Social Science Research Assistant salary in Columbia, SC
Social Science Research Assistants in the Columbia, SC metro area earn a median of $62,090 a year ($29.85 an hour), based on BLS data for 110 workers.
Pay ranges from $38,980 for the lowest-paid 10% to $134,410 for the top 10%. That is about the same as the national median of $61,990. Pay here is 4% lower than the South Carolina statewide median of $64,490. There are 0.27 social science research assistants per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.4× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $72,860, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for social science research assistants in Columbia, SC
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $38,980 | $18.74 |
| 25th percentile | $45,890 | $22.06 |
| Median | $62,090 | $29.85 |
| 75th percentile | $81,250 | $39.06 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $134,410 | $64.62 |
| Average (mean) | $72,860 | $35.03 |
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 | $5,174.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,587.08 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,388.08 |
| Weekly | $1,194.04 |
| Hourly | $29.85 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $62,090 salary, see how much house you can afford in South Carolina 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Greenville-Anderson-Greer, SC | $74,060 | 190 |
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $65,740 | 100 |
| Charleston-North Charleston, SC | $63,440 | 100 |
| Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC | $51,140 | 300 |
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 South Carolina statewide figures.
Related jobs in Columbia, SC
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other | $51,840 | $24.92 |
| Chemical Technician | $64,740 | $31.12 |
| Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health | $51,290 | $24.66 |
| Forensic Science Technician | $45,990 | $22.11 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $79,160 | $38.06 |
| Chemist | $73,430 | $35.30 |
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologists | $99,960 | $48.06 |
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $85,300 | $41.01 |
| Hydrologist | $65,770 | $31.62 |
| School Psychologist | $81,370 | $39.12 |
| Social Scientists and Related Workers, All Other | $83,780 | $40.28 |
| Conservation Scientist | $45,910 | $22.07 |
| Urban and Regional Planners | $71,910 | $34.57 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Technicians | $50,900 | $24.47 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Columbia, SC
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 Columbia, SC?
The median salary for social science research assistants in the Columbia, SC metro area is $62,090 a year, or $29.85 an hour. Pay ranges from $38,980 for the lowest-paid 10% to $134,410 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid social science research assistants make in Columbia, SC?
The top 10% of social science research assistants in the Columbia, SC metro area earn at least $134,410 a year. The top 25% earn $81,250 or more.
What is the starting pay for social science research assistants in Columbia, SC?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $38,980 a year, and a quarter of social science research assistants earn $45,890 or less.
How many social science research assistants work in Columbia, SC?
About 110 social science research assistants are employed in the Columbia, SC metro area, not counting the self-employed.