Social Science Research Assistant salary in North Carolina
Social Science Research Assistants in North Carolina earn a median of $63,710 a year ($30.63 an hour), based on BLS data for 2,930 workers.
Pay ranges from $49,980 for the lowest-paid 10% to $81,650 for the top 10%. That is 3% higher than the national median of $61,990. North Carolina ranks 12th of 45 states for social science research assistants pay. There are 0.59 social science research assistants per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 3.0× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $65,260, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for social science research assistants in North Carolina
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $49,980 | $24.03 |
| 25th percentile | $52,130 | $25.06 |
| Median | $63,710 | $30.63 |
| 75th percentile | $67,680 | $32.54 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $81,650 | $39.26 |
| Average (mean) | $65,260 | $31.38 |
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 | $5,309.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,654.58 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,450.38 |
| Weekly | $1,225.19 |
| Hourly | $30.63 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $63,710 salary, see how much house you can afford in North Carolina at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Social Science Research Assistant salary in cities in North Carolina
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $65,740 | 100 |
| Raleigh-Cary, NC | $65,330 | 540 |
| Greensboro-High Point, NC | $64,490 | 180 |
| Greenville, NC | $53,140 | 150 |
| Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC | $49,480 | 60 |
| Wilmington, NC | $46,480 | 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 North Carolina
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Chemical Technician | $59,030 | $28.38 |
| Biological Technician | $61,720 | $29.67 |
| Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other | $49,200 | $23.65 |
| Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health | $51,630 | $24.82 |
| Forest and Conservation Technicians | $48,360 | $23.25 |
| Agricultural Technician | $51,470 | $24.74 |
| Forensic Science Technician | $59,240 | $28.48 |
| Nuclear Technician | $110,430 | $53.09 |
| Geological Technicians, Except Hydrologic Technicians | $48,090 | $23.12 |
| Food Science Technician | $48,640 | $23.39 |
| Hydrologic Technician | $59,590 | $28.65 |
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $102,980 | $49.51 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $86,650 | $41.66 |
| Chemist | $82,620 | $39.72 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in North Carolina
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 North Carolina?
The median salary for social science research assistants in North Carolina is $63,710 a year, or $30.63 an hour. Pay ranges from $49,980 for the lowest-paid 10% to $81,650 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid social science research assistants make in North Carolina?
The top 10% of social science research assistants in North Carolina earn at least $81,650 a year. The top 25% earn $67,680 or more.
What is the starting pay for social science research assistants in North Carolina?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $49,980 a year, and a quarter of social science research assistants earn $52,130 or less.
How many social science research assistants work in North Carolina?
About 2,930 social science research assistants are employed in North Carolina, not counting the self-employed.