Social Science Research Assistant salary in New Jersey
Social Science Research Assistants in New Jersey earn a median of $62,760 a year ($30.18 an hour), based on BLS data for 370 workers.
Pay ranges from $37,960 for the lowest-paid 10% to $105,390 for the top 10%. That is 1% higher than the national median of $61,990. New Jersey ranks 14th of 45 states for social science research assistants pay. There are 0.09 social science research assistants per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.44). The average (mean) salary is $69,260, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for social science research assistants in New Jersey
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $37,960 | $18.25 |
| 25th percentile | $49,390 | $23.75 |
| Median | $62,760 | $30.18 |
| 75th percentile | $85,270 | $41.00 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $105,390 | $50.67 |
| Average (mean) | $69,260 | $33.30 |
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 | $5,230 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,615 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,413.85 |
| Weekly | $1,206.92 |
| Hourly | $30.18 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $62,760 salary, see how much house you can afford in New Jersey at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Social Science Research Assistant salary in cities in New Jersey
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | $65,330 | 2,610 |
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | $61,760 | 560 |
| Trenton-Princeton, NJ | $60,980 | 30 |
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 New Jersey
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Chemical Technician | $58,580 | $28.16 |
| Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other | $55,980 | $26.91 |
| Biological Technician | $66,040 | $31.75 |
| Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health | $52,190 | $25.09 |
| Food Science Technician | $56,730 | $27.28 |
| Forensic Science Technician | $63,220 | $30.39 |
| Hydrologic Technician | $65,190 | $31.34 |
| Agricultural Technician | $54,370 | $26.14 |
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $129,280 | $62.16 |
| Chemist | $84,450 | $40.60 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $90,610 | $43.56 |
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $79,210 | $38.08 |
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologists | $127,090 | $61.10 |
| Biochemists and Biophysicists | $122,620 | $58.95 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in New Jersey
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 New Jersey?
The median salary for social science research assistants in New Jersey is $62,760 a year, or $30.18 an hour. Pay ranges from $37,960 for the lowest-paid 10% to $105,390 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid social science research assistants make in New Jersey?
The top 10% of social science research assistants in New Jersey earn at least $105,390 a year. The top 25% earn $85,270 or more.
What is the starting pay for social science research assistants in New Jersey?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $37,960 a year, and a quarter of social science research assistants earn $49,390 or less.
How many social science research assistants work in New Jersey?
About 370 social science research assistants are employed in New Jersey, not counting the self-employed.