Last updated: 2025 BLS data · Page refreshed:
How does Social Science Research Assistants salary grow from entry-level to senior in Illinois? State salary progression based on 2025 BLS data.
211% career growth potentialData: BLS OEWS 2025 • Illinois salary data • Updated 2026-05-19
The salary range for Social Science Research Assistants in Illinois spans from $37,460 at entry-level to $116,530 at senior level — a difference of $79,070 per year.
Senior Social Science Research Assistantss in Illinois earn $79,070 more per year than entry-level professionals.
Complete percentile breakdown showing how Social Science Research Assistants salary increases with experience in Illinois, from entry-level (10th percentile) to senior (90th percentile).
| Experience Level | Percentile | Annual Salary | Monthly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Entry-Level | P10 | $37,460 | $3,122 | $18.01 |
| Early Career | P25 | $47,720 | $3,977 | $22.94 |
| Mid-Career | Median | $64,890 | $5,408 | $31.20 |
| Experienced | P75 | $74,700 | $6,225 | $35.91 |
| Senior / Expert | P90 | $116,530 | $9,711 | $56.02 |
Social Science Research Assistants in Illinois offers exceptional career salary growth. Professionals who advance from entry-level to senior can expect their salary to more than triple — from $37,460 to $116,530. This 211% growth potential makes it one of the highest-growth occupations in terms of pay progression in the state. Investing in skills development and certifications can accelerate this trajectory.
Where does Illinois rank for Social Science Research Assistants senior-level salaries? Compare Illinois's P90 pay to other top-paying states.
Entry-level Social Science Research Assistantss (10th percentile) earn approximately $37,460 per year, or $3,121 per month. Early-career professionals (25th percentile) earn around $47,720. Based on 2025 BLS OEWS data across all U.S. states.
Senior Social Science Research Assistantss (90th percentile) earn approximately $116,530 per year. Experienced professionals (75th percentile) earn around $74,700. This represents a career premium of 211% over entry-level pay.
The career salary growth potential for Social Science Research Assistantss is 211%. Entry-level professionals start at $37,460, while senior-level can earn up to $116,530 — a difference of $79,070 per year.
The highest-paying state for senior Social Science Research Assistantss is Illinois, where 90th-percentile salaries reach $116,530 per year. See the full state-by-state comparison above.
We use BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) 2025 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.
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Salary percentile data for Illinois from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025. P10 approximates entry-level compensation; P90 approximates senior/expert-level compensation. State averages differ from national averages due to regional variations in cost of living, demand, and workforce composition. Actual salaries vary based on employer, experience, education, certifications, and specific location within Illinois.
Our Methodology · Data Sources · Source: BLS OEWS