How much does a Social Science Research Assistants actually take home in Massachusetts?
5.0% flat rate — 21.3% effective total tax rateData: BLS OEWS 2024 + IRS/State Tax Brackets 2024 • Updated 2026-04-06
Some links are affiliate links. See our disclosure.
Detailed line-by-line tax calculation for a Social Science Research Assistants earning $59,210 in Massachusetts (single filer, standard deduction).
| Tax Component | Annual Amount | Effective Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Gross Salary (Median) | $59,210 | — |
| Federal Income Tax | -$5,121 | 8.6% |
| Massachusetts State Income Tax | -$2,960 | 5.0% |
| Social Security (OASDI) | -$3,671 | 6.2% |
| Medicare | -$858 | 1.5% |
| Total Taxes | -$12,611 | 21.3% |
| Take-Home Pay | $46,598 | 78.7% |
Take-home pay varies significantly across experience levels. Here is the after-tax breakdown for each salary percentile of Social Science Research Assistants in Massachusetts.
| Percentile | Gross Salary | Total Taxes | Take-Home Pay | Tax Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile (P10) | $43,540 | -$8,748 | $34,791 | 20.1% |
| 25th Percentile (P25) | $46,140 | -$9,389 | $36,750 | 20.4% |
| Median (P50) | $59,210 | -$12,611 | $46,598 | 21.3% |
| 75th Percentile (P75) | $66,050 | -$14,727 | $51,322 | 22.3% |
| 90th Percentile (P90) | $81,550 | -$20,098 | $61,451 | 24.6% |
After federal income tax ($5,121), state tax ($2,960), and FICA ($4,529), a Social Science Research Assistants in Massachusetts takes home $46,598 per year — or $3,883 per month. The effective tax rate of 21.3% is relatively low compared to the national range.
Where does a Social Science Research Assistants keep the most of their paycheck? Top 10 states ranked by after-tax take-home pay.
Massachusetts ranks #11 out of 42 states for Social Science Research Assistants after-tax take-home pay.
A Social Science Research Assistants in Massachusetts earning a median salary of $59,210 will take home approximately $46,598 per year after federal income tax ($5,121), state income tax ($2,960), and FICA ($4,529). That is $3,883 per month or $1,792 per bi-weekly paycheck.
The effective total tax rate for a Social Science Research Assistants in Massachusetts is 21.3%, broken down as: federal income tax 8.6%, Massachusetts state tax 5.0%, and FICA (Social Security + Medicare) 7.7%. This assumes a single filer with the standard deduction for 2024.
Massachusetts has a 5.0% flat rate. On a Social Science Research Assistants's median salary of $59,210, the state income tax amounts to $2,960 per year, which is an effective state rate of 5.0%.
After all taxes, a Social Science Research Assistants in Massachusetts takes home approximately $3,883 per month, or about $22.40 per hour (based on a standard 2,080-hour work year). These figures assume a single filer, standard deduction, and no additional pre-tax deductions.
We start with the 2024 BLS median salary of $59,210 for Social Science Research Assistants in Massachusetts, then subtract: federal income tax using 2024 IRS brackets ($14,600 standard deduction), Massachusetts state income tax (5.0% flat rate), Social Security (6.2% up to $168,600), and Medicare (1.45%). The result — $46,598/yr — does not include local taxes, pre-tax deductions (401k, HSA), or tax credits.
This estimate assumes a single filer using the 2024 standard deduction ($14,600), with W-2 employment income only. It does not account for: itemized deductions, tax credits (e.g. earned income credit, child tax credit), local/city taxes, pre-tax contributions (401k, HSA, FSA), self-employment tax, or additional income sources. Actual take-home pay may differ. Consult a tax professional for personalized advice.
Our Methodology · Data Sources · Salary: BLS OEWS · Tax: IRS + State DOR