Social Science Research Assistants Salary by State
The national median pay for social science research assistants is $61,990 a year. By state, it ranges from $26,560 in Nevada to $69,090 in Oklahoma.
Updated October 2026 · Data: BLS OEWS May 2025 · How we match careers
U.S. pay range
- Lowest 10%
- $38,090
- 25th percentile
- $48,620
- Median
- $61,990
- 75th percentile
- $77,760
- Top 10%
- $102,070
Annual pay, all U.S. workers in this job. About 30,640 jobs.
Median pay in 44 states and DC
| # | State | Median | vs. U.S. | Lowest 10% | Top 10% | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Oklahoma | $69,090 | +11% | $40,140 | $115,660 | 100 |
| 2 | Delaware | $68,230 | +10% | $40,400 | $96,770 | 40 |
| 3 | Kansas | $67,740 | +9% | $43,140 | $67,740 | 170 |
| 4 | Georgia | $66,620 | +7% | $40,650 | $136,810 | 1,840 |
| 5 | Kentucky | $66,390 | +7% | $45,050 | $106,590 | 1,190 |
| 6 | Missouri | $65,940 | +6% | $39,250 | $79,860 | 750 |
| 7 | New Hampshire | $65,690 | +6% | $37,350 | $93,030 | 70 |
| 8 | Maryland | $65,550 | +6% | $47,260 | $113,020 | 700 |
| 9 | District of Columbia | $65,330 | +5% | $50,810 | $112,030 | 1,560 |
| 10 | Illinois | $64,890 | +5% | $37,460 | $116,530 | 250 |
| 11 | South Carolina | $64,490 | +4% | $48,200 | $130,300 | 500 |
| 12 | North Carolina | $63,710 | +3% | $49,980 | $81,650 | 2,930 |
| 13 | Massachusetts | $63,480 | +2% | $49,500 | $82,130 | Not published |
| 14 | New Jersey | $62,760 | +1% | $37,960 | $105,390 | 370 |
| 15 | Idaho | $62,570 | +1% | $48,770 | $80,800 | Not published |
| 16 | Alaska | $62,230 | 0% | $37,450 | $115,440 | 40 |
| 17 | Arizona | $61,680 | −1% | $47,130 | $82,470 | 1,020 |
| 18 | New York | $61,210 | −1% | $35,520 | $103,080 | 3,040 |
| 19 | California | $60,250 | −3% | $38,060 | $117,070 | 5,300 |
| 20 | Michigan | $60,210 | −3% | $41,970 | $82,870 | 750 |
| 21 | Connecticut | $60,110 | −3% | $35,860 | $88,270 | 50 |
| 22 | Texas | $58,070 | −6% | $38,120 | $108,730 | 1,180 |
| 23 | Indiana | $57,020 | −8% | $30,580 | $105,750 | 210 |
| 24 | Oregon | $56,770 | −8% | $48,150 | $85,110 | 220 |
| 25 | Nebraska | $56,190 | −9% | $37,830 | $78,880 | 230 |
| 26 | Pennsylvania | $54,610 | −12% | $44,710 | $81,640 | 860 |
| 27 | Virginia | $53,260 | −14% | $42,550 | $83,760 | 700 |
| 28 | Alabama | $53,080 | −14% | $52,430 | $57,160 | Not published |
| 29 | Louisiana | $52,600 | −15% | $43,890 | $64,290 | 340 |
| 30 | Rhode Island | $51,420 | −17% | $41,990 | $99,720 | 220 |
| 31 | West Virginia | $51,140 | −18% | $30,330 | $145,770 | 550 |
| 32 | Florida | $50,700 | −18% | $33,190 | $81,520 | 1,130 |
| 33 | Maine | $50,650 | −18% | $41,870 | $66,990 | 120 |
| 34 | New Mexico | $50,640 | −18% | $40,250 | $102,950 | 50 |
| 35 | Colorado | $50,430 | −19% | $42,590 | $63,610 | 100 |
| 36 | Washington | $50,420 | −19% | $45,530 | $75,720 | 450 |
| 37 | Ohio | $50,330 | −19% | $23,770 | $104,420 | 240 |
| 38 | Montana | $49,860 | −20% | $29,680 | $69,570 | 30 |
| 39 | Wisconsin | $48,090 | −22% | $34,710 | $71,050 | 110 |
| 40 | Vermont | $47,510 | −23% | $47,510 | $76,650 | 40 |
| 41 | Tennessee | $46,410 | −25% | $33,120 | $58,500 | 140 |
| 42 | Minnesota | $44,920 | −28% | $38,080 | $68,070 | 300 |
| 43 | South Dakota | $44,820 | −28% | $28,260 | $50,670 | 40 |
| 44 | Iowa | $40,940 | −34% | $22,260 | $58,470 | 140 |
| 45 | Nevada | $26,560 | −57% | $24,960 | $47,830 | Not published |
BLS OEWS May 2025 state estimates. States without published data are not listed. “Not published”: BLS withheld the value or it is above the highest amount BLS publishes. Pay is not adjusted for living costs.
Social Science Research Assistants salary questions
Which state pays social science research assistants the most?
Oklahoma, with a median of $69,090 a year (+11% vs. the national median of $61,990). BLS May 2025.
Which state pays social science research assistants the least?
Nevada, with a median of $26,560 a year (−57% vs. national).
Where do most social science research assistants work?
California has the most jobs, about 5,300, with a median of $60,250.
Does a higher salary mean more money left over?
Not always. These are pay figures only. Living costs, taxes and housing differ a lot between states, and this page does not adjust for them.