Social Science Research Assistant salary in Iowa
Social Science Research Assistants in Iowa earn a median of $40,940 a year ($19.68 an hour), based on BLS data for 140 workers.
Pay ranges from $22,260 for the lowest-paid 10% to $58,470 for the top 10%. That is 34% lower than the national median of $61,990. Iowa ranks 44th of 45 states for social science research assistants pay. There are 0.09 social science research assistants per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.45). The average (mean) salary is $40,040, close to the median.
Pay range for social science research assistants in Iowa
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $22,260 | $10.70 |
| 25th percentile | $33,000 | $15.86 |
| Median | $40,940 | $19.68 |
| 75th percentile | $44,520 | $21.41 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $58,470 | $28.11 |
| Average (mean) | $40,040 | $19.25 |
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 | $3,411.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,705.83 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,574.62 |
| Weekly | $787.31 |
| Hourly | $19.68 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $40,940 salary, see how much house you can afford in Iowa at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Social Science Research Assistant salary in cities in Iowa
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Omaha, NE-IA | $46,730 | 150 |
| Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA | $33,840 | 40 |
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 Iowa
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Biological Technician | $48,050 | $23.10 |
| Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health | $52,020 | $25.01 |
| Chemical Technician | $58,090 | $27.93 |
| Food Science Technician | $50,740 | $24.40 |
| Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other | $50,480 | $24.27 |
| Forest and Conservation Technicians | $52,000 | $25.00 |
| Forensic Science Technician | $67,060 | $32.24 |
| Agricultural Technician | $64,070 | $30.80 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $87,830 | $42.23 |
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $83,850 | $40.31 |
| Soil and Plant Scientists | $96,310 | $46.30 |
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $78,780 | $37.88 |
| Conservation Scientist | $69,240 | $33.29 |
| Chemist | $86,100 | $41.39 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Iowa
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 Iowa?
The median salary for social science research assistants in Iowa is $40,940 a year, or $19.68 an hour. Pay ranges from $22,260 for the lowest-paid 10% to $58,470 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid social science research assistants make in Iowa?
The top 10% of social science research assistants in Iowa earn at least $58,470 a year. The top 25% earn $44,520 or more.
What is the starting pay for social science research assistants in Iowa?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $22,260 a year, and a quarter of social science research assistants earn $33,000 or less.
How many social science research assistants work in Iowa?
About 140 social science research assistants are employed in Iowa, not counting the self-employed.