Police Officer Salary in Augusta, GA: $60,177 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time police officer in Augusta, GA earns a median $60,177/year (≈ $28.93/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 33-3051). Once you factor in Augusta's price level (8% below national, BEA RPP 91.9), that paycheck buys what $65,479 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.3% above the Georgia state average.
Official BLS data · View source
With a projected annual salary of $60,177 in 2026, policing in Augusta, Georgia, offers a compensation structure that is lower than the national median of $78,542. However, the city's police officers earn within a salary range that spans from $45,264 at the 10th percentile to $77,996 at the 90th percentile, based on estimates derived from 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026. Given the influence of pension multipliers on long-term earnings, aspiring officers should consider how their retirement benefits will factor into their overall compensation package. In Augusta, this compensation reflects the city’s economic landscape and specific market conditions, which play an important role in staff retention and recruitment strategies for law enforcement.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $45,264 | $21.77 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $50,262 | $24.17 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $60,177 | $28.93 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $65,422 | $31.45 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $77,996 | $37.50 |
Median Salary Position
23.38% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Augusta
In Augusta, GA, the police officer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $32,732 (2026 est.). At $60,177, the local median is 23.38% below the national median of $78,542.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Augusta: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Augusta Police Officer Pay Compares
Augusta median: $60,177/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Augusta Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Georgia Average | $59,997 | +0.30% more |
| National Average | $78,542 | -23.38% less |
Police Officers in Augusta, GA earn a median of $60,177 per year (2026 est.), which is 23.38% lower than the national median of $78,542 and 0.30% above the Georgia state average of $59,997.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Augusta has a cost of living 8.10% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Augusta, GA has a cost-of-living index of 91.903 (below the national average of 100). A police officer earning $60,177 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $65,479 in an average-cost city — an effective 8.81% boost.
Compare Purchasing Power
Select a city to see how your salary compares after cost of living
Select a city above to compare purchasing power
2019 BLS Actual
$41,430
2025 BLS Actual
$58,390
2026 Current Est.
$60,177
2019–2027 Growth
+49.7%
Salary Trajectory for Police Officers in Augusta (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $41,430 | Actual |
| 2020 | $46,150 | Actual |
| 2021 | $50,480 | Actual |
| 2022 | $49,140 | Actual |
| 2023 | $52,440 | Actual |
| 2024 | $57,250 | Actual |
| 2025 | $58,390 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $60,177 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $62,018 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Augusta metropolitan area, the median police officer salary grew 40.9% from $41,430 (2019) to $58,390 (2025). At a 3.06% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $62,018 by 2027 — a total increase of $20,588 (49.69%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Augusta metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 3.06% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $45,264 – $50,262 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $50,262 – $60,177 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $60,177 – $65,422 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $65,422 – $77,996 |
PO salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual police officer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Police Officer Job Market in Augusta
Augusta's job market for police officers comprises approximately 1,120 individuals currently employed in law enforcement roles, highlighting the stability and demand in the field despite local economic factors. The cost of living in the city, reflected in a relatively low index of 91.903, suggests that the take-home salary for police officers could stretch further compared to other regions. Among the various employers, municipal police departments are typically the largest hiring entities, whereas federal agencies tend to offer the most competitive salaries. The disparity in pay levels is influenced by multiple factors including agency type, union contracts that may allow for overtime compensation or special assignment stipends, and the educational bonuses that can enhance base pay. For officers looking to maximize their earnings in the Augusta area, focusing on optimal agency selection, pursuing specialized training, and negotiating advantageous shifts could provide significant long-term financial benefits.
More salary data for Augusta, GA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do police officers make in Augusta, GA in 2026?
Is Augusta, GA a good place to work as a police officer?
Can police officers make $100K in Augusta?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted police officer salary in Augusta?
How much does a police officer make per hour in Augusta?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Georgia
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
Salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $58,390 for police officersin the Augusta metropolitan area. A 3.06% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.06%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for police officers (SOC 33-3051).
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