Social Science Research Assistants Salary in the United States
As of May 2025, the median annual wage for social science research assistants in the United States was $61,990 ($29.81 per hour), according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OES survey.
Annual Salary Percentiles
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $38,090 | $18.31 |
| 25th | $48,620 | $23.38 |
| Median | $61,990 | $29.81 |
| 75th | $77,760 | $37.38 |
| 90th | $102,070 | $49.07 |
Quick Facts
- Occupational code: 19-4061
- Total U.S. employment: 30,640
- Jobs per 1,000: —
- Hourly salary breakdown
- All-state comparison
What this means
Pay spans a wide range: workers at the 10th percentile earn about $38,090, while those at the 90th percentile earn about $102,070 — a 2.7x gap between entry-level and top earners.
Social Science Research Assistants Salary by State
The table below ranks every state by median annual wage. Click a state for detailed local data.
| State | Median Annual | Median Hourly | vs National | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $53,080 | $25.52 | -14.4% | 0 |
| Alaska | $62,230 | $29.92 | +0.4% | 40 |
| Arizona | $61,680 | $29.65 | -0.5% | 1,020 |
| California | $60,250 | $28.97 | -2.8% | 5,300 |
| Colorado | $50,430 | $24.24 | -18.6% | 100 |
| Connecticut | $60,110 | $28.90 | -3.0% | 50 |
| Delaware | $68,230 | $32.80 | +10.1% | 40 |
| District of Columbia | $65,330 | $31.41 | +5.4% | 1,560 |
| Florida | $50,700 | $24.38 | -18.2% | 1,130 |
| Georgia | $66,620 | $32.03 | +7.5% | 1,840 |
| Idaho | $62,570 | $30.08 | +0.9% | 0 |
| Illinois | $64,890 | $31.20 | +4.7% | 250 |
| Indiana | $57,020 | $27.41 | -8.0% | 210 |
| Iowa | $40,940 | $19.68 | -34.0% | 140 |
| Kansas | $67,740 | $32.57 | +9.3% | 170 |
| Kentucky | $66,390 | $31.92 | +7.1% | 1,190 |
| Louisiana | $52,600 | $25.29 | -15.1% | 340 |
| Maine | $50,650 | $24.35 | -18.3% | 120 |
| Maryland | $65,550 | $31.52 | +5.7% | 700 |
| Massachusetts | $63,480 | $30.52 | +2.4% | 0 |
| Michigan | $60,210 | $28.95 | -2.9% | 750 |
| Minnesota | $44,920 | $21.60 | -27.5% | 300 |
| Missouri | $65,940 | $31.70 | +6.4% | 750 |
| Montana | $49,860 | $23.97 | -19.6% | 30 |
| Nebraska | $56,190 | $27.01 | -9.4% | 230 |
| Nevada | $26,560 | $12.77 | -57.2% | 0 |
| New Hampshire | $65,690 | $31.58 | +6.0% | 70 |
| New Jersey | $62,760 | $30.18 | +1.2% | 370 |
| New Mexico | $50,640 | $24.34 | -18.3% | 50 |
| New York | $61,210 | $29.43 | -1.3% | 3,040 |
| North Carolina | $63,710 | $30.63 | +2.8% | 2,930 |
| Ohio | $50,330 | $24.20 | -18.8% | 240 |
| Oklahoma | $69,090 | $33.22 | +11.5% | 100 |
| Oregon | $56,770 | $27.29 | -8.4% | 220 |
| Pennsylvania | $54,610 | $26.26 | -11.9% | 860 |
| Rhode Island | $51,420 | $24.72 | -17.1% | 220 |
| South Carolina | $64,490 | $31.00 | +4.0% | 500 |
| South Dakota | $44,820 | $21.55 | -27.7% | 40 |
| Tennessee | $46,410 | $22.31 | -25.1% | 140 |
| Texas | $58,070 | $27.92 | -6.3% | 1,180 |
| Utah | — | — | — | 500 |
| Vermont | $47,510 | $22.84 | -23.4% | 40 |
| Virginia | $53,260 | $25.61 | -14.1% | 700 |
| Washington | $50,420 | $24.24 | -18.7% | 450 |
| West Virginia | $51,140 | $24.59 | -17.5% | 550 |
| Wisconsin | $48,090 | $23.12 | -22.4% | 110 |
Data source: BLS OES state file · U.S. BLS OES survey, May 2025
Related Occupations
- Light Truck Drivers — $44,860/yr
- Medical Secretaries and Administrative Assistants — $45,930/yr
- Landscaping and Groundskeeping Workers — $39,150/yr
- Human Resources Specialists — $75,940/yr
- Receptionists and Information Clerks — $38,010/yr
- Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists — $78,760/yr
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average salary for social science research assistants?
The median annual wage for social science research assistants is $61,990 ($29.81 per hour), according to the BLS OES survey for May 2025.
Which state pays social science research assistants the most?
Wages vary by state. Use the state table above to compare median annual pay across all 50 states and Washington, D.C.
How many social science research assistants are employed in the U.S.?
There are approximately 30,640 social science research assistants employed nationally, per BLS OES.
How much do social science research assistants make per hour?
The median hourly wage is $29.81. See the hourly salary page for the full percentile breakdown.