Social Science Research Assistants build complex problem solving, judgment and decision making and systems analysis skills that carry over to other work. Below are 25 careers ranked by how closely their skills match, with pay from BLS May 2025. The closest match is Clinical Data Managers (92%).
Updated October 2026 · Data: O*NET 31.0 and BLS OEWS May 2025 · How we match careers
Sorted by skill match.
| # | Career | Skill match | Median pay | Pay change | Extra education |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Clinical Data Managers | 92% | $120,230Pay for the broader BLS group “Data Scientists” | Not compared | None |
| 2 | Survey Researchers | 87% | $69,460 | +12% | Graduate degree |
| 3 | Data Scientists | 86% | $120,230 | +94% | None |
| 4 | Statisticians | 86% | $105,650 | +70% | Graduate degree |
| 5 | Bioinformatics Technicians | 84% | $81,490Pay for the broader BLS group “Mathematical Science Occupations, All Other” | Not compared | None |
| 6 | Clinical Research Coordinators | 84% | $167,220Pay for the broader BLS group “Natural Sciences Managers” | Not compared | None |
| 7 | Statistical Assistants | 83% | $50,330 | −19% | None |
| 8 | Health Informatics Specialists | 81% | $105,850Pay for the broader BLS group “Computer Systems Analysts” | Not compared | Graduate degree |
| 9 | Biostatisticians | 81% | $105,650Pay for the broader BLS group “Statisticians” | Not compared | Graduate degree |
| 10 | Business Intelligence Analysts | 79% | $120,230Pay for the broader BLS group “Data Scientists” | Not compared | None |
Compared with Social Science Research Assistants, median $61,990. Skill match is our estimate (0–99) from O*NET 31.0 skills, knowledge, work activities and interests, adjusted for preparation and big pay drops. Pay: BLS OEWS May 2025, national median.
How important each skill is in work as social science research assistants (O*NET importance, scale 1–5).
The gaps that show up most often across your top 10 matches.
Free and low-cost training: use the CareerOneStop training finder below.
A concrete first step, the skills to add, and the hard parts of each job, from O*NET 31.0 education, training and work context data.
92% skill match · $120,230 (broader BLS group)
Operations Analysis · Programming · Management of Personnel Resources
87% skill match · $69,460 · +12% pay
Service Orientation · Judgment and Decision Making · Management of Personnel Resources
86% skill match · $120,230 · +94% pay
Programming · Complex Problem Solving · Judgment and Decision Making
If you want to stay close to what you do now, these roles are the nearest.
The closest matches are Clinical Data Managers (92% skill match, median $120,230), Survey Researchers (87% skill match, median $69,460) and Data Scientists (86% skill match, median $120,230), based on O*NET 31.0 data and BLS May 2025 pay.
Among the 25 matches, 11 pay more than social science research assistants at the median. The biggest increases: Actuaries (+110%, $130,000), Information Security Analysts (+108%, $129,180) and Data Scientists (+94%, $120,230).
21 of the 25 matches usually need no more education than you have now, based on O*NET Job Zones. 4 usually need a graduate degree: Survey Researchers, Statisticians and Health Informatics Specialists.
We compare the importance of skills, knowledge, work activities and interests in O*NET 31.0 for your job and every other career, then adjust for extra preparation and big pay drops. The full method is on our Methodology page.