Social Science Research Assistants
Assist social scientists in laboratory, survey, and other social science research. May help prepare findings for publication and assist in laboratory analysis, quality control, or data management.
Also called: Clinical Research Assistant · Graduate Assistant · Graduate Research Assistant · Research Aide · Research Assistant · Research Associate
Median pay (national)
$58,040
$36,410–$100,620 (10th–90th)
Employed (US)
32,940
BLS OEWS, May 2024
Outlook 2024–34
+4.4%
~5,200 openings/yr
Typical entry
Bachelor's degree
What the numbers say
Refit analysis ·Pay for social science research assistants shows an unusually wide range: the top 10% earn $100,620 versus $36,410 at the bottom 10% — 2.8x. The median of $58,040 leaves roughly 73% of headroom to the 90th percentile, which is where seniority, specialization, and the skills below tend to pay off.
Refit analysis ·Employment is projected to change +4.4% from 2024 to 2034 — faster than the 3% all-occupation average. Even so, BLS projects about 5,200 openings a year, mostly to replace workers who retire or change careers.
Refit analysis ·Where you work moves the number a lot. Across the 41 states with released data, Ohio pays the most for this role (median $70,670, +22% vs the national median), while Iowa sits lowest at $31,150 — a 127% spread for the same job title.
Refit analysis ·O*NET rates Reading Comprehension, Active Listening, Writing as the highest-importance skills here — so a resume aimed at this role should lead with evidence of those, not a generic skills list. On the tools side, O*NET flags Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Office software, Microsoft PowerPoint, Python as in-demand technologies for this role.
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Top skills employers ask for
Ranked by O*NET importance for this occupation.
- Reading Comprehension
- Active Listening
- Writing
- Critical Thinking
- Speaking
- Science
- Mathematics
- Active Learning
- Learning Strategies
- Monitoring
What they actually do
Core O*NET tasks for this role.
- Prepare tables, graphs, fact sheets, and written reports summarizing research results.
- Verify the accuracy and validity of data entered in databases, correcting any errors.
- Develop and implement research quality control procedures.
- Prepare, manipulate, and manage extensive databases.
- Perform data entry and other clerical work as required for project completion.
- Conduct internet-based and library research.
- Present research findings to groups of people.
- Design and create special programs for tasks such as statistical analysis and data entry and cleaning.
- Perform descriptive and multivariate statistical analyses of data, using computer software.
- Provide assistance with the preparation of project-related reports, manuscripts, and presentations.
Tools & technology
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Office software
- Microsoft PowerPoint
- Python
- R
- Adobe Illustrator
- Adobe InDesign
- C++
- ESRI ArcGIS software
- Extensible markup language XML
- IBM SPSS Statistics
- JavaScript
- Microsoft SQL Server
- Microsoft Visual Basic
- Oracle Java
- Perl
Knowledge areas
- English Language
- Computers and Electronics
- Administrative
- Mathematics
- Customer and Personal Service
- Education and Training
- Psychology
- Administration and Management