Social Science Research Assistant salary in Minnesota
Social Science Research Assistants in Minnesota earn a median of $44,920 a year ($21.60 an hour), based on BLS data for 300 workers.
Pay ranges from $38,080 for the lowest-paid 10% to $68,070 for the top 10%. That is 28% lower than the national median of $61,990. Minnesota ranks 42nd of 45 states for social science research assistants pay. There are 0.10 social science research assistants per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.52). The average (mean) salary is $48,410, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for social science research assistants in Minnesota
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $38,080 | $18.31 |
| 25th percentile | $40,680 | $19.56 |
| Median | $44,920 | $21.60 |
| 75th percentile | $48,380 | $23.26 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $68,070 | $32.73 |
| Average (mean) | $48,410 | $23.28 |
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 | $3,743.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,871.67 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,727.69 |
| Weekly | $863.85 |
| Hourly | $21.60 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $44,920 salary, see how much house you can afford in Minnesota at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Social Science Research Assistant salary in cities in Minnesota
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI | $45,760 | 260 |
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 Minnesota
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Biological Technician | $48,130 | $23.14 |
| Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other | $49,410 | $23.75 |
| Chemical Technician | $62,400 | $30.00 |
| Forest and Conservation Technicians | $58,990 | $28.36 |
| Agricultural Technician | $57,310 | $27.55 |
| Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health | $65,320 | $31.41 |
| Food Science Technician | $57,940 | $27.86 |
| Forensic Science Technician | $76,960 | $37.00 |
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $89,950 | $43.25 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $96,990 | $46.63 |
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $88,000 | $42.31 |
| Chemist | $99,280 | $47.73 |
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologists | $107,030 | $51.46 |
| School Psychologist | $85,190 | $40.96 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Minnesota
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 Minnesota?
The median salary for social science research assistants in Minnesota is $44,920 a year, or $21.60 an hour. Pay ranges from $38,080 for the lowest-paid 10% to $68,070 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid social science research assistants make in Minnesota?
The top 10% of social science research assistants in Minnesota earn at least $68,070 a year. The top 25% earn $48,380 or more.
What is the starting pay for social science research assistants in Minnesota?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $38,080 a year, and a quarter of social science research assistants earn $40,680 or less.
How many social science research assistants work in Minnesota?
About 300 social science research assistants are employed in Minnesota, not counting the self-employed.