Social Science Research Assistant salary in Maryland
Social Science Research Assistants in Maryland earn a median of $65,550 a year ($31.52 an hour), based on BLS data for 700 workers.
Pay ranges from $47,260 for the lowest-paid 10% to $113,020 for the top 10%. That is 6% higher than the national median of $61,990. Maryland ranks 8th of 45 states for social science research assistants pay. There are 0.25 social science research assistants per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.3× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $73,310, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for social science research assistants in Maryland
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $47,260 | $22.72 |
| 25th percentile | $54,820 | $26.35 |
| Median | $65,550 | $31.52 |
| 75th percentile | $84,490 | $40.62 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $113,020 | $54.34 |
| Average (mean) | $73,310 | $35.25 |
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 | $5,462.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,731.25 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,521.15 |
| Weekly | $1,260.58 |
| Hourly | $31.52 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $65,550 salary, see how much house you can afford in Maryland at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Social Science Research Assistant salary in cities in Maryland
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD | $65,550 | 230 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $65,330 | 2,170 |
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | $61,760 | 560 |
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 Maryland
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other | $68,390 | $32.88 |
| Biological Technician | $52,900 | $25.44 |
| Chemical Technician | $49,280 | $23.69 |
| Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health | $55,090 | $26.49 |
| Forensic Science Technician | $82,140 | $39.49 |
| Food Science Technician | $57,880 | $27.83 |
| Agricultural Technician | $49,680 | $23.88 |
| Forest and Conservation Technicians | $64,980 | $31.24 |
| Hydrologic Technician | $67,520 | $32.46 |
| Geological Technicians, Except Hydrologic Technicians | $102,090 | $49.08 |
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $106,000 | $50.96 |
| Biological Scientists, All Other | $121,680 | $58.50 |
| Social Scientists and Related Workers, All Other | $131,810 | $63.37 |
| Chemist | $140,670 | $67.63 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Maryland
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 Maryland?
The median salary for social science research assistants in Maryland is $65,550 a year, or $31.52 an hour. Pay ranges from $47,260 for the lowest-paid 10% to $113,020 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid social science research assistants make in Maryland?
The top 10% of social science research assistants in Maryland earn at least $113,020 a year. The top 25% earn $84,490 or more.
What is the starting pay for social science research assistants in Maryland?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $47,260 a year, and a quarter of social science research assistants earn $54,820 or less.
How many social science research assistants work in Maryland?
About 700 social science research assistants are employed in Maryland, not counting the self-employed.