Lawyer Salary

Alpharetta vs Augusta: Lawyer Salary (2026)

Compare lawyer salaries between Alpharetta, GA and Augusta, GA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Alpharetta, GA
$113,505
$54.57/hr
Augusta, GA
$129,786
$62.39/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricAlpharetta, GAAugusta, GA
Median Salary$113,505$129,786
Hourly Rate$54.57$62.39
Entry Level (P10)$65,833$78,399
25th Percentile$81,724$89,047
75th Percentile$145,287$135,618
Top Earner (P90)$175,934$212,311
Total Employed13630
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Alpharetta ($113,505) and Augusta ($129,786) lawyer salaries.AlpharettaAugustaMedian Salary$113,505$129,786Entry Level (P10)$65,833$78,399Top Earner (P90)$175,934$212,311US Median $167,174

Verdict

Augusta, GA offers better overall compensation for lawyers, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Alpharetta.

The salary gap between Alpharetta and Augusta is $16,281 (14.34%). Augusta's median is -22.36% compared to the US national median of $167,174.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Alpharetta spans $110,101,Augusta spans $133,912. Augusta has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced lawyers.

Alpharetta
P10 (Entry)$65,833
P25$81,724
Median$113,505
P75$145,287
P90 (Top)$175,934
Augusta
P10 (Entry)$78,399
P25$89,047
Median$129,786
P75$135,618
P90 (Top)$212,311

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Augusta ($141,221 effective) pays 15.83% more than Alpharetta ($121,917 effective).

Alpharetta
Nominal: $113,505
CoL Index: 93.1
Adjusted: $121,917
Augusta
Nominal: $129,786
CoL Index: 91.903
Adjusted: $141,221

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Alpharetta if…

  • You prefer the Georgia area and lifestyle

Choose Augusta if…

  • Higher median salary ($129,786/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($212,311)
  • Larger job market (630 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $141,221)
  • You prefer the Georgia area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, lawyer salaries in Alpharetta grew -22.1% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 60.3% growth in Augusta over the same period.

Alpharetta, GA

+-22.1%

$139,187 (2024) → $108,410 (2025)

Augusta, GA

+60.3%

$77,350 (2019) → $123,960 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays lawyers more: Alpharetta or Augusta?

Augusta has a higher median lawyer salary at $129,786/year, compared to Alpharetta at $113,505/year — a difference of $16,281 (14.34%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Alpharetta and Augusta?

Alpharetta lawyers earn $54.57/hr while Augusta hygienists earn $62.39/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Alpharetta to Augusta as a lawyer?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Alpharetta and Augusta. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Alpharetta = $121,917, Augusta = $141,221), job availability (13 vs 630 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level lawyers earn in Alpharetta vs Augusta?

Entry-level (10th percentile) lawyers earn $65,833 in Alpharetta and $78,399 in Augusta. The Augusta area offers higher starting salaries.

Related Comparisons

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Written by Alexandra Chen, JD

Career Analyst

Alexandra has 10 years of experience in corporate law. She specializes in mergers and acquisitions. Alexandra works at a mid-sized law firm in New York City.

Clinically reviewed by Daniel Martinez, JDData verified by Priya Patel, JD

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 4.70% 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 Alexandra Chen, JD, a licensed lawyer with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov