Mechanical Engineer Salary

Augusta vs Newnan: Mechanical Engineer Salary (2026)

Compare mechanical engineer salaries between Augusta, GA and Newnan, GA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Augusta, GA
$132,499
$63.71/hr
Newnan, GA
$100,613
$48.37/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricAugusta, GANewnan, GA
Median Salary$132,499$100,613
Hourly Rate$63.71$48.37
Entry Level (P10)$84,333$76,922
25th Percentile$100,666$84,155
75th Percentile$171,197$127,279
Top Earner (P90)$198,687$155,109
Total Employed98010
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Augusta ($132,499) and Newnan ($100,613) mechanical engineer salaries.AugustaNewnanMedian Salary$132,499$100,613Entry Level (P10)$84,333$76,922Top Earner (P90)$198,687$155,109US Median $107,150

Verdict

Augusta, GA offers better overall compensation for mechanical engineers, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Newnan.

The salary gap between Augusta and Newnan is $31,886 (31.69%). Augusta's median is +23.66% compared to the US national median of $107,150.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Augusta spans $114,354,Newnan spans $78,187. Augusta has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Augusta
P10 (Entry)$84,333
P25$100,666
Median$132,499
P75$171,197
P90 (Top)$198,687
Newnan
P10 (Entry)$76,922
P25$84,155
Median$100,613
P75$127,279
P90 (Top)$155,109

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Augusta ($144,173 effective) pays 33.41% more than Newnan ($108,070 effective).

Augusta
Nominal: $132,499
CoL Index: 91.903
Adjusted: $144,173
Newnan
Nominal: $100,613
CoL Index: 93.1
Adjusted: $108,070

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 ($132,499/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($198,687)
  • Larger job market (980 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $144,173)
  • You prefer the Georgia area and lifestyle

Choose Newnan if…

  • You prefer the Georgia area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, mechanical engineer salaries in Augusta grew 14.5% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 11.3% growth in Newnan over the same period.

Augusta, GA

+14.5%

$112,450 (2019) → $128,740 (2025)

Newnan, GA

+11.3%

$87,796 (2024) → $97,758 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays mechanical engineers more: Augusta or Newnan?

Augusta has a higher median mechanical engineer salary at $132,499/year, compared to Newnan at $100,613/year — a difference of $31,886 (31.69%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Augusta and Newnan?

Augusta mechanical engineers earn $63.71/hr while Newnan hygienists earn $48.37/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Augusta to Newnan as a mechanical engineer?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Augusta and Newnan. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Augusta = $144,173, Newnan = $108,070), job availability (980 vs 10 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level mechanical engineers earn in Augusta vs Newnan?

Entry-level (10th percentile) mechanical engineers earn $84,333 in Augusta and $76,922 in Newnan. The Augusta area offers higher starting salaries.

Related Comparisons

AP

Written by Amina Patel, PE

Career Analyst

Amina has 10 years of experience in mechanical engineering. She specializes in thermal analysis and works in the automotive industry.

Clinically reviewed by Jamal Robinson, PhDData verified by Lina Zhang, MS

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 2.92% 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 Amina Patel, PE, a licensed mechanical engineer with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov