Economist
Median wage · national
$124,720
Range: $89K – $175K
Employed
18K
Openings/yr
900
Typically: master's degree
Social Science Research Assistants
Social Science Research Assistants earn $61,990 nationally at the median. The middle 50% of workers fall between $48,620 and $77,760. Where you land depends on specialization, employer, and experience.
About 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.
- Median Wage
- $61,990
- Employed Nationally
- 31K
- Openings / Year
- 5,200
- Entry Education
- Bachelor's degree
- Job Zone
- Zone 4: Considerable Preparation
Also known as:
Bilingual Research Interviewer
Clinical Research Assistant
Data Analyst
Economic Research Assistant
Economist Research Assistant
How Much Do Social Science Research Assistants Make?
Social Science Research Assistants earn $61,990 nationally, near the national median for college graduates. The middle 50% of earners fall between $48,620 and $77,760. Actual pay varies by employer, specialization, and location.
$61,990
National Median (Annual)
Near the national median for college graduates.
$49K–$78K
Middle 50% Range
25th to 75th percentile. Most workers earn within this band.
Earnings Range
$48,620
Entry-level
$61,990
Median
$77,760
Experienced
What Do Social Science Research Assistants Do?
O*NET data identifies 5 core activities and 5 measurable skills for Social Science Research Assistants roles. Use this section to judge whether the day-to-day reality aligns with what you actually want to spend time doing.
What You'll Do
- 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.
Core Skills Employers Look For
Reading Comprehension
Writing
Critical Thinking
Active Listening
Complex Problem Solving
Who Thrives Here
I
Investigative
This career demands analytical thinking: researching problems, interpreting data, and applying logical reasoning to find practical solutions.
C
Conventional
Success depends on precision and structured processes, where detail-oriented people who work consistently within established systems perform best.
S
Social
Working closely with people, teaching, advising, or helping others navigate challenges is a defining feature of this career's daily work.
Where Do Social Science Research Assistants Work?
What the physical and mental conditions of this job actually look like day to day, based on O*NET Work Context data collected from people working in this occupation.
Work Setting
Mixed
Split between indoor and outdoor or field settings.
Physical Demands
Light
Mix of sitting and movement throughout the day.
Stress Level
Low
Low time pressure. Work pace is typically steady and self-directed.
What Is the Job Outlook for Social Science Research Assistants?
The BLS projects +4.4% employment change for Social Science Research Assistants through 2034, roughly in line with the national average of +5%. About 5,200 openings per year keep the field accessible to new entrants.
↗ +4.4%
10-Year Growth (2024–2034)
About as fast as average.
5,200
Annual Openings
New positions plus replacements for retirees and career-changers.
31K
Currently Employed
Total US employment as of BLS May 2024.
Source: BLS Employment Projections 2024–2034 and Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics May 2024.
Where the Jobs Are
The five states below employ the most Social Science Research Assistants professionals nationwide. State-level wages can differ significantly from the $61,990 national median. Research your specific market before committing to a program.
| # | State | Jobs | Median Wage | vs. National |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | California | 5,610 | $48,720 | -21.4% |
| 2 | North Carolina | 3,470 | $58,410 | -5.8% |
| 3 | New York | 2,990 | $60,110 | -3.0% |
| 4 | Georgia | 2,040 | $63,790 | +2.9% |
| 5 | District of Columbia | 1,740 | $63,630 | +2.6% |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2024. Employment figures rounded. Read our methodology →
How to Get Here
Most Social Science Research Assistants positions require a bachelor's degree to qualify. The 10 programs below are the most common academic pathways into this field, ranked by how many graduates they produce each year.
Typical Entry Education
Bachelor's degree
Job Zone
Zone 4: Considerable Preparation
These positions typically require a bachelor's degree and several years of related experience before advancing into senior roles.
Degree Programs That Lead Here
| # | Program | Graduates/yr | 4yr Median | Colleges |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Psychology | 144,496 | $50,706 | 1,652 |
| 2 | Political Science | 46,438 | $63,293 | 1,302 |
| 3 | Economics | 46,225 | $82,686 | 928 |
| 4 | Sociology | 33,194 | $52,657 | 1,159 |
| 5 | Experimental Psychology | 22,179 | $55,695 | 311 |
| 6 | Social Sciences | 17,458 | $53,366 | 529 |
| 7 | Public Policy | 6,740 | $73,721 | 246 |
| 8 | Behavioral Sciences | 4,777 | $48,673 | 132 |
| 9 | Environmental/Natural Resources Management and Policy | 3,147 | $56,185 | 185 |
| 10 | History and Political Science | 68 | — | 18 |
Top Colleges for Aspiring Social Science Research Assistants
Colleges offering the degree programs that lead to this career, ranked by UCD Score. A strong program plus solid outcomes is a good place to begin your search.
| # | College | UCD Score | Net Price | Salary 10yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | United States Naval Academy Annapolis, MD | 97 | — | — |
| 2 | United States Coast Guard Academy New London, CT | 96 | — | — |
| 3 | United States Air Force Academy USAF Academy, CO | 96 | — | — |
| 4 | United States Military Academy West Point, NY | 96 | — | — |
| 5 | Princeton University Princeton, NJ | 94 | $6,128 | $110,066 |
| 6 | CUNY Bernard M Baruch College New York, NY | 93 | $3,033 | $75,971 |
Plan Your Path
Once you've sized up Social Science Research Assistants, these tools turn the numbers into a plan. Estimate the real cost of a degree that leads here, weigh the long-term payoff, compare specific colleges side-by-side, and find programs that match your profile.
College ROI Calculator
See if the degree that leads to Social Science Research Assistants pays off. Weighs each college's cost against the earnings graduates see.
College Cost Calculator
Enter a budget and see the colleges whose net price fits, with the out-of-pocket cost and likely loan load for each.
Compare Colleges
Put any 2–4 colleges side-by-side. Admissions, cost, outcomes, and earnings, all on one screen, no tab-hopping.
College Match Quiz
Answer six quick questions and see your best-fit colleges ranked by budget, field of study, and what matters most to you.
Social Science Research Assistants Pros & Cons
The data on Social Science Research Assistants shows 2 measurable strengths and 1 real trade-offs. All points are drawn from BLS wage data, employment projections, and IPEDS program completions.
PROS
- Competitive salary $61,990 median wage puts this career near or above the national average for bachelor's degree holders.
- Steady job outlook The BLS projects +4.4% growth through 2034, keeping pace with the national average. Demand is stable and annual openings remain consistent.
CONS
- Multi-year ramp before career-level pay This is a Job Zone 4 occupation, these positions typically require a bachelor's degree and several years of related experience before advancing into senior roles. Most workers in this field spend their first several years at entry-level pay well below the $61,990 median while building the experience employers require.
Social Science Research Assistants Frequently Asked Questions
How much do Social Science Research Assistants professionals earn?
The national median annual wage for Social Science Research Assistants is $61,990, near the national median for full-time workers. The middle 50% of earners fall between $48,620 and $77,760. Pay varies by employer size, industry sector, specialization, and geography. National figures are a starting point, not a guarantee.
Is Social Science Research Assistants a good career?
For people genuinely interested in the work, yes. At $61,990 median, with +4.4% projected growth through 2034, there is a real financial case and a stable market for new entrants. Compare program net price against local salary outcomes (not just the national median) before committing.
How long does it take to become a Social Science Research Assistants?
Expect 4 years of undergraduate education followed by 2 or more years of field experience before most employers consider you qualified for career-level positions. A bachelor's degree is the typical minimum credential. Degree programs like Psychology are typical entry paths. Early-career pay during this ramp-up period will be meaningfully below the $61,990 national median. Factor that gap into any program ROI calculation.
What is the job outlook for Social Science Research Assistants?
The BLS projects +4.4% employment change for Social Science Research Assistants through 2034, about as fast as average compared to all occupations. About 5,200 job openings per year are projected, including new positions and replacements for workers who retire or change careers. 31K people currently work in this occupation nationwide (BLS May 2024).
What skills do Social Science Research Assistants professionals need?
O*NET data identifies the core skills employers consistently prioritize for Social Science Research Assistants roles: Reading Comprehension, Writing, Critical Thinking, Active Listening, and Complex Problem Solving. These develop through formal education and hands-on work. Programs with internship or co-op requirements give you a meaningful head start on the ones that take time to build.
Related Findings
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- Median wage
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Does a Master's Degree Pay Off? Barely, on Average
Group every career by the degree it requires and master's-level jobs pay a median of about $91,000, statistically tied with bachelor's-level work. The premium hides in a few fields.
- Master's degree
- Bachelor's degree
- Median wage
- Graduate school
- Career outcomes
-
Growing and Paying $80K Plus: The Careers That Do Both
Only 95 of 385 federal careers both pay a median above $80,000 and grow faster than the typical job. Here is the rare set that clears both bars.
- Career growth
- Median wage
- High-paying careers
- Job outlook
- Career change
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