LPN Salary

Augusta vs Rome: Licensed Practical Nurse Salary (2026)

Compare licensed practical nurse salaries between Augusta, GA and Rome, GA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Augusta, GA
$67,394
$32.40/hr
Rome, GA
$65,227
$31.36/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricAugusta, GARome, GA
Median Salary$67,394$65,227
Hourly Rate$32.40$31.36
Entry Level (P10)$54,901$42,692
25th Percentile$61,560$54,499
75th Percentile$77,351$67,881
Top Earner (P90)$79,825$76,728
Total Employed1,220440
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Augusta ($67,394) and Rome ($65,227) licensed practical nurse salaries.AugustaRomeMedian Salary$67,394$65,227Entry Level (P10)$54,901$42,692Top Earner (P90)$79,825$76,728US Median $68,071

Verdict

Augusta, GA offers better overall compensation for licensed practical nurses, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Rome.

The salary gap between Augusta and Rome is $2,167 (3.32%). Augusta's median is -0.99% compared to the US national median of $68,071.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Augusta spans $24,924,Rome spans $34,036. Rome has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced licensed practical nurses.

Augusta
P10 (Entry)$54,901
P25$61,560
Median$67,394
P75$77,351
P90 (Top)$79,825
Rome
P10 (Entry)$42,692
P25$54,499
Median$65,227
P75$67,881
P90 (Top)$76,728

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Augusta ($73,332 effective) pays 1.36% more than Rome ($72,345 effective).

Augusta
Nominal: $67,394
CoL Index: 91.903
Adjusted: $73,332
Rome
Nominal: $65,227
CoL Index: 90.161
Adjusted: $72,345

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 ($67,394/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($79,825)
  • Larger job market (1,220 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $73,332)
  • You prefer the Georgia area and lifestyle

Choose Rome if…

  • You prefer the Georgia area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, licensed practical nurse salaries in Augusta grew 51.1% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 42.9% growth in Rome over the same period.

Augusta, GA

+51.1%

$42,200 (2019) → $63,760 (2025)

Rome, GA

+42.9%

$43,180 (2019) → $61,710 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays licensed practical nurses more: Augusta or Rome?

Augusta has a higher median licensed practical nurse salary at $67,394/year, compared to Rome at $65,227/year — a difference of $2,167 (3.32%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Augusta and Rome?

Augusta licensed practical nurses earn $32.40/hr while Rome hygienists earn $31.36/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Augusta to Rome as a licensed practical nurse?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Augusta and Rome. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Augusta = $73,332, Rome = $72,345), job availability (1,220 vs 440 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level licensed practical nurses earn in Augusta vs Rome?

Entry-level (10th percentile) licensed practical nurses earn $54,901 in Augusta and $42,692 in Rome. The Augusta area offers higher starting salaries.

Related Comparisons

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Written by Aisha Malik, LPN

Career Analyst

Aisha has 10 years of experience as a licensed practical nurse. She specializes in pediatric nursing. Aisha has worked in various outpatient clinics.

Clinically reviewed by Daniel Thompson, LPNData verified by Maria Gonzalez, LPN

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 5.70% 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 Aisha Malik, LPN, a licensed licensed practical nurse with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov