Social Science Research Assistant salary in New York
Social Science Research Assistants in New York earn a median of $61,210 a year ($29.43 an hour), based on BLS data for 3,040 workers.
Pay ranges from $35,520 for the lowest-paid 10% to $103,080 for the top 10%. That is 1% lower than the national median of $61,990. New York ranks 18th of 45 states for social science research assistants pay. There are 0.31 social science research assistants per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.6× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $66,500, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for social science research assistants in New York
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $35,520 | $17.08 |
| 25th percentile | $46,280 | $22.25 |
| Median | $61,210 | $29.43 |
| 75th percentile | $79,630 | $38.28 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $103,080 | $49.56 |
| Average (mean) | $66,500 | $31.97 |
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 | $5,100.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,550.42 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,354.23 |
| Weekly | $1,177.12 |
| Hourly | $29.43 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $61,210 salary, see how much house you can afford in New York at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Social Science Research Assistant salary in cities in New York
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | $65,330 | 2,610 |
| Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY | $52,070 | 240 |
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 York
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other | $63,810 | $30.68 |
| Biological Technician | $61,210 | $29.43 |
| Chemical Technician | $60,900 | $29.28 |
| Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health | $62,400 | $30.00 |
| Forensic Science Technician | $81,670 | $39.27 |
| Food Science Technician | $55,470 | $26.67 |
| Agricultural Technician | $45,830 | $22.03 |
| Geological Technicians, Except Hydrologic Technicians | $57,150 | $27.48 |
| Nuclear Technician | $129,780 | $62.40 |
| Forest and Conservation Technicians | $58,030 | $27.90 |
| Hydrologic Technician | $65,190 | $31.34 |
| School Psychologist | $106,550 | $51.22 |
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologists | $114,400 | $55.00 |
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $87,760 | $42.19 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in New York
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 York?
The median salary for social science research assistants in New York is $61,210 a year, or $29.43 an hour. Pay ranges from $35,520 for the lowest-paid 10% to $103,080 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid social science research assistants make in New York?
The top 10% of social science research assistants in New York earn at least $103,080 a year. The top 25% earn $79,630 or more.
What is the starting pay for social science research assistants in New York?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $35,520 a year, and a quarter of social science research assistants earn $46,280 or less.
How many social science research assistants work in New York?
About 3,040 social science research assistants are employed in New York, not counting the self-employed.