Salary & Cost of Living in Albany, GA
Albany, GA: $29,823 median salary, cost of living index 80.5, $7.25/hr minimum wage. Calculate your take-home pay with our free paycheck calculator.
Median Salary
$29,823
$14/hr
Cost of Living
80.5
US avg = 100
Minimum Wage
$7.25
per hour
Unemployment
3.8%
rate
Albany, GA Overview
Population
69,054
Median Salary
$29,823
Average Salary
$33,402
Avg Commute
20 min
Median Home Price
$120,000
Median Rent
$515/mo
Job Growth
+1.1%
Sales Tax
4%
Albany is located in Georgia with a population of 69,054. The median household salary is $29,823 per year ($14/hour), which is $29,561 below the national median of $59,384. The average commute time is 20 minutes, and the city has a job growth rate of +1.1%.
Albany Salary by Experience Level (2026)
Wage distribution in Albany, GA based on BLS percentile breakdown of the $29,823 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 | $18,490 | $8.89/hr | 0–2 years |
| Mid-Level (Median) | $29,823 | $14.34/hr | 3–7 years |
| Senior-Level | $42,349 | $20.36/hr | 8–15 years |
| Top 10% (90th Percentile) | $53,085 | $25.53/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.
Albany Paycheck Calculator
Enter your annual salary to see your estimated take-home pay in Albany, GA, after federal, state, and local taxes.
Estimated Annual Take-Home Pay
$24,364
$2,030.33/month · $937.08/biweekly · Effective Rate: 18.3%
Gross Pay
$29,823
Federal Tax
-$1,540
State Tax
-$1,637
Local Tax
$0
FICA
-$2,281
Net Pay
$24,364
Pay Breakdown
| Item | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|
| Gross Salary | $2,485.25 | $29,823.00 |
| Federal Income Tax | -$128.36 | -$1,540.26 |
| Georgia State Tax (5.49%) | -$136.44 | -$1,637.28 |
| Social Security (6.2%) | -$154.09 | -$1,849.03 |
| Medicare (1.45%) | -$36.04 | -$432.43 |
| Net Take-Home Pay | $2,030.33 | $24,364.00 |
Salary Comparison: Albany vs Other Cities
See how Albany's median salary and cost of living compare to the national average and similar cities.
| City | Median Salary | COL Index | Adj. Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Albany, GA | $29,823 | 80.5 | $37,047 |
| National Average | $59,384 | 100 | $59,384 |
| Daytona Beach, FL | $29,826 | 94.5 | $31,562 |
| Terre Haute, IN | $29,811 | 80.2 | $37,171 |
| Anderson, IN | $29,808 | 78.2 | $38,118 |
| Monroe, LA | $29,800 | 84.5 | $35,266 |
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 Albany
Albany's cost of living index is 80.5 (national average = 100). Living in Albany is 19.5% less expensive than the national average.
Median Home Price
$120,000
Median Monthly Rent
$515
Annual Rent Cost
$6,180
Your Salary's Purchasing Power
Your $24,364 annual take-home pay in Albany has the purchasing power of approximately $30,266 in an average-cost US area. Your $29,823 salary stretches further here than in most US cities.
Top Industries in Albany
Albany's economy is driven by these key industries. Workers in top industries often earn significantly above the median salary of $29,823.
Salary Tips for Albany Workers
- Your salary goes further here. Albany has a cost of living 19.5% below the national average. A salary of $29,823 here has the purchasing power of about $37,047 in an average-cost area.
- 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. Albany's top industries include Logistics, Film & TV, Technology. Targeting roles in these sectors can help you earn above the $29,823 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 Albany salary data: Our citywide compensation figures aggregate occupation-specific salary data from BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics for the Albany-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 Albany indexed at 80.5.
- Median salary calculation: weighted average of Albany's occupation-specific medians from BLS OEWS, adjusted for local cost of living. Net result: $29,823 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 Albany: 3.8%, sourced from BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics (LAUS).
- Top industries: Logistics, Film & TV, Technology — based on QCEW employment concentration data.
- Job growth: 1.1% projected through 2034, derived from BLS Employment Projections program for Georgia.
- Housing context: median home price $120,000, median rent $515/mo, sourced from Census American Community Survey 5-year estimates.
Authoritative US data sources for Albany, GA:
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) — metropolitan area salary data
- BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics — Albany unemployment rate
- U.S. Census Bureau — Albany 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. Albany'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 Albany, GA?
The median salary in Albany, GA is $29,823 per year, or $14 per hour. The average salary is $33,402. This is $29,561 below the national median of $59,384.
What is the cost of living in Albany, GA?
Albany's cost of living index is 80.5 (national average = 100), meaning it is 19.5% less expensive compared to the national average. The median home price is $120,000 and the median monthly rent is $515.
What are the best industries in Albany?
The top industries in Albany, GA include Logistics, Film & TV, Technology. The city has a job growth rate of 1.1% and an unemployment rate of 3.8%. Workers in these industries often earn above the city's median salary of $29,823.
How does Albany's salary compare to other cities?
Albany's median salary of $29,823 is 49.8% below the national median of $59,384. However, when adjusted for cost of living (index: 80.5), the real purchasing power is approximately $37,047.
What is the minimum wage in Albany, GA?
The minimum wage in Albany, 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.