Social Science Research Assistants Salary
The median pay for a social science research assistants in Louisiana is $52,600/year ($25.29/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $44K at the entry level to $64K for experienced workers. Cost of living is below average (RPP 87.28), which stretches that salary to about $60,266 in buying power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $1,191/month, about 34.5% of take-home, which is tight.
Statewide average. Salary and cost of living vary significantly across Louisiana. Jump to a metro for precise data:
So what does $53K get you in Louisiana?
About social science research assistants
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What this looks like in Louisiana
Pay for social science research assistants in Louisiana runs about 15% below the U.S. median of $62K. Rent runs $1,191/month for a 2-bedroom (HUD FMR), taking 33.5% of the median take-home. That's within the 30% rule, though not by much. Regional Price Parity sits at 87.28 (national = 100), meaning everyday costs run about 13% cheaper here. Your dollar stretches further than the headline salary suggests. Use the affordability calculator above to model your specific situation.
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Louisiana
Entry-level social science research assistants (10th percentile) start around $44K. Mid-career wages sit at $53K. Top earners bring in $64K or more, a $20K spread from bottom to top.
Social Science Research Assistants salary by metro in Louisiana
3 metro areas with BLS data, ranked by median pay
| Metro area | Median salary | vs. state | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Baton Rouge | $61K | +15% | 150 |
| Lafayette | $52K | -1% | 30 |
| New Orleans-Metairie | $48K | -9% | 60 |
Compare to other states
Track social science research assistants salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Louisiana numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
Can a social science research assistant afford a 2BR apartment alone in Louisiana?
It’s a stretch — at the median salary of $53K, rent takes 33.5% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $1,191/month. The 30% guideline puts the comfortable ceiling at roughly $1,100/month in rent — so roommates or a 1-bedroom would ease the math significantly.
What’s the entry-level salary for social science research assistants in Louisiana?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new social science research assistants typically earn — is $44K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $2,633/month. At HUD’s $1,191/month FMR, rent would take 45% of that take-home — above the 30% guideline, so a 1-bedroom or shared housing is likely necessary starting out.
Is social science research assistant a high-paying job in Louisiana?
Local pay runs 15% below the national median — $53K here vs. $62K nationally. Cost of living is 13% below the national average, which narrows that gap in real purchasing power.
How does Louisiana compare to the national average for social science research assistants?
Louisiana pays $53K median vs. the U.S. average of $62K — that’s -15%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 87.28), the purchasing-power equivalent is $60K — below the national median.
How much do social science research assistants make in Louisiana?
The median is $52,600 a year, that works out to about $25 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $43,890, and experienced social science research assistants can clear $64,290. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $53K enough to live in Louisiana?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $3,554/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,191/month, which eats 33.5% of your paycheck. That's above the 30% rule of thumb, housing will be a stretch at the median salary, though you can manage with roommates or a smaller place.
How far does a social science research assistants salary go in Louisiana?
Louisiana has a Regional Price Parity of 87.28 (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 $60,266 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.