Social Science Research Assistant salary in Pennsylvania
Social Science Research Assistants in Pennsylvania earn a median of $54,610 a year ($26.26 an hour), based on BLS data for 860 workers.
Pay ranges from $44,710 for the lowest-paid 10% to $81,640 for the top 10%. That is 12% lower than the national median of $61,990. Pennsylvania ranks 26th of 45 states for social science research assistants pay. There are 0.14 social science research assistants per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.72). The average (mean) salary is $60,080, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for social science research assistants in Pennsylvania
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $44,710 | $21.49 |
| 25th percentile | $48,590 | $23.36 |
| Median | $54,610 | $26.26 |
| 75th percentile | $64,790 | $31.15 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $81,640 | $39.25 |
| Average (mean) | $60,080 | $28.88 |
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 | $4,550.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,275.42 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,100.38 |
| Weekly | $1,050.19 |
| Hourly | $26.26 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $54,610 salary, see how much house you can afford in Pennsylvania at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Social Science Research Assistant salary in cities in Pennsylvania
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | $61,760 | 560 |
| Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA | $50,450 | 40 |
| Pittsburgh, PA | $50,070 | 170 |
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 Pennsylvania
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Biological Technician | $54,950 | $26.42 |
| Chemical Technician | $59,420 | $28.57 |
| Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other | $57,680 | $27.73 |
| Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health | $60,650 | $29.16 |
| Food Science Technician | $48,060 | $23.11 |
| Forest and Conservation Technicians | $57,370 | $27.58 |
| Forensic Science Technician | $61,580 | $29.60 |
| Nuclear Technician | $124,070 | $59.65 |
| Geological Technicians, Except Hydrologic Technicians | $47,380 | $22.78 |
| Agricultural Technician | $48,800 | $23.46 |
| Hydrologic Technician | $65,420 | $31.45 |
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $99,190 | $47.69 |
| Chemist | $77,090 | $37.06 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $87,050 | $41.85 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Pennsylvania
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 Pennsylvania?
The median salary for social science research assistants in Pennsylvania is $54,610 a year, or $26.26 an hour. Pay ranges from $44,710 for the lowest-paid 10% to $81,640 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid social science research assistants make in Pennsylvania?
The top 10% of social science research assistants in Pennsylvania earn at least $81,640 a year. The top 25% earn $64,790 or more.
What is the starting pay for social science research assistants in Pennsylvania?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $44,710 a year, and a quarter of social science research assistants earn $48,590 or less.
How many social science research assistants work in Pennsylvania?
About 860 social science research assistants are employed in Pennsylvania, not counting the self-employed.