Social Science Research Assistant salary in Ann Arbor, MI
Social Science Research Assistants in the Ann Arbor, MI metro area earn a median of $43,060 a year ($20.70 an hour), based on BLS data for 190 workers.
Pay ranges from $41,970 for the lowest-paid 10% to $69,300 for the top 10%. That is 31% lower than the national median of $61,990. Pay here is 28% lower than the Michigan statewide median of $60,210. There are 0.85 social science research assistants per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 4.3× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $51,060, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for social science research assistants in Ann Arbor, MI
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $41,970 | $20.18 |
| 25th percentile | $41,970 | $20.18 |
| Median | $43,060 | $20.70 |
| 75th percentile | $49,520 | $23.81 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $69,300 | $33.32 |
| Average (mean) | $51,060 | $24.55 |
Half of social science research assistants earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $3,588.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,794.17 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,656.15 |
| Weekly | $828.08 |
| Hourly | $20.70 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $43,060 salary, see how much house you can afford in Michigan at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Social Science Research Assistant salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Lansing-East Lansing, MI | $64,220 | 370 |
| Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI | $62,670 | 100 |
Highest-paying states for social science research assistants
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Oklahoma | $69,090 |
| Delaware | $68,230 |
| Kansas | $67,740 |
| Georgia | $66,620 |
| Kentucky | $66,390 |
| Missouri | $65,940 |
| New Hampshire | $65,690 |
| Maryland | $65,550 |
| District of Columbia | $65,330 |
| Illinois | $64,890 |
See Social Science Research Assistant pay in every state or the Michigan statewide figures.
Related jobs in Ann Arbor, MI
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Biological Technician | $52,110 | $25.05 |
| Chemical Technician | $47,880 | $23.02 |
| Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other | $52,510 | $25.25 |
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $85,120 | $40.92 |
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $82,060 | $39.45 |
| Chemist | $67,050 | $32.24 |
| Social Scientists and Related Workers, All Other | $85,370 | $41.04 |
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologists | $78,280 | $37.64 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $85,610 | $41.16 |
| Psychologists, All Other | $117,210 | $56.35 |
| Biochemists and Biophysicists | $109,070 | $52.44 |
| Biological Scientists, All Other | $71,880 | $34.56 |
| School Psychologist | $83,960 | $40.36 |
| Physicist | $64,380 | $30.95 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Ann Arbor, MI
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 19-4061. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a social science research assistant make in Ann Arbor, MI?
The median salary for social science research assistants in the Ann Arbor, MI metro area is $43,060 a year, or $20.70 an hour. Pay ranges from $41,970 for the lowest-paid 10% to $69,300 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid social science research assistants make in Ann Arbor, MI?
The top 10% of social science research assistants in the Ann Arbor, MI metro area earn at least $69,300 a year. The top 25% earn $49,520 or more.
What is the starting pay for social science research assistants in Ann Arbor, MI?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $41,970 a year, and a quarter of social science research assistants earn $41,970 or less.
How many social science research assistants work in Ann Arbor, MI?
About 190 social science research assistants are employed in the Ann Arbor, MI metro area, not counting the self-employed.