Social Science Research Assistant Salary
Social Science Research Assistants earn a median $61,990 a year nationally. Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations
What social science research assistants do
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)
- Openings per year
- 4,900
- Self-employed
- 8%
Employment of social science research assistants is projected to grow 5.0% from 2025 to 2035, faster than the 3.5% average for all occupations. About 4,900 openings are expected each year, on average, including jobs left by workers who retire or switch careers.
Source: BLS Standard Occupational Classification and Employment Projections, 2025–35.
Social Science Research Assistant take-home pay calculator
Starts at the national median. Pick your state to see your real paycheck.
- Federal income tax$5,259
- Social Security (6.2%)$3,843
- Medicare (1.45%)$899
- Texas income tax$0
- Take-home pay$51,989
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 0.00% state
Pay by experience
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home (no state tax) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $38,090 | $18.31 | $32,785 |
| 25th percentile | $48,620 | $23.38 | $41,246 |
| Median (50th) | $61,990 | $29.80 | $51,989 |
| 75th percentile | $77,760 | $37.38 | $63,534 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $102,070 | $49.07 | $80,636 |
Best cities for social science research assistants (after tax & cost of living)
| # | Metro area | Median | Take-home | Real value* | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | New York, NY | $65,330 | $51,742 | $45,967 | 2,610 |
*Take-home pay in U.S.-average dollars (BEA Regional Price Parities).
Highest-paying cities
- New York, NY — $65,330
Social Science Research Assistant salary by state
| State | Median | 1-yr change | Take-home | Range | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oklahoma | $69,090 | +21.7% | $54,871 | $40,140 – $115,660 | 100 |
| Delaware | $68,230 | — | $53,668 | $40,400 – $96,770 | 40 |
| Kansas | $67,740 | +5.7% | $53,505 | $43,140 – $67,740 | 170 |
| Georgia | $66,620 | +4.4% | $52,862 | $40,650 – $136,810 | 1,840 |
| Kentucky | $66,390 | +5.7% | $53,318 | $45,050 – $106,590 | 1,190 |
| Missouri | $65,940 | +28.0% | $53,001 | $39,250 – $79,860 | 750 |
| New Hampshire | $65,690 | +24.8% | $54,962 | $37,350 – $93,030 | 70 |
| Maryland | $65,550 | +6.0% | $52,099 | $47,260 – $113,020 | 700 |
| District of Columbia | $65,330 | +2.7% | $51,873 | $50,810 – $112,030 | 1,560 |
| Illinois | $64,890 | +18.6% | $51,252 | $37,460 – $116,530 | 250 |
| South Carolina | $64,490 | −3.7% | $51,285 | $48,200 – $130,300 | 500 |
| North Carolina | $63,710 | +9.1% | $51,338 | $49,980 – $81,650 | 2,930 |
| Massachusetts | $63,480 | +5.6% | $50,232 | $49,500 – $82,130 | — |
| New Jersey | $62,760 | +11.4% | $50,688 | $37,960 – $105,390 | 370 |
| Idaho | $62,570 | +21.5% | $50,247 | $48,770 – $80,800 | — |
| Alaska | $62,230 | — | $52,182 | $37,450 – $115,440 | 40 |
| Arizona | $61,680 | +4.3% | $50,407 | $47,130 – $82,470 | 1,020 |
| New York | $61,210 | +1.8% | $48,654 | $35,520 – $103,080 | 3,040 |
| California | $60,250 | +23.7% | $48,143 | $38,060 – $117,070 | 5,300 |
| Michigan | $60,210 | +16.2% | $48,251 | $41,970 – $82,870 | 750 |
| Connecticut | $60,110 | +20.2% | $48,698 | $35,860 – $88,270 | 50 |
| Texas | $58,070 | +4.8% | $48,839 | $38,120 – $108,730 | 1,180 |
| Indiana | $57,020 | +13.7% | $46,343 | $30,580 – $105,750 | 210 |
| Oregon | $56,770 | −1.8% | $43,657 | $48,150 – $85,110 | 220 |
| Nebraska | $56,190 | +8.3% | $45,652 | $37,830 – $78,880 | 230 |
| Pennsylvania | $54,610 | −0.6% | $44,383 | $44,710 – $81,640 | 860 |
| Virginia | $53,260 | +6.2% | $42,726 | $42,550 – $83,760 | 700 |
| Alabama | $53,080 | — | $42,441 | $52,430 – $57,160 | — |
| Louisiana | $52,600 | −0.3% | $43,252 | $43,890 – $64,290 | 340 |
| Rhode Island | $51,420 | +5.6% | $42,185 | $41,990 – $99,720 | 220 |
| West Virginia | $51,140 | −2.8% | $41,700 | $30,330 – $145,770 | 550 |
| Florida | $50,700 | −9.4% | $42,917 | $33,190 – $81,520 | 1,130 |
| Maine | $50,650 | +5.7% | $40,640 | $41,870 – $66,990 | 120 |
| New Mexico | $50,640 | +14.1% | $41,655 | $40,250 – $102,950 | 50 |
| Colorado | $50,430 | +4.2% | $41,190 | $42,590 – $63,610 | 100 |
| Washington | $50,420 | +1.1% | $42,692 | $45,530 – $75,720 | 450 |
| Ohio | $50,330 | −28.8% | $42,018 | $23,770 – $104,420 | 240 |
| Montana | $49,860 | +6.5% | $40,656 | $29,680 – $69,570 | 30 |
| Wisconsin | $48,090 | +1.5% | $39,485 | $34,710 – $71,050 | 110 |
| Vermont | $47,510 | +5.7% | $39,197 | $47,510 – $76,650 | 40 |
| Tennessee | $46,410 | +22.6% | $39,470 | $33,120 – $58,500 | 140 |
| Minnesota | $44,920 | −3.7% | $36,689 | $38,080 – $68,070 | 300 |
| South Dakota | $44,820 | — | $38,193 | $28,260 – $50,670 | 40 |
| Iowa | $40,940 | +31.4% | $34,171 | $22,260 – $58,470 | 140 |
| Nevada | $26,560 | — | $23,482 | $24,960 – $47,830 | — |
Related jobs
| Job | Median salary | Education | Growth 2025–35 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other | $62,280 | Associate's degree | +4.4% |
| Chemical Technician | $60,390 | Associate's degree | +4.9% |
| Hydrologic Technician | $64,790 | Associate's degree | -1.3% |
| Biological Technician | $57,510 | Bachelor's degree | +7.4% |
| Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health | $55,090 | Associate's degree | +6.9% |
| Forest and Conservation Technician | $54,560 | Associate's degree | -2.1% |
| Geological Technicians, Except Hydrologic Technicians | $53,350 | Associate's degree | +3.6% |
| Food Science Technician | $52,130 | Associate's degree | +4.8% |
| Forensic Science Technician | $72,060 | Bachelor's degree | +13.3% |
| Agricultural Technician | $49,630 | Associate's degree | +5.4% |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a social science research assistant make?
The national median salary for social science research assistants is $61,990 a year ($29.80 an hour). The lowest-paid 10% earn under $38,090 and the top 10% earn over $102,070. Source: BLS, May 2025.
Which state pays social science research assistants the most?
Oklahoma has the highest median pay at $69,090. After taxes and local prices, New York, NY offers the best real take-home pay of any metro area.
How many social science research assistants are there in the U.S.?
About 30,640 people work as social science research assistants nationwide.