$100,000 dollars seems like it would be a great salary. For a lot of people in Louisiana not only would be considered a great salary it represents a number that is over three times the average annual income earned by workers in the state.

Photo by @alexandermilson Unsplash
Photo by @alexandermilson Unsplash
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For reference purposes, a Google search of "What is the average income in Louisiana" returned this number, $27,139.00. That figure is based on an individual salary. For households in the state, the number is slightly over $50,000. So, that's an income for two people and it still doesn't reach the $100,000 threshold.

But what does "earning $100,000 a year" really mean if you're earning that figure in your job in Louisiana? As you have probably figured out by just looking at your own paycheck what your compensation is and what you actually get paid are two very different numbers.

Jeremy
Jeremy
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As you might imagine the biggest chunk of your check that doesn't come home with you goes to state and federal tax coffers. In Louisiana, the rate for single tax filers is about 3.67% however, the collective tax burden on single filers works out to be about 25.58%, if you file jointly your collective tax burden drops to about 18.98%.

So how does that affect a $100,000 salary? Well, you don't have to be too good at math to figure out that if the government is taking roughly 25% of your money you're going to be left with 3/4 of $100,000 or about $75,000. The actual number according to GoBankingRates.com is $74,420.

Erich Schlegel / Getty Images
Erich Schlegel / Getty Images
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That number does jump up to $81,026 for those who are married filers, again the figures we are using can be attributed to GoBankingRates.com. Basically, for every dollar you earn, you're giving "the government" .20 to .25 cents.

While that might seem a bit out of line, it really isn't when you compare the same salary with tax rates in states like Mississippi, Alabama, Arkansas, and even Texas. I guess, it is what it is. And if you're fortunate enough to have an annual salary of $100,000 or more consider yourself lucky. You're earning three times the annual income in Louisiana but you're at least close to being at the top of what is considered to be middle class.

19 Straight Up Facts You Can't Argue with About Louisiana

Louisiana is truly a melting pot of cultures, consciousness, and sensibility. We have it all from the perfectly straight-laced to ridiculous and sublime. But one thing's for sure you can count on these 19 facts to be real, no matter where in the state you happen to be.

 

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