Physical Therapist Pay

Augusta vs Rome: Physical Therapist Salary (2026)

Compare physical therapist salaries between Augusta, GA and Rome, GA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Augusta, GA
$99,653
$47.91/hr
Rome, GA
$106,261
$51.09/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricAugusta, GARome, GA
Median Salary$99,653$106,261
Hourly Rate$47.91$51.09
Entry Level (P10)$77,224$79,570
25th Percentile$83,833$86,948
75th Percentile$114,489$126,272
Top Earner (P90)$126,231$126,897
Total Employed330130
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Augusta ($99,653) and Rome ($106,261) physical therapist salaries.AugustaRomeMedian Salary$99,653$106,261Entry Level (P10)$77,224$79,570Top Earner (P90)$126,231$126,897US Median $105,288

Verdict

Rome, GA offers better overall compensation for physical therapists, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Augusta.

The salary gap between Augusta and Rome is $6,608 (6.63%). Rome's median is +0.92% compared to the US national median of $105,288.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Augusta spans $49,007,Rome spans $47,327. Augusta has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Augusta
P10 (Entry)$77,224
P25$83,833
Median$99,653
P75$114,489
P90 (Top)$126,231
Rome
P10 (Entry)$79,570
P25$86,948
Median$106,261
P75$126,272
P90 (Top)$126,897

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Rome ($117,857 effective) pays 8.69% more than Augusta ($108,433 effective).

Augusta
Nominal: $99,653
CoL Index: 91.903
Adjusted: $108,433
Rome
Nominal: $106,261
CoL Index: 90.161
Adjusted: $117,857

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Augusta if…

  • Larger job market (330 employed)
  • You prefer the Georgia area and lifestyle

Choose Rome if…

  • Higher median salary ($106,261/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($126,897)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $117,857)
  • You prefer the Georgia area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, physical therapist salaries in Augusta grew 13.0% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 34.1% growth in Rome over the same period.

Augusta, GA

+13.0%

$86,060 (2019) → $97,260 (2025)

Rome, GA

+34.1%

$77,320 (2019) → $103,710 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays physical therapists more: Augusta or Rome?

Rome has a higher median physical therapist salary at $106,261/year, compared to Augusta at $99,653/year — a difference of $6,608 (6.63%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Augusta and Rome?

Augusta physical therapists earn $47.91/hr while Rome hygienists earn $51.09/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Augusta to Rome as a physical therapist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Augusta and Rome. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Augusta = $108,433, Rome = $117,857), job availability (330 vs 130 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level physical therapists earn in Augusta vs Rome?

Entry-level (10th percentile) physical therapists earn $77,224 in Augusta and $79,570 in Rome. The Rome area offers higher starting salaries.

Related Comparisons

AM

Written by Alex Morgan, DPT

Career Analyst

Alex Morgan has over 10 years of experience in physical therapy. They specialize in orthopedic rehabilitation. Alex works in a private practice setting.

Clinically reviewed by Jordan Lee, DPTData verified by Maria Garcia, DPT

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 2.46% 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 Alex Morgan, DPT, a licensed physical therapist with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov