Social Science Research Assistant Salary in New York, NY
Social Science Research Assistants in the New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ metro area earn a median $65,330 a year — 5% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $51,742 take-home, or $4,312 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median social science research assistant salary in New York, NY. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$5,660
- Social Security (6.2%)$4,050
- Medicare (1.45%)$947
- New York income tax$2,931
- Take-home pay$51,742
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 5.40% state
Living in New York City? City residents also pay New York City’s city income tax — about $2,097 a year on this salary — which lowers take-home pay to $49,645 ($4,137 a month). Choose “New York City” under City income tax in the calculator. Suburban residents usually don’t pay it.
The New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ metro spans New York, New Jersey. Pick the state you live in — state income tax follows your residence.
Got an offer somewhere else? Compare it with this one after taxes and rent →
Social Science Research Assistant pay by experience in New York, NY
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $39,830 | $19.15 | $32,630 | $2,719 |
| 25th percentile | $50,020 | $24.05 | $40,267 | $3,356 |
| Median (50th) | $65,330 | $31.41 | $51,742 | $4,312 |
| 75th percentile | $82,700 | $39.76 | $63,141 | $5,262 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $107,390 | $51.63 | $79,083 | $6,590 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, New York resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $65,330 buys in New York, NY
Prices in New York, NY are 12.6% higher than the U.S. average (housing costs are 1.49× the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median social science research assistant's $51,742 take-home pay has the buying power of $45,967 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
New York, NY has 1.4× the national concentration of social science research assistant jobs — a strong local market for this occupation.
Best-paying cities for social science research assistants, adjusted for cost of living
New York, NY ranks #1 of 1 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | New York, NY | $65,330 | $51,742 | $45,967 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 1 metros →
About the job: social science research assistants
Assist social scientists in laboratory, survey, and other social science research. May help prepare findings for publication and assist in laboratory analysis, quality control, or data management.
- Typical education
- Bachelor's degree
- Work experience
- None required
- On-the-job training
- None
- Job outlook, 2025–35
- +5.0% (faster than average)
Source: BLS Standard Occupational Classification and Employment Projections, 2025–35.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a social science research assistant make in New York, NY?
The median social science research assistant salary in the New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ metro area is $65,330 a year, or about $31.41 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $50,020 and $82,700.
What is a social science research assistant’s take-home pay in New York, NY?
On the median $65,330 salary, a single filer living in New York takes home about $51,742 a year ($4,312 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $2,931 in New York taxes in 2026.
Is New York, NY a good place to work as a social science research assistant?
Pay here is 5% above the national median of $61,990. Local prices are 12.6% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $45,967 would in a typical U.S. city. New York, NY ranks #1 of 1 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a social science research assistant afford rent in New York, NY?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in New York, NY is $2,378 a month ($2,697 for two bedrooms) — 55% of a median social science research assistant’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in New York, NY
- Clinical and Counseling Psychologist — $120,510
- School Psychologist — $117,540
- Social Scientists and Related Workers, All Other — $107,170
- Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists — $103,360
- Occupational Health and Safety Specialist — $96,320
- Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health — $85,510
- Chemist — $85,150
- Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other — $64,730
- Biological Technician — $62,780
- Chemical Technician — $60,320