Police Officer Salary

Atlanta vs Savannah: Police Officer Salary (2026)

Compare police officer salaries between Atlanta, GA and Savannah, GA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Atlanta, GA
$62,774
$30.19/hr
Savannah, GA
$61,764
$29.69/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricAtlanta, GASavannah, GA
Median Salary$62,774$61,764
Hourly Rate$30.19$29.69
Entry Level (P10)$50,190$45,491
25th Percentile$56,745$52,674
75th Percentile$72,966$63,629
Top Earner (P90)$81,706$79,614
Total Employed11,3101,090
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Atlanta ($62,774) and Savannah ($61,764) police officer salaries.AtlantaSavannahMedian Salary$62,774$61,764Entry Level (P10)$50,190$45,491Top Earner (P90)$81,706$79,614US Median $78,542

Verdict

Atlanta, GA offers better overall compensation for police officers, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Savannah.

The salary gap between Atlanta and Savannah is $1,010 (1.64%). Atlanta's median is -20.08% compared to the US national median of $78,542.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Atlanta spans $31,516,Savannah spans $34,123. Savannah has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced police officers.

Atlanta
P10 (Entry)$50,190
P25$56,745
Median$62,774
P75$72,966
P90 (Top)$81,706
Savannah
P10 (Entry)$45,491
P25$52,674
Median$61,764
P75$63,629
P90 (Top)$79,614

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Savannah ($64,874 effective) pays 3.41% more than Atlanta ($62,738 effective).

Atlanta
Nominal: $62,774
CoL Index: 100.058
Adjusted: $62,738
Savannah
Nominal: $61,764
CoL Index: 95.206
Adjusted: $64,874

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Atlanta if…

  • Higher median salary ($62,774/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($81,706)
  • Larger job market (11,310 employed)
  • You prefer the Georgia area and lifestyle

Choose Savannah if…

  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $64,874)
  • You prefer the Georgia area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, police officer salaries in Atlanta grew 27.3% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 33.8% growth in Savannah over the same period.

Atlanta, GA

+27.3%

$47,830 (2019) → $60,910 (2025)

Savannah, GA

+33.8%

$44,780 (2019) → $59,930 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays police officers more: Atlanta or Savannah?

Atlanta has a higher median police officer salary at $62,774/year, compared to Savannah at $61,764/year — a difference of $1,010 (1.64%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Atlanta and Savannah?

Atlanta police officers earn $30.19/hr while Savannah hygienists earn $29.69/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Atlanta to Savannah as a police officer?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Atlanta and Savannah. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Atlanta = $62,738, Savannah = $64,874), job availability (11,310 vs 1,090 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level police officers earn in Atlanta vs Savannah?

Entry-level (10th percentile) police officers earn $50,190 in Atlanta and $45,491 in Savannah. The Atlanta area offers higher starting salaries.

Related Comparisons

JL

Written by Jordan Lee, BA Criminal Justice

Career Analyst

Jordan Lee has over 10 years of experience in law enforcement. They specialize in community policing strategies. Jordan works with a municipal police department.

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 3.06% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

Compiled and verified by Jordan Lee, BA Criminal Justice, a licensed police officer with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov