How much does a social science research assistant make?
The median social science research assistant in the United States earns $58,040 per year, about $27.90 an hour. That is the midpoint of the profession: half of all social science research assistants earn more, and half earn less.
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2024. SOC code 19-4061.
Social science research assistant salary range
Pay for social science research assistants spans a wide band. The lowest paid 10 percent earn under $36,410 a year, while the highest paid 10 percent take home more than $100,620. The average (mean) wage of $63,560 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $36,410 | $17.50 | Lowest paid |
| 25th percentile | $46,190 | $22.21 | |
| Median (50th) | $58,040 | $27.90 | Midpoint |
| 75th percentile | $73,060 | $35.13 | |
| 90th percentile | $100,620 | $48.38 | Highest paid |
Figures are national wage estimates for social science research assistants (SOC 19-4061), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2024.
Social science research assistant salary by state
Where you work changes the paycheck. Social science research assistants earn the most in Ohio at $70,670 a year, and the least in Iowa at $31,150. The table below lists every state with published data, ranked by median annual salary.
| State | Median annual | Employed |
|---|---|---|
| Ohio | $70,670 | 150 |
| South Carolina | $66,990 | 840 |
| Kansas | $64,080 | 170 |
| Georgia | $63,790 | 2,040 |
| District of Columbia | $63,630 | 1,740 |
| Kentucky | $62,800 | 1,100 |
| Maryland | $61,830 | 710 |
| Massachusetts | $60,110 | N/A |
| New York | $60,110 | 2,990 |
| Arizona | $59,130 | 670 |
| North Carolina | $58,410 | 3,470 |
| Oregon | $57,800 | 170 |
| Oklahoma | $56,790 | 120 |
| New Jersey | $56,350 | 320 |
| Florida | $55,980 | 1,090 |
| Texas | $55,430 | 1,430 |
| Pennsylvania | $54,940 | 1,270 |
| Illinois | $54,720 | 230 |
| Louisiana | $52,770 | 200 |
| New Hampshire | $52,650 | 120 |
| West Virginia | $52,630 | 440 |
| Nebraska | $51,860 | 250 |
| Michigan | $51,800 | 670 |
| Missouri | $51,520 | N/A |
| Idaho | $51,500 | 200 |
| Virginia | $50,160 | 510 |
| Indiana | $50,130 | 200 |
| Connecticut | $49,990 | 50 |
| Washington | $49,890 | 500 |
| California | $48,720 | 5,610 |
| Rhode Island | $48,710 | 200 |
| Colorado | $48,390 | 140 |
| Maine | $47,910 | 120 |
| Wisconsin | $47,380 | 100 |
| Montana | $46,810 | 70 |
| Minnesota | $46,630 | 60 |
| Vermont | $44,940 | 40 |
| New Mexico | $44,390 | 110 |
| Tennessee | $37,860 | 110 |
| Iowa | $31,150 | 150 |
State median wages for social science research assistants (SOC 19-4061), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS state files, May 2024. States where the BLS does not publish a median are not shown.
Job outlook for social science research assistants
The BLS projects employment of social science research assistants to grow 5% from 2025 to 2035. That is about as fast as the 3.5% average for all occupations. That works out to roughly 38,400 jobs in 2025 moving toward 40,400 by 2035.
Across the decade, the BLS expects about 4,900 openings a year for social science research assistants. Most come from the need to replace workers who move to other jobs or leave the workforce, on top of any new positions from growth.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program, 2025-35 (Table 1.2, Occupational projections and worker characteristics).
How to become a social science research assistant
The typical entry-level education for social science research assistants is a bachelor's degree, according to the BLS.
Education, training, and experience data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program.
What affects how much a social science research assistant earns
Degree level, employer type, and field of research drive the numbers. Roles in private industry and government labs often pay above academic and entry-level positions.
Location is one of the clearest factors. The gap between the top paying state (Ohio, $70,670) and the lowest (Iowa, $31,150) shows how much geography alone can move the number, before experience or specialization.
About 32,940 people work as social science research assistants in the United States. At $58,040 a year, the job pays above the $49,500 median for all U.S. jobs.
Social science research assistant salary FAQ
How much does a social science research assistant make an hour?
The median hourly wage for a social science research assistant is $27.90. The middle half of social science research assistants earn between $22.21 and $35.13 per hour.
What is the highest social science research assistant salary?
The highest paid 10 percent of social science research assistants earn more than $100,620 per year. Top earners usually have the most experience and work in the best paying regions and industries.
How much does a social science research assistant make a year?
The median annual salary for a social science research assistant is $58,040. The average (mean) wage of $63,560 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
Is being a social science research assistant a well paid job?
At $58,040 a year, a social science research assistant earns above the $49,500 median for all U.S. jobs. About 32,940 people work as social science research assistants in the United States.
Which state pays social science research assistants the most?
Ohio has the highest median salary for social science research assistants at $70,670 a year. South Carolina ($66,990) and Kansas ($64,080) follow. State medians come from the BLS OEWS state files, May 2024.
Is being a social science research assistant a good career?
Employment of social science research assistants is projected to grow 5% from 2025 to 2035, about as fast as the 3.5% average for all occupations. The BLS projects about 4,900 openings each year, from growth and from workers leaving the occupation.
Do you need a degree to become a social science research assistant?
The BLS lists the typical entry-level education for social science research assistants as a bachelor's degree, so a college degree is usually expected.
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