Social Science Research Assistants Salary in Lafayette, LA
The median pay for a social science research assistants in Lafayette, LA is $50,750/year ($24.4/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $50K at the entry level to $83K for experienced workers. Cost of living is below average (RPP 87.21), which stretches that salary to about $58,193 in buying power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $1,019/month — about 30.6% of take-home, which is tight.
So what does $51K get you in Lafayette?
Groceries, utilities, transportation, and healthcare scaled from national averages by Lafayette’s Regional Price Parity (87.21). Rent from HUD Fair Market Rents. Taxes estimated for single filer, standard deduction. * Healthcare is the employee-paid share only (premiums + out-of-pocket). Actual costs vary by coverage type: employer-sponsored, ACA marketplace, or uninsured.
About social science research assistants
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Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Lafayette, LA
Entry-level social science research assistants (10th percentile) start around $50K. Mid-career wages sit at $51K. Top earners bring in $83K or more, a $33K spread from bottom to top.
Social Science Research Assistants pay across states
Median income ranked highest to lowest, compared to the national figure
| State | Median salary | vs. national | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ohio | $71K | +22% | 150 |
| South Carolina | $67K | +15% | 840 |
| Kansas | $64K | +10% | 170 |
| Georgia | $64K | +10% | 2,040 |
| District of Columbia | $64K | +10% | 1,740 |
| Kentucky | $63K | +8% | 1,100 |
| Maryland | $62K | +7% | 710 |
| New York | $60K | +4% | 2,990 |
| Massachusetts | $60K | +4% | N/A |
| Arizona | $59K | +2% | 670 |
| North Carolina | $58K | +1% | 3,470 |
| Oregon | $58K | -0% | 170 |
| Oklahoma | $57K | -2% | 120 |
| New Jersey | $56K | -3% | 320 |
| Florida | $56K | -4% | 1,090 |
| Texas | $55K | -4% | 1,430 |
| Pennsylvania | $55K | -5% | 1,270 |
| Illinois | $55K | -6% | 230 |
| Louisiana | $53K | -9% | 200 |
| New Hampshire | $53K | -9% | 120 |
| West Virginia | $53K | -9% | 440 |
| Nebraska | $52K | -11% | 250 |
| Michigan | $52K | -11% | 670 |
| Missouri | $52K | -11% | N/A |
| Idaho | $52K | -11% | 200 |
| Virginia | $50K | -14% | 510 |
| Indiana | $50K | -14% | 200 |
| Connecticut | $50K | -14% | 50 |
| Washington | $50K | -14% | 500 |
| California | $49K | -16% | 5,610 |
| Rhode Island | $49K | -16% | 200 |
| Maine | $48K | -17% | 120 |
| Wisconsin | $47K | -18% | 100 |
| Montana | $47K | -19% | 70 |
| Minnesota | $47K | -20% | 60 |
| Vermont | $45K | -23% | 40 |
| New Mexico | $44K | -24% | 110 |
| Tennessee | $38K | -35% | 110 |
| Iowa | $31K | -46% | 150 |
Showing 1–10 of 39 states
BLS does not publish data for every state when sample sizes are too small
Track social science research assistants salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Lafayette numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
How much do social science research assistants make in Lafayette, LA?
The median is $50,750 a year, that works out to about $24 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $49,600, and experienced social science research assistants can clear $82,780. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $51K enough to live in Lafayette?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $3,437/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,019/month, which eats 29.6% of your paycheck. That's under the 30% guideline most financial planners use, so the numbers work.
How far does a social science research assistants salary go in Lafayette?
Lafayette has a Regional Price Parity of 87.21 (100 is the national average). That's below average, your money stretches further here than the raw salary number suggests. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median social science research assistants salary is worth about $58,193 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do social science research assistants get paid the most?
The table above ranks every state by median pay for this role. Keep in mind that the highest-paying states tend to have the highest costs of living, so the top salary doesn't always mean the most money in your pocket.