.NET Developer Salary in Augusta: $65,000-$110,000 (2026)

Augusta's below‑average cost of living (index ~87) significantly improves net purchasing power for a . NET developer compared with larger Georgia markets.

Housing is the largest driver: median rent for a 1–2 bedroom typically runs $800–$1,200/month while a modest single‑family home in suburban Richmond County can list in the $160k–$240k range. That means a .

NET developer earning the local average (~$85k) can allocate a smaller share of income to housing than peers in Atlanta. Commute costs are moderate — typical roundtrip gas and parking for suburban commutes average $80–$150/month depending on distance; traffic is less severe than major metros, lowering time and fuel costs.

Lifestyle affordability is favorable: groceries, utilities, and state taxes (Georgia income tax) are average to slightly below national levels. In practical terms, an entry‑to‑mid .

NET developer at $55–80k in Augusta can reasonably afford a mortgage or comfortable rental, modest childcare, and save at higher rates than similar earners in high‑COL cities.

Salaries for . NET developers in Augusta are shaped by a mix of public‑sector demand and a regional healthcare and defense cluster.

Fort Eisenhower (the U. S.

Army Cyber Center) creates steady demand for developers with secure coding, . NET, and Microsoft stack experience — often via contracts or cleared positions paying premium rates when security clearances are required.

Augusta University and AU Health drive healthcare IT needs (EHR integrations, middleware, APIs) where . NET remains common for internal tools and integration services.

Nearby Savannah River Site contractors (Aiken) also hire . NET talent for energy and infrastructure projects.

Conversely, the relative absence of large independent software vendors and fewer VC‑funded startups keeps base salaries below Atlanta levels. Contracting and cleared roles can push compensation above the local average; permanent roles at hospitals, county IT, and regional banks typically align with the midrange figures provided.

Compared to Columbia (~90 COL index) and Savannah (~92), Augusta offers similar or slightly lower nominal pay but often better housing affordability. Atlanta pays substantially more (average .

NET salaries near $105k) but has a COL index ~110, meaning much of the higher wage is offset by housing and commute costs. Commuting daily to Columbia or Savannah is feasible for some suburban workers but impractical for Atlanta (distance/time).

Relocation decisions depend on priorities: move to Atlanta for higher top‑end pay, larger product teams, and more senior opportunities; stay in Augusta for lower living cost and better quality of life. Remote work has become a viable option — many regional employers accept partially remote .

NET candidates, and fully remote roles based in high‑pay markets can yield substantial net gains while retaining Augusta's lower living costs. For candidates able to work remote for an Atlanta/SF employer, the arbitrage can be significant.

Typical progression in the Augusta market: entry (0–2 years) focuses on building . NET fundamentals, C#, ASP.

NET Core, SQL Server, and teamwork on small modules; expect salary growth from ~$55k to midrange within 2–3 years. Mid level (3–7 years) takes on architecture, integrations (APIs, HL7/FHIR in healthcare), and mentorship — developers commonly reach $75–90k in this window.

Senior (8+ years) and lead roles involve system design, project leadership, security/compliance (especially for Fort Eisenhower contracts), and full‑stack ownership; salaries top $100k+, with cleared senior contractors or specialist architects overshooting the local max. Accelerants to faster growth: obtaining security clearance, specializing in healthcare interoperability (FHIR), cloud certifications (Azure), and full‑stack skills (React/Angular + .

NET). Networking with regional employers and contracting for federal projects can compress timeframes and boost compensation.

When negotiating in Augusta, be explicit about local market norms and total compensation. Reasonable full‑time salary ranges: entry $50–60k, mid $70–90k, senior $95–115k depending on clearance and specialization.

Ask about Azure proficiency premiums, EHR/integration experience bonuses, and security clearance differentials — cleared roles can add $8k–$20k to annual pay or higher for contracts. Negotiate for practical benefits if base salary is constrained: flexible/remote days, paid certifications (Azure/AWS, Microsoft), student loan repayment, signing bonuses, relocation assistance, and extra PTO.

For government or contractor positions, clarify bill rates and how they translate to salary/benefits. Use local cost advantages as a bargaining point: employers in Augusta often have tighter salary bands than Atlanta, so emphasize unique skills (cleared, FHIR, cloud + .

NET) and documented impact (reduced incident rates, integration delivery times) to shift offers upward.