purchasing power
Top Paying Role
Software Developer
$127,603
1BR Rent
$1,362
median monthly

Youโ€™d assume a city with a median income of $151,344 feels flush, but Johns Creek in 2026 is a quiet lesson in suburban math. That high number doesnโ€™t mean everyoneโ€™s rich; it means the floor is high, and the cost of living is just barely keeping pace.

Letโ€™s talk purchasing power. The cost of living index sits at 100.9โ€”effectively the national average. That sounds neutral, but when you pair it with a median income thatโ€™s nearly 50% above the U.S. median, your dollar stretches a bit further than youโ€™d think. A one-bedroom rent at $1,362 isnโ€™t a steal, but for that income level, itโ€™s manageable. Youโ€™re not getting a bargain, but youโ€™re certainly not getting gouged.

The economy here is a classic white-collar suburb with a tech and healthcare backbone. Youโ€™ll find well-paid software developers at companies like Salesforce (which has a major campus nearby) and a ton of finance and accounting roles servicing the affluent population. Northside Hospital and Emory Johns Creek are huge employers for nurses, who can clear $86,000. The public schools, with a 74.8% bachelorโ€™s-degree rate among adults, are a major draw, which keeps teachers and other professionals in the area. Itโ€™s a city built for dual-income, college-educated households.

Hereโ€™s my honest take: the wages are solid, but theyโ€™re not exploding. A software developerโ€™s COL-adjusted salary is $126,465, which is strong, but itโ€™s not Silicon Valley money for a lower price. The city works beautifully for mid-career professionals and families whoโ€™ve already climbed the ladder. For someone just starting out, though, that $54,000 average salary across all roles feels tight against the rent and the expectations of the community.

The data below breaks down whoโ€™s earning what, and more importantly, what their pay can actually buy here.

๐Ÿ† Top 5 Highest-Paying Jobs in Johns Creek

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

๐Ÿฅ‡ +0% vs national

Software Developer

$127,603
๐Ÿ’ก COL-Adjusted $126,465
โฑ Hourly $61.35/hr
๐Ÿ“ˆ Job Growth +17.0%
๐Ÿฅˆ +0% vs national

Accountant

$86,312
๐Ÿ’ก COL-Adjusted $85,542
โฑ Hourly $41.50/hr
๐Ÿ“ˆ Job Growth +3.0%
๐Ÿฅ‰ +0% vs national

Registered Nurse

$86,302
๐Ÿ’ก COL-Adjusted $85,532
โฑ Hourly $41.49/hr
๐Ÿ“ˆ Job Growth +6.0%
4๏ธโƒฃ +0% vs national

Elementary School Teacher

$63,841
๐Ÿ’ก COL-Adjusted $63,272
โฑ Hourly $30.69/hr
๐Ÿ“ˆ Job Growth +3.0%
5๏ธโƒฃ +0% vs national

Electrician

$61,716
๐Ÿ’ก COL-Adjusted $61,166
โฑ Hourly $29.67/hr
๐Ÿ“ˆ Job Growth +3.0%

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

COL-Adjusted Salary = Raw salary divided by the cost of living index (101/100). Higher = more real purchasing power. This city's COL is above the US average.

# Occupation โ†• Raw Salary โ†•
1 Software Developer $127,603
2 Accountant $86,312
3 Registered Nurse $86,302
4 Elementary School Teacher $63,841
5 Electrician $61,716
6 Real Estate Agent $61,645
7 Heavy Truck Driver $53,233
8 Welder $50,134
9 Nail Technician $50,134
10 Cosmetologist $50,134
11 Chef/Head Cook $50,134
12 Personal Trainer $50,134
13 Auto Mechanic $50,134
14 Social Worker $50,134
15 Pharmacy Technician $50,134
16 Veterinary Technician $50,134
17 Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) $50,134
18 Dental Assistant $50,134
19 Firefighter $50,134
20 Project Manager $50,134
21 Graphic Designer $50,134
22 Data Analyst $50,134
23 Plumber $50,134
24 Loan Officer $50,134
25 Insurance Agent $50,134
26 Carpenter $50,134
27 Human Resources Specialist $50,134
28 Physical Therapist $50,134
29 Financial Analyst $50,134
30 Pharmacist $50,134
31 HVAC Technician $50,134
32 Nursing Assistant (CNA) $50,134
33 Police Officer $50,134
34 Dental Hygienist $50,134
35 Construction Manager $50,134
36 Marketing Manager $50,134
37 Web Developer $50,134
38 Paralegal $50,134
39 Medical Assistant $50,134
40 Security Guard $36,237

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

๐Ÿ™๏ธ Living Costs in Johns Creek

๐Ÿ 
1BR Rent
$1,362/mo
๐Ÿก
2BR Rent
$1,702/mo
๐Ÿ˜๏ธ
Median Home
$675,000
๐Ÿ“‰
Unemployment
3.4%
๐Ÿ’ณ
Median Income
$151,344
๐ŸŽ“
College Educated
75%
๐Ÿšถ
Walk Score
35/100
๐Ÿ“Š
Cost of Living
101
Near Avg Cost

๐Ÿงฎ Can You Afford to Live in Johns Creek?

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

โ“ Johns Creek Salary FAQ

What is the average salary in Johns Creek, GA?

โ–ผ
The average salary across 40 occupations in Johns Creek is $54,529 (2026). This figure is 0.9% above the national average due to a COL Index of 100.9. Insight: The city's median household income of $151,344 suggests many residents earn significantly more than this average.

What jobs pay the most in Johns Creek?

โ–ผ
The highest paying role is Software Developer at $127,603 annually. This is more than double the citywide average salary of $54,529. Insight: Tech roles command a premium in Johns Creek, reflecting the area's corporate and tech hub status.

Is Johns Creek affordable on a Software Developer salary?

โ–ผ
Yes, a Software Developer salary of $127,603 is highly affordable in Johns Creek. The annual cost for a 1BR apartment ($16,344) is only 12.8% of this income, well below the recommended 30% threshold. Insight: This leaves substantial disposable income for savings and other expenses.

How does Johns Creek's cost of living affect my paycheck?

โ–ผ
Johns Creek's COL Index of 100.9 means expenses are 0.9% higher than the national average, slightly reducing purchasing power. For a $54,529 average salary, this equates to about $490 less in real value annually. Insight: The impact is minimal, but high median household income ($151,344) indicates many residents offset this with higher earnings.

What salary do you need to live comfortably in Johns Creek?

โ–ผ
A comfortable salary is estimated at $100,000+, considering a 1BR rent of $1,362/month ($16,344/year). This allows housing to be under 20% of income, leaving room for savings and other costs. Insight: This is about 83% of the median household income, suggesting it's an achievable target for many professionals.

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

After running the numbers, hereโ€™s my honest verdict: Johns Creek isnโ€™t a slam dunk for every wallet. The cost of living is just a hair above the national average, with rent at $1,362 a month, and the average salary of $54,529 wonโ€™t leave you drowning, but you wonโ€™t feel rich.

Tech workers are the clear winners here. Software developers pull in about $127,603, and even after adjusting for the local cost of living, theyโ€™re looking at a fat $126,465 in value. If youโ€™re in healthcare or the trades, you can still do well, but you wonโ€™t see the same explosive earning potential as in tech.

My one piece of advice? If youโ€™re in software, come on downโ€”your paycheck stretches surprisingly far. For everyone else, do your homework. Make sure the salary bump justifies the move, because Johns Creekโ€™s charm comes with a price tag.

Explore Johns Creek Further