Social Science Research Assistant salary in California
Social Science Research Assistants in California earn a median of $60,250 a year ($28.97 an hour), based on BLS data for 5,300 workers.
Pay ranges from $38,060 for the lowest-paid 10% to $117,070 for the top 10%. That is 3% lower than the national median of $61,990. California ranks 19th of 45 states for social science research assistants pay. There are 0.29 social science research assistants per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.5× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $70,260, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for social science research assistants in California
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $38,060 | $18.30 |
| 25th percentile | $41,670 | $20.04 |
| Median | $60,250 | $28.97 |
| 75th percentile | $84,990 | $40.86 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $117,070 | $56.28 |
| Average (mean) | $70,260 | $33.78 |
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 | $5,020.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,510.42 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,317.31 |
| Weekly | $1,158.65 |
| Hourly | $28.97 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $60,250 salary, see how much house you can afford in California at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Social Science Research Assistant salary in cities in California
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $82,020 | 710 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $75,010 | 330 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $66,520 | 670 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $59,240 | 2,290 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $54,310 | 180 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | $36,710 | 100 |
| Chico, CA | $36,080 | 50 |
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 |
Related jobs in California
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other | $78,350 | $37.67 |
| Biological Technician | $71,440 | $34.34 |
| Chemical Technician | $59,510 | $28.61 |
| Forest and Conservation Technicians | $58,120 | $27.94 |
| Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health | $61,220 | $29.43 |
| Food Science Technician | $54,200 | $26.06 |
| Forensic Science Technician | $102,100 | $49.09 |
| Agricultural Technician | $60,320 | $29.00 |
| Geological Technicians, Except Hydrologic Technicians | $69,410 | $33.37 |
| Hydrologic Technician | $70,790 | $34.03 |
| Nuclear Technician | $99,270 | $47.72 |
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $136,990 | $65.86 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $102,840 | $49.44 |
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologists | $116,000 | $55.77 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in California
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 California?
The median salary for social science research assistants in California is $60,250 a year, or $28.97 an hour. Pay ranges from $38,060 for the lowest-paid 10% to $117,070 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid social science research assistants make in California?
The top 10% of social science research assistants in California earn at least $117,070 a year. The top 25% earn $84,990 or more.
What is the starting pay for social science research assistants in California?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $38,060 a year, and a quarter of social science research assistants earn $41,670 or less.
How many social science research assistants work in California?
About 5,300 social science research assistants are employed in California, not counting the self-employed.