Social Science Research Assistant salary in Missouri
Social Science Research Assistants in Missouri earn a median of $65,940 a year ($31.70 an hour), based on BLS data for 750 workers.
Pay ranges from $39,250 for the lowest-paid 10% to $79,860 for the top 10%. That is 6% higher than the national median of $61,990. Missouri ranks 6th 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 $61,550, close to the median.
Pay range for social science research assistants in Missouri
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $39,250 | $18.87 |
| 25th percentile | $49,750 | $23.92 |
| Median | $65,940 | $31.70 |
| 75th percentile | $66,090 | $31.77 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $79,860 | $38.40 |
| Average (mean) | $61,550 | $29.59 |
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 | $5,495 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,747.50 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,536.15 |
| Weekly | $1,268.08 |
| Hourly | $31.70 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $65,940 salary, see how much house you can afford in Missouri at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Social Science Research Assistant salary in cities in Missouri
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Columbia, MO | $65,050 | 160 |
| Kansas City, MO-KS | $64,650 | 90 |
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 Missouri
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other | $50,410 | $24.24 |
| Chemical Technician | $68,550 | $32.96 |
| Biological Technician | $50,640 | $24.35 |
| Forest and Conservation Technicians | $33,920 | $16.31 |
| Agricultural Technician | $54,060 | $25.99 |
| Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health | $50,340 | $24.20 |
| Forensic Science Technician | $62,750 | $30.17 |
| Food Science Technician | $59,570 | $28.64 |
| Nuclear Technician | $104,580 | $50.28 |
| Hydrologic Technician | $79,440 | $38.19 |
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $102,540 | $49.30 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $83,090 | $39.95 |
| Chemist | $82,800 | $39.81 |
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $61,050 | $29.35 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Missouri
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 Missouri?
The median salary for social science research assistants in Missouri is $65,940 a year, or $31.70 an hour. Pay ranges from $39,250 for the lowest-paid 10% to $79,860 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid social science research assistants make in Missouri?
The top 10% of social science research assistants in Missouri earn at least $79,860 a year. The top 25% earn $66,090 or more.
What is the starting pay for social science research assistants in Missouri?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $39,250 a year, and a quarter of social science research assistants earn $49,750 or less.
How many social science research assistants work in Missouri?
About 750 social science research assistants are employed in Missouri, not counting the self-employed.