Social Science Research Assistant salary in Montana
Social Science Research Assistants in Montana earn a median of $49,860 a year ($23.97 an hour), based on BLS data for 30 workers.
Pay ranges from $29,680 for the lowest-paid 10% to $69,570 for the top 10%. That is 20% lower than the national median of $61,990. Montana ranks 38th of 45 states for social science research assistants pay. There are 0.06 social science research assistants per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.31). The average (mean) salary is $48,920, close to the median.
Pay range for social science research assistants in Montana
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $29,680 | $14.27 |
| 25th percentile | $45,290 | $21.77 |
| Median | $49,860 | $23.97 |
| 75th percentile | $51,820 | $24.91 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $69,570 | $33.45 |
| Average (mean) | $48,920 | $23.52 |
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 | $4,155 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,077.50 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,917.69 |
| Weekly | $958.85 |
| Hourly | $23.97 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $49,860 salary, see how much house you can afford in Montana at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
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 Montana
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Forest and Conservation Technicians | $52,420 | $25.20 |
| Biological Technician | $49,920 | $24.00 |
| Chemical Technician | $52,890 | $25.43 |
| Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other | $52,260 | $25.13 |
| Geological Technicians, Except Hydrologic Technicians | $55,520 | $26.69 |
| Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health | $60,550 | $29.11 |
| Hydrologic Technician | $53,550 | $25.75 |
| Forensic Science Technician | $82,200 | $39.52 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $81,330 | $39.10 |
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $80,260 | $38.59 |
| Conservation Scientist | $73,920 | $35.54 |
| Biological Scientists, All Other | $91,560 | $44.02 |
| Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists | $78,850 | $37.91 |
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $101,950 | $49.02 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Montana
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 Montana?
The median salary for social science research assistants in Montana is $49,860 a year, or $23.97 an hour. Pay ranges from $29,680 for the lowest-paid 10% to $69,570 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid social science research assistants make in Montana?
The top 10% of social science research assistants in Montana earn at least $69,570 a year. The top 25% earn $51,820 or more.
What is the starting pay for social science research assistants in Montana?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $29,680 a year, and a quarter of social science research assistants earn $45,290 or less.
How many social science research assistants work in Montana?
About 30 social science research assistants are employed in Montana, not counting the self-employed.