Social Science Research Assistant salary in Indiana
Social Science Research Assistants in Indiana earn a median of $57,020 a year ($27.41 an hour), based on BLS data for 210 workers.
Pay ranges from $30,580 for the lowest-paid 10% to $105,750 for the top 10%. That is 8% lower than the national median of $61,990. Indiana ranks 23rd of 45 states for social science research assistants pay. There are 0.07 social science research assistants per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.34). The average (mean) salary is $62,450, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for social science research assistants in Indiana
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $30,580 | $14.70 |
| 25th percentile | $34,710 | $16.69 |
| Median | $57,020 | $27.41 |
| 75th percentile | $75,930 | $36.51 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $105,750 | $50.84 |
| Average (mean) | $62,450 | $30.03 |
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 | $4,751.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,375.83 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,193.08 |
| Weekly | $1,096.54 |
| Hourly | $27.41 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $57,020 salary, see how much house you can afford in Indiana at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Social Science Research Assistant salary in cities in Indiana
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN | $82,500 | 570 |
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $64,890 | 170 |
| Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN | $57,370 | 110 |
| Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN | $57,020 | 60 |
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 Indiana
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Chemical Technician | $59,290 | $28.50 |
| Biological Technician | $58,790 | $28.26 |
| Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health | $49,020 | $23.57 |
| Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other | $48,650 | $23.39 |
| Food Science Technician | $44,630 | $21.46 |
| Agricultural Technician | $46,170 | $22.20 |
| Forensic Science Technician | $66,520 | $31.98 |
| Forest and Conservation Technicians | $48,660 | $23.39 |
| Geological Technicians, Except Hydrologic Technicians | $79,290 | $38.12 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $83,470 | $40.13 |
| Chemist | $78,770 | $37.87 |
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $81,110 | $39.00 |
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologists | $84,990 | $40.86 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Technicians | $60,150 | $28.92 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Indiana
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 Indiana?
The median salary for social science research assistants in Indiana is $57,020 a year, or $27.41 an hour. Pay ranges from $30,580 for the lowest-paid 10% to $105,750 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid social science research assistants make in Indiana?
The top 10% of social science research assistants in Indiana earn at least $105,750 a year. The top 25% earn $75,930 or more.
What is the starting pay for social science research assistants in Indiana?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $30,580 a year, and a quarter of social science research assistants earn $34,710 or less.
How many social science research assistants work in Indiana?
About 210 social science research assistants are employed in Indiana, not counting the self-employed.