What does a Social Science Research Assistants salary really buy you in Wisconsin?
Wisconsin is 7.7% cheaper than the US averageData: BLS OEWS 2024 + BEA Regional Price Parities 2022 • Updated 2026-03-31
Wisconsin's Regional Price Parity (RPP) is 92.3, meaning prices are 7.7% lower the national average. A Social Science Research Assistants earning $47,380 in Wisconsin has the equivalent purchasing power of $51,332 in an average-cost US state.
Every dollar goes further in low-cost states. Here is how each salary percentile compares after adjusting for Wisconsin's cost of living.
| Percentile | Nominal Salary | COL-Adjusted | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile (P10) | $36,420 | $39,458 | +$3,038 |
| 25th Percentile (P25) | $46,140 | $49,989 | +$3,849 |
| Median (P50) | $47,380 | $51,332 | +$3,952 |
| 75th Percentile (P75) | $57,350 | $62,134 | +$4,784 |
| 90th Percentile (P90) | $81,110 | $87,876 | +$6,766 |
A Social Science Research Assistants in Wisconsin earns $47,380 on paper, but low living costs mean your money goes 8% further — like earning $51,332 in an average-cost state. This makes Wisconsin 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.
Wisconsin ranks #26 out of 39 states for Social Science Research Assistants after cost-of-living adjustment.
Some links are affiliate links. See our disclosure.
A Social Science Research Assistants in Wisconsin earns a median salary of $47,380 per year. After adjusting for Wisconsin's cost of living (RPP=92.3), the real purchasing power is $51,332 — a +8.3% difference.
Wisconsin's cost of living is 7.7% lower than the national average according to the BEA Regional Price Parities (2022). The RPP index for Wisconsin is 92.3 (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 Wisconsin: $47,380 x (100 / 92.3) = $51,332. 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 Wisconsin enjoys 8.3% 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.