Business & Finance Athens, GA Pop. 127,064

Financial Controller Salary in Athens, Georgia

The median financial controller salary in Athens, GA is $115,000 per year, which is 8% below the national median and 3.2% below the Georgia state average.

City Median
$115,000
vs State Avg
$-3,750
vs National
$-10,000
Cost of Living
90%

Financial Controller Pay in Athens: What to Expect (2026)

Athens offers a median financial controller salary of $115,000, which is $3,750 below the Georgia state average of $118,750. Compared to the national median of $125,000, Athens pays below the national benchmark for this role.

Athens's cost of living is 90% of the national average, meaning salary figures here closely reflect actual purchasing power. This makes direct comparisons to other cities straightforward.

The salary range for financial controllers in Athens spans from $71,760 at the 10th percentile to $182,160 at the 90th percentile — a $110,400 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $75,440, while senior financial controllers with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $174,800. With a population of 127,064, Athens is a mid-sized metro with a growing job market.

Financial Controller Salary in Athens by Experience

In Athens, an entry-level financial controller earns around $75,440, while experienced professionals earn up to $174,800 per year. The local cost of living index is 90% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$75,440
$-6,560 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$117,760
$-10,240 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$174,800
$-15,200 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Athens, GA

Percentile Athens
10th Percentile $71,760
25th Percentile $90,160
Median (50th) $115,000
75th Percentile $149,040
90th Percentile $182,160

Financial Controller Salary in Other Georgia Cities

Atlanta, GA
$130,000
Pop. 498,715
Savannah, GA
$117,500
Pop. 147,780
Augusta, GA
$112,500
Pop. 202,081
Columbus, GA
$110,000
Pop. 206,922

How to Become a Financial Controller in Athens

Education

Most financial controller positions require a bachelor's degree. Athens and the surrounding Georgia area have institutions offering relevant programs.

Key Skills

Financial ReportingGAAPERP SystemsBudgetingTeam LeadershipTax Compliance

Job Outlook

Nationally, financial controller employment is projected to grow 6% over the next decade (faster than average). Demand in Athens may vary based on local industry and population growth.

Find Financial Controller Jobs in Athens

Browse open financial controller positions in Athens, GA:

Indeed → LinkedIn → ZipRecruiter → Glassdoor →

Frequently Asked Questions: Financial Controller Salary in Athens

How much does a Financial Controller make in Athens, GA? ▼
The median financial controller salary in Athens, Georgia is $115,000 per year, which is 8% below the national median of $125,000. Salaries range from $71,760 (10th percentile) to $182,160 (90th percentile).
How much does a Financial Controller make per hour in Athens? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $115,000, a financial controller in Athens earns approximately $55 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Athens compare to the Georgia state average for financial controller pay? ▼
Athens's median financial controller salary of $115,000 is 3.2% below the Georgia state average of $118,750. The local cost of living index is 90% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in Athens, GA? ▼
Athens has a cost of living index of 90% compared to the national average. This means a financial controller salary of $115,000 in Athens has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a financial controller in Athens? ▼
Most financial controller positions in Athens require a bachelor's degree. Key skills include Financial Reporting, GAAP, ERP Systems, Budgeting. The job market is projected to grow 6% nationally over the next decade.