Social Science Research Assistant salary in Pittsburgh, PA
Social Science Research Assistants in the Pittsburgh, PA metro area earn a median of $50,070 a year ($24.07 an hour), based on BLS data for 170 workers.
Pay ranges from $43,440 for the lowest-paid 10% to $73,670 for the top 10%. That is 19% lower than the national median of $61,990. Pay here is 8% lower than the Pennsylvania statewide median of $54,610. There are 0.15 social science research assistants per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.77). The average (mean) salary is $56,390, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for social science research assistants in Pittsburgh, PA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $43,440 | $20.89 |
| 25th percentile | $44,710 | $21.49 |
| Median | $50,070 | $24.07 |
| 75th percentile | $60,740 | $29.20 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $73,670 | $35.42 |
| Average (mean) | $56,390 | $27.11 |
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 | $4,172.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,086.25 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,925.77 |
| Weekly | $962.88 |
| Hourly | $24.07 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $50,070 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 other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | $61,760 | 560 |
| Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA | $50,450 | 40 |
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 |
See Social Science Research Assistant pay in every state or the Pennsylvania statewide figures.
Related jobs in Pittsburgh, PA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other | $51,490 | $24.76 |
| Chemical Technician | $51,030 | $24.53 |
| Biological Technician | $47,810 | $22.99 |
| Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health | $51,480 | $24.75 |
| Geological Technicians, Except Hydrologic Technicians | $43,440 | $20.88 |
| Forensic Science Technician | $55,380 | $26.63 |
| Food Science Technician | $48,970 | $23.55 |
| Forest and Conservation Technicians | $54,060 | $25.99 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $87,310 | $41.98 |
| Chemist | $74,200 | $35.67 |
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $65,360 | $31.42 |
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologists | $92,510 | $44.48 |
| School Psychologist | $92,370 | $44.41 |
| Biological Scientists, All Other | $85,630 | $41.17 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Pittsburgh, PA
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 Pittsburgh, PA?
The median salary for social science research assistants in the Pittsburgh, PA metro area is $50,070 a year, or $24.07 an hour. Pay ranges from $43,440 for the lowest-paid 10% to $73,670 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid social science research assistants make in Pittsburgh, PA?
The top 10% of social science research assistants in the Pittsburgh, PA metro area earn at least $73,670 a year. The top 25% earn $60,740 or more.
What is the starting pay for social science research assistants in Pittsburgh, PA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $43,440 a year, and a quarter of social science research assistants earn $44,710 or less.
How many social science research assistants work in Pittsburgh, PA?
About 170 social science research assistants are employed in the Pittsburgh, PA metro area, not counting the self-employed.