Salary & Cost of Living in Alexandria, LA
Alexandria, LA: $29,799 median salary, cost of living index 86.2, $7.25/hr minimum wage. Calculate your take-home pay with our free paycheck calculator.
Median Salary
$29,799
$14/hr
Cost of Living
86.2
US avg = 100
Minimum Wage
$7.25
per hour
Unemployment
3.1%
rate
Alexandria, LA Overview
Population
46,545
Median Salary
$29,799
Average Salary
$33,375
Avg Commute
17 min
Median Home Price
$165,000
Median Rent
$683/mo
Job Growth
+2.4%
Sales Tax
4.45%
Alexandria is located in Louisiana with a population of 46,545. The median household salary is $29,799 per year ($14/hour), which is $29,585 below the national median of $59,384. The average commute time is 17 minutes, and the city has a job growth rate of +2.4%.
Alexandria Salary by Experience Level (2026)
Wage distribution in Alexandria, LA based on BLS percentile breakdown of the $29,799 median salary. Entry-level represents 10th–25th percentile; mid-level is the median; senior-level represents 75th–90th percentile.
| Experience Level | Annual Salary | Hourly Wage | Years Exp |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entry-Level | $18,475 | $8.88/hr | 0–2 years |
| Mid-Level (Median) | $29,799 | $14.33/hr | 3–7 years |
| Senior-Level | $42,315 | $20.35/hr | 8–15 years |
| Top 10% (90th Percentile) | $53,042 | $25.51/hr | 15+ years / leadership |
Percentile multipliers (62%, 100%, 142%, 178%) derived from 2024 BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics distribution across all occupations in metro areas. Specific roles vary; see jobs by city for role-specific data.
Alexandria Paycheck Calculator
Enter your annual salary to see your estimated take-home pay in Alexandria, LA, after federal, state, and local taxes.
Estimated Annual Take-Home Pay
$24,716
$2,059.63/month · $950.60/biweekly · Effective Rate: 17.1%
Gross Pay
$29,799
Federal Tax
-$1,537
State Tax
-$1,266
Local Tax
$0
FICA
-$2,280
Net Pay
$24,716
Pay Breakdown
| Item | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|
| Gross Salary | $2,483.25 | $29,799.00 |
| Federal Income Tax | -$128.12 | -$1,537.38 |
| Louisiana State Tax (4.25%) | -$105.54 | -$1,266.46 |
| Social Security (6.2%) | -$153.96 | -$1,847.54 |
| Medicare (1.45%) | -$36.01 | -$432.09 |
| Net Take-Home Pay | $2,059.63 | $24,715.54 |
Salary Comparison: Alexandria vs Other Cities
See how Alexandria's median salary and cost of living compare to the national average and similar cities.
| City | Median Salary | COL Index | Adj. Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alexandria, LA | $29,799 | 86.2 | $34,570 |
| National Average | $59,384 | 100 | $59,384 |
| Monroe, LA | $29,800 | 84.5 | $35,266 |
| Hot Springs, AR | $29,791 | 82.8 | $35,979 |
| Anderson, IN | $29,808 | 78.2 | $38,118 |
| Spartanburg, SC | $29,790 | 84.8 | $35,130 |
Adjusted salary reflects purchasing power when cost of living is factored in. A higher adjusted salary means your money goes further.
Cost of Living in Alexandria
Alexandria's cost of living index is 86.2 (national average = 100). Living in Alexandria is 13.799999999999997% less expensive than the national average.
Median Home Price
$165,000
Median Monthly Rent
$683
Annual Rent Cost
$8,196
Your Salary's Purchasing Power
Your $24,716 annual take-home pay in Alexandria has the purchasing power of approximately $28,672 in an average-cost US area. Your $29,799 salary stretches further here than in most US cities.
Top Industries in Alexandria
Alexandria's economy is driven by these key industries. Workers in top industries often earn significantly above the median salary of $29,799.
Salary Tips for Alexandria Workers
- Your salary goes further here. Alexandria has a cost of living 13.799999999999997% below the national average. A salary of $29,799 here has the purchasing power of about $34,570 in an average-cost area.
- Research top industries. Alexandria's top industries include Energy, Petrochemical, Tourism. Targeting roles in these sectors can help you earn above the $29,799 median salary.
- Review your W-4 withholding. If you regularly receive large tax refunds, adjust your W-4 to increase your per-paycheck take-home pay instead of giving the government an interest-free loan.
Methodology & Local Economy Data Sources
How we calculate Alexandria salary data: Our citywide compensation figures aggregate occupation-specific salary data from BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics for the Alexandria-LA metropolitan statistical area (MSA), weighted by local employment counts. Cost-of-living adjustments use the C2ER Cost of Living Index baseline of 100 (national average), with Alexandria indexed at 86.2.
- Median salary calculation: weighted average of Alexandria's occupation-specific medians from BLS OEWS, adjusted for local cost of living. Net result: $29,799 annual median.
- Tax burden reflects Louisiana state income tax (4.25%) (no local income tax), sales tax (4.45%), and federal taxes per IRS 2026 brackets.
- Unemployment rate for Alexandria: 3.1%, sourced from BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics (LAUS).
- Top industries: Energy, Petrochemical, Tourism — based on QCEW employment concentration data.
- Job growth: 2.4% projected through 2034, derived from BLS Employment Projections program for Louisiana.
- Housing context: median home price $165,000, median rent $683/mo, sourced from Census American Community Survey 5-year estimates.
Authoritative US data sources for Alexandria, LA:
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) — metropolitan area salary data
- BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics — Alexandria unemployment rate
- U.S. Census Bureau — Alexandria QuickFacts — population, housing, demographics
- BLS Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages (QCEW) — county-level industry employment
- BLS Economy at a Glance — Louisiana — state economic indicators
- U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) — local GDP and personal income data
- BLS Consumer Price Index (CPI-U) — regional inflation tracking
Disclaimer: Salary and cost data are estimates for general guidance. Individual compensation varies by employer, experience, education, negotiation, and skills. Alexandria's rapidly changing economy can shift these baselines — always verify with current job listings, employer offers, and recent Louisiana labor market reports for the most current figures.
Reviewed by Brazora Monk· Last updated 2026 · BLS & Census data current as of latest releases
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the median salary in Alexandria, LA?
The median salary in Alexandria, LA is $29,799 per year, or $14 per hour. The average salary is $33,375. This is $29,585 below the national median of $59,384.
What is the cost of living in Alexandria, LA?
Alexandria's cost of living index is 86.2 (national average = 100), meaning it is 13.799999999999997% less expensive compared to the national average. The median home price is $165,000 and the median monthly rent is $683.
What are the best industries in Alexandria?
The top industries in Alexandria, LA include Energy, Petrochemical, Tourism. The city has a job growth rate of 2.4% and an unemployment rate of 3.1%. Workers in these industries often earn above the city's median salary of $29,799.
How does Alexandria's salary compare to other cities?
Alexandria's median salary of $29,799 is 49.8% below the national median of $59,384. However, when adjusted for cost of living (index: 86.2), the real purchasing power is approximately $34,570.
What is the minimum wage in Alexandria, LA?
The minimum wage in Alexandria, LA is $7.25 per hour. This equals approximately $15,080 per year for a full-time worker (40 hours/week). This matches the federal minimum wage of $7.25/hour.