Careers / Social Science Research Assistants
Social Science Research Assistants — Career Decision Dashboard
United States
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Report generated from official BLS OEWS and O*NET data — United States.
Median annual wage
$61,990
United States, 2025
Employment
30,640
United States, 2025
Typical education
Bachelor's Degree
Job Zone 4
Skills identified
35
10 related careers
Career overview
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.
- O*NET code
- 19-4061.00
- Job zone
- 4
- Experience required
- Over 1 year, up to and including 2 years
Typical tasks
- Design and create special programs for tasks such as statistical analysis and data entry and cleaning.
- Provide assistance with the preparation of project-related reports, manuscripts, and presentations.
- Prepare tables, graphs, fact sheets, and written reports summarizing research results.
- Perform descriptive and multivariate statistical analyses of data, using computer software.
- Verify the accuracy and validity of data entered in databases, correcting any errors.
- Develop and implement research quality control procedures.
- Prepare, manipulate, and manage extensive databases.
- Perform data entry and other clerical work as required for project completion.
Choose a location
Salary analysis — United States
10th percentile
$38,090
25th percentile
$48,620
75th percentile
$77,760
90th percentile
$102,070
Most important skills
- Reading Comprehension4.0
- Critical Thinking3.8
- Writing3.8
- Active Listening3.8
- Complex Problem Solving3.4
- Speaking3.4
- Science3.3
- Active Learning3.1
- Judgment and Decision Making3.1
- Mathematics3.1
- Learning Strategies3.0
- Systems Analysis3.0
What skills do you need?
Select the skills you already have
Skills listed are those O*NET rates at importance 3.0 or above for this occupation. Set your own level on the same 0–7 O*NET scale.
Skill coverage
0%
0 of 12 identified skills
Matched
0
Missing
12
Your selected skills cover approximately 0% of the skills identified for this occupation in O*NET. This is a coverage measure of listed skills only — it is not a qualification, hiring or interview outcome.
Skills to develop
| Skill | Importance | Required level | Your level | Gap |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Reading Comprehension | 4.0 | 4.8 | Not selected | 4.8 |
| Active Listening | 3.8 | 4.1 | Not selected | 4.1 |
| Critical Thinking | 3.8 | 3.9 | Not selected | 3.9 |
| Writing | 3.8 | 3.9 | Not selected | 3.9 |
| Speaking | 3.4 | 3.8 | Not selected | 3.8 |
| Mathematics | 3.1 | 3.9 | Not selected | 3.9 |
| Active Learning | 3.1 | 3.6 | Not selected | 3.6 |
| Science | 3.3 | 3.4 | Not selected | 3.4 |
| Complex Problem Solving | 3.4 | 3.1 | Not selected | 3.1 |
| Judgment and Decision Making | 3.1 | 3.1 | Not selected | 3.1 |
| Learning Strategies | 3.0 | 3.1 | Not selected | 3.1 |
| Systems Analysis | 3.0 | 2.9 | Not selected | 2.9 |
Ordered by required level gap multiplied by O*NET importance. No prediction or recommendation is implied.
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Compare with Social Science Research AssistantsHow salary varies by location
| Location | Median | Employment | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Flagstaff, AZ | $86,020 | 40 | 2025 |
| Bowling Green, KY | $84,680 | 100 | 2025 |
| Louisville/Jefferson County, KY | $82,500 | 570 | 2025 |
| San Francisco, CA | $82,020 | 710 | 2025 |
| San Jose, CA | $75,010 | 330 | 2025 |
| Greenville, SC | $74,060 | 190 | 2025 |
| Oklahoma City, OK | $72,710 | 70 | 2025 |
| OK | $69,090 | 100 | 2025 |
| DE | $68,230 | 40 | 2025 |
| San Antonio, TX | $67,780 | 90 | 2025 |
| KS | $67,740 | 170 | 2025 |
| Atlanta, GA | $67,440 | 990 | 2025 |
| GA | $66,620 | 1,840 | 2025 |
| San Diego, CA | $66,520 | 670 | 2025 |
| KY | $66,390 | 1,190 | 2025 |
| Dallas, TX | $66,200 | 250 | 2025 |
| MO | $65,940 | 750 | 2025 |
| Charlotte, NC | $65,740 | 100 | 2025 |
| NH | $65,690 | 70 | 2025 |
| MD | $65,550 | 700 | 2025 |
Career transition paths
Compare the skills of a career you hold today with Social Science Research Assistants to see shared skills, target-only skills and skill overlap.
Build a transition comparisonCareer and skills data: O*NET 31.0.
Salary and employment data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, 2025 (May 2025 release).
Figures are periodic published survey snapshots, not real-time market rates.