Salary & Cost of Living in Central, LA
Central, LA: $38,631 median salary, cost of living index 89.5, $7.25/hr minimum wage. Calculate your take-home pay with our free paycheck calculator.
Median Salary
$38,631
$19/hr
Cost of Living
89.5
US avg = 100
Minimum Wage
$7.25
per hour
Unemployment
3.9%
rate
Central, LA Overview
Population
29,786
Median Salary
$38,631
Average Salary
$43,267
Avg Commute
19 min
Median Home Price
$196,000
Median Rent
$799/mo
Job Growth
+1%
Sales Tax
4.45%
Central is located in Louisiana with a population of 29,786. The median household salary is $38,631 per year ($19/hour), which is $20,753 below the national median of $59,384. The average commute time is 19 minutes, and the city has a job growth rate of +1%.
Central Salary by Experience Level (2026)
Wage distribution in Central, LA based on BLS percentile breakdown of the $38,631 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 | $23,951 | $11.51/hr | 0–2 years |
| Mid-Level (Median) | $38,631 | $18.57/hr | 3–7 years |
| Senior-Level | $54,856 | $26.37/hr | 8–15 years |
| Top 10% (90th Percentile) | $68,763 | $33.05/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.
Central Paycheck Calculator
Enter your annual salary to see your estimated take-home pay in Central, LA, after federal, state, and local taxes.
Estimated Annual Take-Home Pay
$31,437
$2,619.72/month · $1,209.10/biweekly · Effective Rate: 18.6%
Gross Pay
$38,631
Federal Tax
-$2,597
State Tax
-$1,642
Local Tax
$0
FICA
-$2,955
Net Pay
$31,437
Pay Breakdown
| Item | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|
| Gross Salary | $3,219.25 | $38,631.00 |
| Federal Income Tax | -$216.44 | -$2,597.22 |
| Louisiana State Tax (4.25%) | -$136.82 | -$1,641.82 |
| Social Security (6.2%) | -$199.59 | -$2,395.12 |
| Medicare (1.45%) | -$46.68 | -$560.15 |
| Net Take-Home Pay | $2,619.72 | $31,436.69 |
Salary Comparison: Central vs Other Cities
See how Central's median salary and cost of living compare to the national average and similar cities.
| City | Median Salary | COL Index | Adj. Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Central, LA | $38,631 | 89.5 | $43,163 |
| National Average | $59,384 | 100 | $59,384 |
| Clovis, NM | $38,644 | 90.2 | $42,843 |
| Greer, SC | $38,723 | 85.7 | $45,184 |
| Prairieville, LA | $38,805 | 92 | $42,179 |
| Bixby, OK | $38,373 | 88.5 | $43,359 |
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 Central
Central's cost of living index is 89.5 (national average = 100). Living in Central is 10.5% less expensive than the national average.
Median Home Price
$196,000
Median Monthly Rent
$799
Annual Rent Cost
$9,588
Your Salary's Purchasing Power
Your $31,437 annual take-home pay in Central has the purchasing power of approximately $35,125 in an average-cost US area. Your $38,631 salary stretches further here than in most US cities.
Top Industries in Central
Central's economy is driven by these key industries. Workers in top industries often earn significantly above the median salary of $38,631.
Salary Tips for Central Workers
- Your salary goes further here. Central has a cost of living 10.5% below the national average. A salary of $38,631 here has the purchasing power of about $43,163 in an average-cost area.
- Research top industries. Central's top industries include Energy, Petrochemical, Tourism. Targeting roles in these sectors can help you earn above the $38,631 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 Central salary data: Our citywide compensation figures aggregate occupation-specific salary data from BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics for the Central-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 Central indexed at 89.5.
- Median salary calculation: weighted average of Central's occupation-specific medians from BLS OEWS, adjusted for local cost of living. Net result: $38,631 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 Central: 3.9%, sourced from BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics (LAUS).
- Top industries: Energy, Petrochemical, Tourism — based on QCEW employment concentration data.
- Job growth: 1% projected through 2034, derived from BLS Employment Projections program for Louisiana.
- Housing context: median home price $196,000, median rent $799/mo, sourced from Census American Community Survey 5-year estimates.
Authoritative US data sources for Central, LA:
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) — metropolitan area salary data
- BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics — Central unemployment rate
- U.S. Census Bureau — Central 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. Central'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 Central, LA?
The median salary in Central, LA is $38,631 per year, or $19 per hour. The average salary is $43,267. This is $20,753 below the national median of $59,384.
What is the cost of living in Central, LA?
Central's cost of living index is 89.5 (national average = 100), meaning it is 10.5% less expensive compared to the national average. The median home price is $196,000 and the median monthly rent is $799.
What are the best industries in Central?
The top industries in Central, LA include Energy, Petrochemical, Tourism. The city has a job growth rate of 1% and an unemployment rate of 3.9%. Workers in these industries often earn above the city's median salary of $38,631.
How does Central's salary compare to other cities?
Central's median salary of $38,631 is 34.9% below the national median of $59,384. However, when adjusted for cost of living (index: 89.5), the real purchasing power is approximately $43,163.
What is the minimum wage in Central, LA?
The minimum wage in Central, 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.