Registered Nurse Salary

Augusta vs Savannah: Registered Nurse Salary (2026)

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

Augusta, GA
$92,420
$44.43/hr
Savannah, GA
$91,367
$43.92/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricAugusta, GASavannah, GA
Median Salary$92,420$91,367
Hourly Rate$44.43$43.92
Entry Level (P10)$73,464$69,536
25th Percentile$80,878$75,097
75th Percentile$105,784$105,078
Top Earner (P90)$122,834$107,753
Total Employed6,8804,200
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Augusta ($92,420) and Savannah ($91,367) registered nurse salaries.AugustaSavannahMedian Salary$92,420$91,367Entry Level (P10)$73,464$69,536Top Earner (P90)$122,834$107,753US Median $102,730

Verdict

Augusta, GA offers better overall compensation for registered nurses, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Savannah.

The salary gap between Augusta and Savannah is $1,053 (1.15%). Augusta's median is -10.04% compared to the US national median of $102,730.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Augusta spans $49,370,Savannah spans $38,217. Augusta has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Augusta
P10 (Entry)$73,464
P25$80,878
Median$92,420
P75$105,784
P90 (Top)$122,834
Savannah
P10 (Entry)$69,536
P25$75,097
Median$91,367
P75$105,078
P90 (Top)$107,753

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Augusta ($100,563 effective) pays 4.79% more than Savannah ($95,968 effective).

Augusta
Nominal: $92,420
CoL Index: 91.903
Adjusted: $100,563
Savannah
Nominal: $91,367
CoL Index: 95.206
Adjusted: $95,968

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 ($92,420/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($122,834)
  • Larger job market (6,880 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $100,563)
  • You prefer the Georgia area and lifestyle

Choose Savannah if…

  • You prefer the Georgia area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, registered nurse salaries in Augusta grew 26.9% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 34.8% growth in Savannah over the same period.

Augusta, GA

+26.9%

$69,160 (2019) → $87,760 (2025)

Savannah, GA

+34.8%

$64,360 (2019) → $86,760 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays registered nurses more: Augusta or Savannah?

Augusta has a higher median registered nurse salary at $92,420/year, compared to Savannah at $91,367/year — a difference of $1,053 (1.15%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Augusta and Savannah?

Augusta registered nurses earn $44.43/hr while Savannah hygienists earn $43.92/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Augusta to Savannah as a registered nurse?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Augusta and Savannah. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Augusta = $100,563, Savannah = $95,968), job availability (6,880 vs 4,200 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level registered nurses earn in Augusta vs Savannah?

Entry-level (10th percentile) registered nurses earn $73,464 in Augusta and $69,536 in Savannah. The Augusta area offers higher starting salaries.

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JL

Written by Jordan Lee, RN, BSN

Career Analyst

Jordan Lee has 10 years of experience as a registered nurse. Their specialty is pediatric nursing in a community hospital. They analyze nursing workforce trends and salary data.

Clinically reviewed by Amina Patel, RN, MSNData verified by Carlos Gomez, RN, DNP

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 5.31% 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, RN, BSN, a licensed registered nurse with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov