Social Science Research Assistants: Entry-Level vs Senior Salary (2024)

How does Social Science Research Assistants salary grow from entry-level to senior? National salary progression based on 42 states with BLS data.

119% career growth potential

Data: BLS OEWS 2024 • National averages across 42 states • Updated 2026-04-06

Entry-Level (P10)
$37,760
$3,147/mo
Mid-Career (Median)
$53,351
$4,446/mo
Senior (P90)
$82,739
$6,895/mo

Salary Progression: Entry-Level to Senior

The salary range for Social Science Research Assistants spans from $37,760 at entry-level to $82,739 at senior level — a difference of $44,979 per year.

P10
$37K
P25
$43K
Median
$53K
P75
$64K
P90
$82K

Career Growth Premium: +119%

Senior Social Science Research Assistantss earn $44,979 more per year than entry-level professionals.

Annual Difference
+$44,979
Monthly Difference
+$3,748
Hourly Difference
+$21.62
Growth Multiple
2.2x

Detailed Salary Breakdown by Experience Level

Complete percentile breakdown showing how Social Science Research Assistants salary increases with experience, from entry-level (10th percentile) to senior (90th percentile).

Experience Level Percentile Annual Salary Monthly Hourly
Entry-Level P10 $37,760 $3,147 $18.15
Early Career P25 $43,380 $3,615 $20.86
Mid-Career Median $53,351 $4,446 $25.65
Experienced P75 $64,448 $5,371 $30.98
Senior / Expert P90 $82,739 $6,895 $39.78
Key Insight

Social Science Research Assistants has a moderate salary progression with a 119% growth from entry-level ($37,760) to senior ($82,739). While the growth potential is steady, professionals looking to maximize earnings may benefit from specialization, advanced certifications, or moving to higher-paying states. The gap between median ($53,351) and P90 ($82,739) shows there is still room for meaningful growth beyond mid-career.

Top States for Senior Social Science Research Assistants Pay

Which states pay the highest senior-level salaries for Social Science Research Assistants? Top 10 states ranked by 90th percentile (senior) pay.

1
$130,380
Entry: $38K
+241%
2
$125,230
Entry: $37K
+231%
3
$124,270
Entry: $46K
+169%
4
$120,740
Entry: $41K
+188%
5
$108,830
Entry: $37K
+189%
6
$103,460
Entry: $32K
+214%
7
$102,840
Entry: $34K
+201%
8
$98,620
Entry: $42K
+133%
9
$96,250
Entry: $37K
+159%
10
$92,120
Entry: $46K
+99%

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the entry-level salary for a Social Science Research Assistants?

Entry-level Social Science Research Assistantss (10th percentile) earn approximately $37,760 per year, or $3,146 per month. Early-career professionals (25th percentile) earn around $43,380. Based on 2024 BLS OEWS data across all U.S. states.

How much does a senior Social Science Research Assistants make?

Senior Social Science Research Assistantss (90th percentile) earn approximately $82,739 per year. Experienced professionals (75th percentile) earn around $64,448. This represents a career premium of 119% over entry-level pay.

What is the salary growth potential for a Social Science Research Assistants?

The career salary growth potential for Social Science Research Assistantss is 119%. Entry-level professionals start at $37,760, while senior-level can earn up to $82,739 — a difference of $44,979 per year.

Which state pays the highest salary for senior Social Science Research Assistantss?

The highest-paying state for senior Social Science Research Assistantss is Georgia, where 90th-percentile salaries reach $130,380 per year. See the full state-by-state comparison above.

How are entry-level and senior Social Science Research Assistants salaries determined?

We use BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) 2024 data. The 10th percentile (P10) approximates entry-level pay — the salary that 90% of workers earn more than. The 90th percentile (P90) approximates senior/expert-level pay — only 10% of workers earn above this threshold. National averages are computed across all reporting U.S. states.

Related Salary Pages

About This Data

Salary percentile data is sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2024. National averages are computed across 42 states and the District of Columbia. P10 approximates entry-level compensation; P90 approximates senior/expert-level compensation. Actual salaries vary based on location, employer, experience, education, and certifications.

Our Methodology · Data Sources · Source: BLS OEWS

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