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Social Science Research Assistants: Entry-Level vs Senior Salary in Pennsylvania (2025)

Last updated: 2025 BLS data · Page refreshed:

How does Social Science Research Assistants salary grow from entry-level to senior in Pennsylvania? State salary progression based on 2025 BLS data.

83% career growth potential

Data: BLS OEWS 2025 • Pennsylvania salary data • Updated 2026-05-19

Entry-Level (P10)
$44,710
$3,726/mo
Mid-Career (Median)
$54,610
$4,551/mo
Senior (P90)
$81,640
$6,803/mo

Pennsylvania vs National Average

Entry-Level (P10)
$44,710
National: $39,739
+12.5%
Mid-Career (Median)
$54,610
National: $56,547
-3.4%
Senior (P90)
$81,640
National: $89,208
-8.5%

Salary Progression: Entry-Level to Senior

The salary range for Social Science Research Assistants in Pennsylvania spans from $44,710 at entry-level to $81,640 at senior level — a difference of $36,930 per year.

P10
$44K
P25
$48K
Median
$54K
P75
$64K
P90
$81K

Career Growth Premium: +83%

Senior Social Science Research Assistantss in Pennsylvania earn $36,930 more per year than entry-level professionals.

Annual Difference
+$36,930
Monthly Difference
+$3,078
Hourly Difference
+$17.75
Growth Multiple
1.8x

Detailed Salary Breakdown by Experience Level

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

Experience Level Percentile Annual Salary Monthly Hourly
Entry-Level P10 $44,710 $3,726 $21.50
Early Career P25 $48,590 $4,049 $23.36
Mid-Career Median $54,610 $4,551 $26.25
Experienced P75 $64,790 $5,399 $31.15
Senior / Expert P90 $81,640 $6,803 $39.25
Key Insight

Social Science Research Assistants in Pennsylvania has a moderate salary progression with a 83% growth from entry-level ($44,710) to senior ($81,640). While the growth potential is steady, professionals looking to maximize earnings may benefit from specialization, advanced certifications, or gaining experience in higher-paying states. The gap between median ($54,610) and P90 ($81,640) shows there is still room for meaningful growth beyond mid-career.

How Pennsylvania Compares to Other States

Where does Pennsylvania rank for Social Science Research Assistants senior-level salaries? Compare Pennsylvania's P90 pay to other top-paying states.

1
$145,770
Entry: $30K
+381%
2
$136,810
Entry: $40K
+237%
3
$130,300
Entry: $48K
+170%
4
$117,070
Entry: $38K
+208%
5
$116,530
Entry: $37K
+211%
6
$115,660
Entry: $40K
+188%
7
$115,440
Entry: $37K
+208%
8
$113,020
Entry: $47K
+139%
9
$112,030
Entry: $50K
+120%
10
$108,730
Entry: $38K
+185%

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 $44,710 per year, or $3,725 per month. Early-career professionals (25th percentile) earn around $48,590. Based on 2025 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 $81,640 per year. Experienced professionals (75th percentile) earn around $64,790. This represents a career premium of 83% 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 83%. Entry-level professionals start at $44,710, while senior-level can earn up to $81,640 — a difference of $36,930 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 Pennsylvania, where 90th-percentile salaries reach $81,640 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) 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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About This Data

Salary percentile data for Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania.

Our Methodology · Data Sources · Source: BLS OEWS

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