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.
Also called: Bilingual Research Interviewer, Clinical Research Assistant, Data Analyst, Economic Research Assistant, Economist Research Assistant, Graduate Assistant
Median pay
$61,990
per year, U.S.
Pay range (10th–90th)
$38,090 – $102,070
People employed
30,640
Holland code
ICS
Investigative · Conventional · Social
Updated October 2026 · Data: O*NET 31.0 and BLS OEWS May 2025 · How we match careers
Is this career right for you?
These are the things that stand out in this job compared with other U.S. jobs (O*NET 31.0 work context). Answer honestly.
- 1.Do you prefer a steady pace without constant deadlines?
- 2.Are you comfortable sitting at a desk most of the day?
- 3.Do you want the same hours every week?
- 4.Are you happy working mostly on your own, with little contact with others?
- 5.Do you want to stay at 40 hours a week or less?
- 6.Do you want a job with little physical risk?
- 7.Do you prefer doing your own work rather than directing others?
- 8.Are you OK repeating the same tasks most of the day?
Social Science Research Assistants pay by state
Annual median pay by state (44 states and DC with published data). Source: BLS OEWS May 2025.
What social science research assistants do
- 01Design and create special programs for tasks such as statistical analysis and data entry and cleaning.
- 02Obtain informed consent of research subjects or their guardians.
- 03Administer standardized tests to research subjects, or interview them to collect research data.
- 04Provide assistance with the preparation of project-related reports, manuscripts, and presentations.
- 05Prepare tables, graphs, fact sheets, and written reports summarizing research results.
- 06Recruit and schedule research participants.
Skills that matter most
- Reading Comprehension
- Active Listening
- Writing
- Critical Thinking
- Speaking
- Science
Knowledge
- English Language
- Computers and Electronics
- Administrative
- Mathematics
- Customer and Personal Service
Work styles that stand out
- Dependability
- Attention to Detail
- Intellectual Curiosity
Education and first steps
Share of workers by required education, as reported to O*NET.
How people get started
- Usually needs a bachelor's degree (O*NET Job Zone 4).
- Related work experience: over 1 year, up to and including 2 years.
- On-the-job training: anything beyond short demonstration, up to and including 1 month.
Most common answers from O*NET 31.0 Education, Training and Experience.
Interest fit (Holland code)
O*NET occupational interest scores, scale 1–7. Take the Free Career Test to compare with your own.
Career changes
Change from social science research assistants
- Clinical Data Managers92% · group pay
- Survey Researchers87% · +12%
- Data Scientists86% · +94%
- Statisticians86% · +70%
- Bioinformatics Technicians84% · group pay
Change into social science research assistants
Jobs whose skills carry over best (skill match, their median pay).
- Clinical Data Managers92% · $120,230
- Statistical Assistants89% · $50,330
- Survey Researchers88% · $69,460
- Bioinformatics Technicians84% · $81,490
- Clinical Research Coordinators84% · $167,220
Majors that lead here
- Environmental/Natural Resource Economics
- Behavioral Sciences
- History and Political Science
- Psychology, General
- Psychometrics and Quantitative Psychology
- Public Policy Analysis, General
- Education Policy Analysis
- Health Policy Analysis
- International Policy Analysis
- Social Sciences, General
- Survey Research/Methodology
- Economics, General
From the NCES CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 crosswalk.