Life, Physical, and Social Science

Social Science Research Assistants

18/100
#398 of 825
$61,990
median pay, U.S.
30,640
employed (2024)
+4.4%
growth, 2024–34
5,200
openings per year
Bachelor's degree
typical entry education

Is social science research assistants a good career?

It scores 18/100 and ranks #398 of 825 occupations on pay, growth, employment and openings. Here's what the federal data says, with no editorializing.

Advantages

  • Pays above the U.S. median wage ($61,990)

Possible tradeoffs

  • Typically requires a bachelor's degree

What social science research assistants earn

Wages: BLS OEWS May 2025

Pay is a range, not a number. Half of U.S. social science research assistants earn between $48,620 and $77,760 a year.

Best-paying states

Oklahoma statewide
$69,090
Delaware statewide
$68,230
Kansas statewide
$67,740
Georgia statewide
$66,620
Kentucky statewide
$66,390
Missouri statewide
$65,940
New Hampshire statewide
$65,690
Maryland statewide
$65,550
$65,330
Illinois statewide
$64,890
$20k $80k $140k

Best-paying metros

01 Flagstaff, AZ $86,020
02 Bowling Green, KY $84,680
04 San Francisco, CA $82,020
05 San Jose, CA $75,010
06 Greenville, SC $74,060
07 Oklahoma City, OK $72,710
08 San Antonio, TX $67,780

Strongest employment concentration

01 California 5,300
02 New York 3,040
03 North Carolina 2,930
04 Georgia 1,840
06 Kentucky 1,190

Live social science research assistants jobs

No live social science research assistants openings yet

When the jobs.best ATS feed launches, verified social science research assistants openings will appear here — each shown against the $61,990 national median. Nothing here is placeholder.

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How to become a social science research assistant

Typical education
Bachelor's degree
Work experience
None
On-the-job training
None

Related occupations

Associate's degree · $62,280 median
Bachelor's degree · $57,510 median
Associate's degree · $60,390 median
Questions about becoming a social science research assistant
How much do social science research assistants make?

The national median wage is $61,990 a year, with the middle half earning between $48,620 and $77,760 (BLS OEWS May 2025).

Is social science research assistants a good career?

On the Jobs.best index it scores 18 of 100 and ranks #398 of 825 occupations, weighing pay, growth, employment and openings. Employment is projected to change +4.4% through 2034.

What education do you need to become a social science research assistant?

The typical entry-level education is bachelor's degree.

Where do social science research assistants earn the most?

Among states, Oklahoma pays the highest median ($69,090). Local pay for every state and metro is below.

U.S. Bureau of Labor StatisticsWages: BLS OEWS May 2025 · Projections: BLS EP 2024–34
Sources: OEWS-M2025 · EP-2024-34. How we score careers →