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

How does Social Science Research Assistants salary grow from entry-level to senior in Virginia? State salary progression based on 2024 BLS data.

99% career growth potential

Data: BLS OEWS 2024 • Virginia salary data • Updated 2026-04-06

Entry-Level (P10)
$36,890
$3,074/mo
Mid-Career (Median)
$49,180
$4,098/mo
Senior (P90)
$73,540
$6,128/mo

Virginia vs National Average

Entry-Level (P10)
$36,890
National: $37,760
-2.3%
Mid-Career (Median)
$49,180
National: $53,351
-7.8%
Senior (P90)
$73,540
National: $82,739
-11.1%

Salary Progression: Entry-Level to Senior

The salary range for Social Science Research Assistants in Virginia spans from $36,890 at entry-level to $73,540 at senior level — a difference of $36,650 per year.

P10
$36K
P25
$40K
Median
$49K
P75
$62K
P90
$73K

Career Growth Premium: +99%

Senior Social Science Research Assistantss in Virginia earn $36,650 more per year than entry-level professionals.

Annual Difference
+$36,650
Monthly Difference
+$3,054
Hourly Difference
+$17.62
Growth Multiple
2.0x

Detailed Salary Breakdown by Experience Level

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

Experience Level Percentile Annual Salary Monthly Hourly
Entry-Level P10 $36,890 $3,074 $17.74
Early Career P25 $40,630 $3,386 $19.53
Mid-Career Median $49,180 $4,098 $23.64
Experienced P75 $62,240 $5,187 $29.92
Senior / Expert P90 $73,540 $6,128 $35.36
Key Insight

Social Science Research Assistants in Virginia has a moderate salary progression with a 99% growth from entry-level ($36,890) to senior ($73,540). 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 ($49,180) and P90 ($73,540) shows there is still room for meaningful growth beyond mid-career.

How Virginia Compares to Other States

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

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 $36,890 per year, or $3,074 per month. Early-career professionals (25th percentile) earn around $40,630. 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 $73,540 per year. Experienced professionals (75th percentile) earn around $62,240. This represents a career premium of 99% 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 99%. Entry-level professionals start at $36,890, while senior-level can earn up to $73,540 — a difference of $36,650 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 Virginia, where 90th-percentile salaries reach $73,540 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 for Virginia from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2024. 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 Virginia.

Our Methodology · Data Sources · Source: BLS OEWS

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