What does a Social Science Research Assistants salary really buy you in Pennsylvania?
Pennsylvania is 3.8% cheaper than the US averageData: BLS OEWS 2024 + BEA Regional Price Parities 2022 • Updated 2026-03-31
Pennsylvania's Regional Price Parity (RPP) is 96.2, meaning prices are 3.8% lower the national average. A Social Science Research Assistants earning $54,940 in Pennsylvania has the equivalent purchasing power of $57,110 in an average-cost US state.
Every dollar goes further in low-cost states. Here is how each salary percentile compares after adjusting for Pennsylvania's cost of living.
| Percentile | Nominal Salary | COL-Adjusted | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile (P10) | $42,060 | $43,721 | +$1,661 |
| 25th Percentile (P25) | $45,900 | $47,713 | +$1,813 |
| Median (P50) | $54,940 | $57,110 | +$2,170 |
| 75th Percentile (P75) | $59,960 | $62,328 | +$2,368 |
| 90th Percentile (P90) | $75,640 | $78,627 | +$2,987 |
A Social Science Research Assistants in Pennsylvania earns $54,940 on paper, but low living costs mean your money goes 4% further — like earning $57,110 in an average-cost state. This makes Pennsylvania one of the best value states for this occupation.
Where does Social Science Research Assistants salary stretch the furthest? Top 10 states ranked by COL-adjusted median salary.
Pennsylvania ranks #13 out of 39 states for Social Science Research Assistants after cost-of-living adjustment.
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A Social Science Research Assistants in Pennsylvania earns a median salary of $54,940 per year. After adjusting for Pennsylvania's cost of living (RPP=96.2), the real purchasing power is $57,110 — a +4.0% difference.
Pennsylvania's cost of living is 3.8% lower than the national average according to the BEA Regional Price Parities (2022). The RPP index for Pennsylvania is 96.2 (US average = 100).
Regional Price Parities (RPPs) are price indexes published by the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) that measure differences in price levels across states. They are expressed as a percentage of the national average (US = 100). Higher RPP means higher cost of living.
The adjusted salary is calculated as: Nominal Salary x (100 / RPP). For a Social Science Research Assistants in Pennsylvania: $54,940 x (100 / 96.2) = $57,110. This represents what the salary would be worth in a state with average living costs.
From a purchasing power perspective, yes. A Social Science Research Assistants in Pennsylvania enjoys 4.0% more buying power than the nominal salary suggests, because living costs are below the national average. However, other factors like job availability, career growth, and quality of life also matter.