Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, aged to 2026 using compounded market movement. State selections show BLS state-level figures where published. Actual pay varies with experience, industry, and organization size.
Base salary plus target annual bonus. Target bonus opportunity scales with role level, so a higher base carries a higher target percentage.
Base salary
$68,500
National baseline
Target bonus
$7,000
10.3% of base
Total target cash
$75,500
Base plus target bonus
Bonus percentiles:25th$4,00050th$7,00075th$11,500
Long-term incentive is not shown for this role. Equity awards are only disclosed publicly for the named executive officers of public companies, so no market figure exists for most jobs. See executive pay disclosures.
Typical experience: 0 to 3 years at the Analyst / Associate level, per widely used corporate career-level norms (Radford, Mercer, and SHRM career-level frameworks). Actual expectations vary by function, industry, and company size.
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.
Top skills:Reading ComprehensionWritingCritical ThinkingActive ListeningSpeakingComplex Problem Solving
Includes information from O*NET OnLine by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (CC BY 4.0).
Social Science Research Assistant pay by experience level
Entry level$39,500
Typical starting pay (about the 10th percentile)
Early career$50,500
A few years in (about the 25th percentile)
Experienced$64,000
Mid-career median pay
Senior$80,500
Seasoned professionals (about the 75th percentile)
Top earners$105,500
Highest earners (about the 90th percentile)
Experience tiers are derived from the BLS wage percentile distribution for this occupation, aged to 2026. Actual pay varies by employer, location, and specialization.
Job outlook
+4.4%
projected change in jobs, 2024–2034
5,200
projected openings per year
Growing about as fast as average
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program (2024–2034). Openings include growth and replacement needs.
Social Science Research Assistant salary by industry
Educational Services
14,160 workers
$65,000
Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools
13,920 workers
$64,500
Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services
10,930 workers
$75,000
Educational Services, State Government Owned
10,190 workers
$64,500
Scientific Research and Development Services
9,260 workers
$74,500
Educational Services, Privately Owned
3,830 workers
$65,500
Hospitals
1,780 workers
$65,500
General Medical and Surgical Hospitals
1,760 workers
$65,500
Hospitals, Privately Owned
1,740 workers
$65,500
Religious, Grantmaking, Civic, Professional, and Similar Organizations
1,280 workers
$69,000
National sector-level figures, BLS OEWS May 2025, aged to 2026.
Typical duties and FLSA status
Core duties
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.
FLSA classification (typical)
Varies (typically Exempt if salaried) · Depends on duties and pay basis
Entry-level roles paid on a salary basis above the threshold typically qualify for the Professional or Administrative exemption. Roles paid hourly are Non-exempt regardless of duties. Actual classification depends on the specific job duties, salary basis, and any applicable state or local rules. The current federal salary threshold for exemption is $684 per week ($35,568 per year), per the 2020 Department of Labor rule; the 2024 rule that would have raised the threshold was struck down by federal court in November 2024.
How this role compares
Social Science Research Assistant pays 32% below the average across 66 roles in the Life, Physical, and Social Science job family (family average $100,500).
Similar-paying roles in Life, Physical, and Social Science
Need Social Science Research Assistant pay benchmarked for your organization, or defensible compensation analysis for a dispute or valuation? Grahall builds it from primary sources, backed by an expert who testifies.
