Police Officer Salary

Augusta vs Brookhaven: Police Officer Salary (2026)

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

Augusta, GA
$60,177
$28.93/hr
Brookhaven, GA
$60,003
$28.85/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricAugusta, GABrookhaven, GA
Median Salary$60,177$60,003
Hourly Rate$28.93$28.85
Entry Level (P10)$45,264$36,128
25th Percentile$50,262$45,319
75th Percentile$65,422$75,216
Top Earner (P90)$77,996$93,004
Total Employed1,1208
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Augusta ($60,177) and Brookhaven ($60,003) police officer salaries.AugustaBrookhavenMedian Salary$60,177$60,003Entry Level (P10)$45,264$36,128Top Earner (P90)$77,996$93,004US Median $78,542

Verdict

Augusta, GA offers better overall compensation for police officers, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Brookhaven.

The salary gap between Augusta and Brookhaven is $174 (0.29%). Augusta's median is -23.38% compared to the US national median of $78,542.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Augusta spans $32,732,Brookhaven spans $56,876. Brookhaven has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced police officers.

Augusta
P10 (Entry)$45,264
P25$50,262
Median$60,177
P75$65,422
P90 (Top)$77,996
Brookhaven
P10 (Entry)$36,128
P25$45,319
Median$60,003
P75$75,216
P90 (Top)$93,004

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Augusta ($65,479 effective) pays 1.60% more than Brookhaven ($64,450 effective).

Augusta
Nominal: $60,177
CoL Index: 91.903
Adjusted: $65,479
Brookhaven
Nominal: $60,003
CoL Index: 93.1
Adjusted: $64,450

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Augusta if…

  • Higher median salary ($60,177/year)
  • Larger job market (1,120 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $65,479)
  • You prefer the Georgia area and lifestyle

Choose Brookhaven if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($93,004)
  • You prefer the Georgia area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, police officer salaries in Augusta grew 40.9% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 13.7% growth in Brookhaven over the same period.

Augusta, GA

+40.9%

$41,430 (2019) → $58,390 (2025)

Brookhaven, GA

+13.7%

$51,202 (2024) → $58,221 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays police officers more: Augusta or Brookhaven?

Augusta has a higher median police officer salary at $60,177/year, compared to Brookhaven at $60,003/year — a difference of $174 (0.29%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Augusta and Brookhaven?

Augusta police officers earn $28.93/hr while Brookhaven hygienists earn $28.85/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Augusta to Brookhaven as a police officer?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Augusta and Brookhaven. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Augusta = $65,479, Brookhaven = $64,450), job availability (1,120 vs 8 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level police officers earn in Augusta vs Brookhaven?

Entry-level (10th percentile) police officers earn $45,264 in Augusta and $36,128 in Brookhaven. The Augusta 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