Social Science Research Assistant salary in Massachusetts
Social Science Research Assistants in Massachusetts earn a median of $63,480 a year ($30.52 an hour), based on BLS data for this job.
Pay ranges from $49,500 for the lowest-paid 10% to $82,130 for the top 10%. That is 2% higher than the national median of $61,990. Massachusetts ranks 13th of 45 states for social science research assistants pay. The average (mean) salary is $63,310, close to the median.
Pay range for social science research assistants in Massachusetts
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $49,500 | $23.80 |
| 25th percentile | $49,980 | $24.03 |
| Median | $63,480 | $30.52 |
| 75th percentile | $71,700 | $34.47 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $82,130 | $39.49 |
| Average (mean) | $63,310 | $30.44 |
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 | $5,290 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,645 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,441.54 |
| Weekly | $1,220.77 |
| Hourly | $30.52 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $63,480 salary, see how much house you can afford in Massachusetts at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Social Science Research Assistant salary in cities in Massachusetts
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH | $63,480 | n/a |
| Worcester, MA | $58,110 | 30 |
| Providence-Warwick, RI-MA | $52,470 | 220 |
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 Massachusetts
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Biological Technician | $62,070 | $29.84 |
| Chemical Technician | $67,570 | $32.48 |
| Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other | $63,820 | $30.68 |
| Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health | $59,330 | $28.52 |
| Forensic Science Technician | $79,320 | $38.14 |
| Food Science Technician | $56,850 | $27.33 |
| Hydrologic Technician | $73,820 | $35.49 |
| Nuclear Technician | $113,390 | $54.51 |
| Geological Technicians, Except Hydrologic Technicians | $61,630 | $29.63 |
| Forest and Conservation Technicians | $56,480 | $27.15 |
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $128,210 | $61.64 |
| Biochemists and Biophysicists | $131,600 | $63.27 |
| Chemist | $125,000 | $60.09 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $103,970 | $49.99 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Massachusetts
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 Massachusetts?
The median salary for social science research assistants in Massachusetts is $63,480 a year, or $30.52 an hour. Pay ranges from $49,500 for the lowest-paid 10% to $82,130 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid social science research assistants make in Massachusetts?
The top 10% of social science research assistants in Massachusetts earn at least $82,130 a year. The top 25% earn $71,700 or more.
What is the starting pay for social science research assistants in Massachusetts?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $49,500 a year, and a quarter of social science research assistants earn $49,980 or less.