Salaries in Augusta-Richmond County, GA

Here’s the thing about working in Augusta-Richmond County that the raw numbers don’t show: you can make a six-figure salary here and still feel like you’re winning. The city’s median household income is just $51,943, yet we’ve got marketing managers pulling $156,000. That gap isn’t just a statistic; it’s the story of a place where a few key roles punch way above their weight.

Let’s talk real purchasing power. With a cost of living index of 100.4, Augusta is basically priced at the national average—no bargain, no rip-off. But that’s the whole point. A software developer’s $126,000 salary adjusts to $125,498 here, meaning your paycheck doesn’t get hollowed out by housing. A one-bedroom apartment runs about $961 a month. Compared to the median income, that’s a heavy lift. But for the top earners? It’s a steal. You’re not getting crushed like you would in Atlanta or Austin.

So who’s thriving here? It’s a mix you might not expect. The healthcare and cybersecurity sectors are the big players, thanks to the massive presence of the U.S. Army Cyber Command at Fort Gordon and the Georgia Cyber Center. That fuels demand for software developers and project managers. But let’s be real—this is still the South. Construction managers and pharmacists do incredibly well here, too. The unemployment rate is a tight 3.4%, which tells you the job market is competitive, especially for skilled roles.

Here’s my honest take: the catch is that if you’re not in one of those top-paying fields, you’re probably feeling the squeeze. The average salary across all roles is $68,595, which, when adjusted for living costs, is $68,322. That’s not bad, but it’s not exactly living large when your rent eats nearly a quarter of your take-home pay. This city works beautifully for a dual-income household with one person in tech or healthcare, or for a single professional with the right skills. For everyone else, it’s a grind.

The data below breaks down who’s earning what and how far those dollars actually go.