Police Officer Salary

Augusta vs Savannah: Police Officer Salary (2026)

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

Augusta, GA
$60,177
$28.93/hr
Savannah, GA
$61,764
$29.69/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricAugusta, GASavannah, GA
Median Salary$60,177$61,764
Hourly Rate$28.93$29.69
Entry Level (P10)$45,264$45,491
25th Percentile$50,262$52,674
75th Percentile$65,422$63,629
Top Earner (P90)$77,996$79,614
Total Employed1,1201,090
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Augusta ($60,177) and Savannah ($61,764) police officer salaries.AugustaSavannahMedian Salary$60,177$61,764Entry Level (P10)$45,264$45,491Top Earner (P90)$77,996$79,614US Median $78,542

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Augusta and Savannah is $1,587 (2.64%). Savannah's median is -21.36% 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,Savannah spans $34,123. Savannah 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
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, Augusta ($65,479 effective) pays 0.93% more than Savannah ($64,874 effective).

Augusta
Nominal: $60,177
CoL Index: 91.903
Adjusted: $65,479
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 Augusta if…

  • Larger job market (1,120 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $65,479)
  • You prefer the Georgia area and lifestyle

Choose Savannah if…

  • Higher median salary ($61,764/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($79,614)
  • 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 33.8% growth in Savannah over the same period.

Augusta, GA

+40.9%

$41,430 (2019) → $58,390 (2025)

Savannah, GA

+33.8%

$44,780 (2019) → $59,930 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays police officers more: Augusta or Savannah?

Savannah has a higher median police officer salary at $61,764/year, compared to Augusta at $60,177/year — a difference of $1,587 (2.64%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Augusta and Savannah?

Augusta police officers earn $28.93/hr while Savannah hygienists earn $29.69/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing Augusta and Savannah. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Augusta = $65,479, Savannah = $64,874), job availability (1,120 vs 1,090 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) police officers earn $45,264 in Augusta and $45,491 in Savannah. The Savannah 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