Augusta Hourly Wage & Salary 2026
Augusta, GA: $23.32/hr median hourly wage, $48,500 median annual salary, cost of living index 86, and $7.25/hr minimum wage. Calculate take-home pay with federal and Georgia taxes.
Augusta Hourly Wage Quick Answer
The median hourly wage in Augusta, GA is $23.32/hr, equivalent to $48,500 per year at 2,080 work hours. Entry-level pay estimates around $14.46/hr, senior-level pay estimates around $33.11/hr, and the local minimum wage is $7.25/hr.
Median Salary
$48,500
$23.32/hr
Cost of Living
86
US avg = 100
Minimum Wage
$7.25
per hour
Unemployment
4%
rate
Augusta, GA Overview
Population
202,081
Median Salary
$48,500
Average Salary
$54,000
Avg Commute
22 min
Median Home Price
$170,000
Median Rent
$900/mo
Job Growth
+1%
Sales Tax
8%
Augusta is located in Georgia with a population of 202,081. The median household salary is $48,500 per year ($23.32/hour), which is $10,884 below the national median of $59,384. The average commute time is 22 minutes, and the city has a job growth rate of +1%.
Augusta Salary by Experience Level (2026)
Wage distribution in Augusta, GA based on BLS percentile breakdown of the $48,500 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 | $30,070 | $14.46/hr | 0–2 years |
| Mid-Level (Median) | $48,500 | $23.32/hr | 3–7 years |
| Senior-Level | $68,870 | $33.11/hr | 8–15 years |
| Top 10% (90th Percentile) | $86,330 | $41.51/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.
Augusta Paycheck Calculator
Enter your annual salary to see your estimated take-home pay in Augusta, GA, after federal, state, and local taxes.
Estimated Annual Take-Home Pay
$38,730
$3,227.47/month · $1,489.60/biweekly · Effective Rate: 20.1%
Biweekly paycheck estimate: this salary equals about $1,489.60 take-home per paycheck after estimated Georgia and federal taxes. For the 26-paycheck formula, three-paycheck months, and withholding examples, see the Biweekly Paycheck Calculator.
Gross Pay
$48,500
Federal Tax
-$3,640
State Tax
-$2,420
Local Tax
$0
FICA
-$3,710
Net Pay
$38,730
Pay Breakdown
| Item | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|
| Gross Salary | $4,041.67 | $48,500.00 |
| Federal Income Tax | -$303.33 | -$3,640.00 |
| Georgia State Tax (4.99%) | -$201.68 | -$2,420.15 |
| Social Security (6.2%) | -$250.58 | -$3,007.00 |
| Medicare (1.45%) | -$58.60 | -$703.25 |
| Net Take-Home Pay | $3,227.47 | $38,729.60 |
Salary Comparison: Augusta vs Other Cities
See how Augusta's median salary and cost of living compare to the national average and similar cities.
| City | Median Salary | COL Index | Adj. Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Augusta, GA | $48,500 | 86 | $56,395 |
| National Average | $59,384 | 100 | $59,384 |
| Fresno, CA | $48,500 | 100 | $48,500 |
| South Bend, IN | $48,500 | 84 | $57,738 |
| Springfield, MA | $48,500 | 98 | $49,490 |
| Dayton, OH | $48,500 | 82 | $59,146 |
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 Augusta
Augusta's cost of living index is 86 (national average = 100). Living in Augusta is 14% less expensive than the national average.
Median Home Price
$170,000
Median Monthly Rent
$900
Annual Rent Cost
$10,800
Your Salary's Purchasing Power
Your $38,730 annual take-home pay in Augusta has the purchasing power of approximately $45,034 in an average-cost US area. Your $48,500 salary stretches further here than in most US cities.
Top Industries in Augusta
Augusta's economy is driven by these key industries. Workers in top industries often earn significantly above the median salary of $48,500.
Salary Tips for Augusta Workers
- Your salary goes further here. Augusta has a cost of living 14% below the national average. A salary of $48,500 here has the purchasing power of about $56,395 in an average-cost area.
- Research top industries. Augusta's top industries include Military, Healthcare, Manufacturing. Targeting roles in these sectors can help you earn above the $48,500 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 Augusta salary data: Our citywide compensation figures aggregate occupation-specific salary data from BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics for the Augusta-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 Augusta indexed at 86.
- Median salary calculation: weighted average of Augusta's occupation-specific medians from BLS OEWS, adjusted for local cost of living. Net result: $48,500 annual median.
- Tax burden reflects Georgia state income tax (4.99%) (no local income tax), sales tax (8%), and federal taxes per IRS 2026 brackets.
- Unemployment rate for Augusta: 4%, sourced from BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics (LAUS).
- Top industries: Military, Healthcare, Manufacturing — based on QCEW employment concentration data.
- Job growth: 1% projected through 2034, derived from BLS Employment Projections program for Georgia.
- Housing context: median home price $170,000, median rent $900/mo, sourced from Census American Community Survey 5-year estimates.
Authoritative US data sources for Augusta, GA:
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) — metropolitan area salary data
- BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics — Augusta unemployment rate
- U.S. Census Bureau — Augusta 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. Augusta'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 hourly wage in Augusta, GA?
The median hourly wage in Augusta, GA is $23.32 per hour. At a standard 2,080-hour work year, that equals about $48,500 per year. Entry-level workers are estimated around $14.46/hr, while senior-level workers are estimated around $33.11/hr before overtime, bonuses, or benefits.
What is the median salary in Augusta, GA?
The median salary in Augusta, GA is $48,500 per year, or $23.32 per hour. The average salary is $54,000. This is $10,884 below the national median of $59,384.
What is the cost of living in Augusta, GA?
Augusta's cost of living index is 86 (national average = 100), meaning it is 14% less expensive compared to the national average. The median home price is $170,000 and the median monthly rent is $900.
What are the best industries in Augusta?
The top industries in Augusta, GA include Military, Healthcare, Manufacturing. The city has a job growth rate of 1% and an unemployment rate of 4%. Workers in these industries often earn above the city's median salary of $48,500.
How does Augusta's salary compare to other cities?
Augusta's median salary of $48,500 is 18.3% below the national median of $59,384. However, when adjusted for cost of living (index: 86), the real purchasing power is approximately $56,395.
What is the minimum wage in Augusta, GA?
The minimum wage in Augusta, 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.