Social Science Research Assistants Career, Salary and Skills
Social Science Research Assistants have a BLS-reported national median annual wage of $61,990 based on the 2025 OEWS dataset, with reported national employment of 30,640. Wage data is published for 117 locations.
Occupation description
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
Typical education
Bachelor's Degree
Experience
Over 1 year, up to and including 2 years
National salary and employment
Median annual
$61,990
Hourly median
$29.81
Employment
30,640
Data year
2025
National salary distribution
Top skills
| Skill | Importance | Level |
|---|---|---|
| Reading Comprehension | 4.00 | 4.75 |
| Writing | 3.75 | 3.88 |
| Critical Thinking | 3.75 | 3.88 |
| Active Listening | 3.75 | 4.12 |
| Complex Problem Solving | 3.38 | 3.12 |
| Speaking | 3.38 | 3.75 |
| Science | 3.25 | 3.38 |
| Mathematics | 3.12 | 3.88 |
| Active Learning | 3.12 | 3.62 |
| Judgment and Decision Making | 3.12 | 3.12 |
Typical tasks
- 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.
- Design and create special programs for tasks such as statistical analysis and data entry and cleaning.
Technology
- Adobe Illustrator
- Adobe InDesign
- Appletree
- C++
- Database software
- ESRI ArcGIS software
- Extensible markup language XML
- Graphics software
- IBM SPSS Statistics
- JavaScript
- Microsoft Access
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Office software
- Microsoft Outlook
Social Science Research Assistants salary by location
Areas with the highest reported employment for this occupation.
- Social Science Research Assistants Salary in CAMedian $60,250 · Employment 5,300
- Social Science Research Assistants Salary in NYMedian $61,210 · Employment 3,040
- Social Science Research Assistants Salary in NCMedian $63,710 · Employment 2,930
- Social Science Research Assistants Salary in New York, NYMedian $65,330 · Employment 2,610
- Social Science Research Assistants Salary in Los Angeles, CAMedian $59,240 · Employment 2,290
- Social Science Research Assistants Salary in Washington, DCMedian $65,330 · Employment 2,170
- Social Science Research Assistants Salary in GAMedian $66,620 · Employment 1,840
- Social Science Research Assistants Salary in DCMedian $65,330 · Employment 1,560
- Social Science Research Assistants Salary in KYMedian $66,390 · Employment 1,190
- Social Science Research Assistants Salary in TXMedian $58,070 · Employment 1,180
- Social Science Research Assistants Salary in FLMedian $50,700 · Employment 1,130
- Social Science Research Assistants Salary in AZMedian $61,680 · Employment 1,020
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- Executive Secretaries and Executive Administrative AssistantsNational median $76,590
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- Instructional CoordinatorsNational median $77,440
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- SociologistsNational median $106,030
Career and skills data: O*NET 31.0 (onetcenter.org). Salary and employment data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS, 2025 (bls.gov/oes). Figures are published survey estimates, not real-time market data.