Social Science Research Assistant salary in Raleigh-Cary, NC
Social Science Research Assistants in the Raleigh-Cary, NC metro area earn a median of $65,330 a year ($31.41 an hour), based on BLS data for 540 workers.
Pay ranges from $50,550 for the lowest-paid 10% to $86,150 for the top 10%. That is 5% higher than the national median of $61,990. Pay here is 3% higher than the North Carolina statewide median of $63,710. There are 0.73 social science research assistants per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 3.7× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $63,380, close to the median.
Pay range for social science research assistants in Raleigh-Cary, NC
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $50,550 | $24.30 |
| 25th percentile | $52,130 | $25.06 |
| Median | $65,330 | $31.41 |
| 75th percentile | $67,680 | $32.54 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $86,150 | $41.42 |
| Average (mean) | $63,380 | $30.47 |
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 | $5,444.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,722.08 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,512.69 |
| Weekly | $1,256.35 |
| Hourly | $31.41 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $65,330 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 other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $65,740 | 100 |
| 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 |
See Social Science Research Assistant pay in every state or the North Carolina statewide figures.
Related jobs in Raleigh-Cary, NC
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Biological Technician | $64,200 | $30.87 |
| Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health | $57,890 | $27.83 |
| Chemical Technician | $63,640 | $30.60 |
| Geological Technicians, Except Hydrologic Technicians | $47,920 | $23.04 |
| Forensic Science Technician | $62,790 | $30.19 |
| Forest and Conservation Technicians | $45,390 | $21.82 |
| Hydrologic Technician | $70,750 | $34.01 |
| Agricultural Technician | $51,540 | $24.78 |
| Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other | $77,000 | $37.02 |
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $81,400 | $39.13 |
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $104,500 | $50.24 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $90,490 | $43.51 |
| Chemist | $84,150 | $40.46 |
| Biological Scientists, All Other | $102,400 | $49.23 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Raleigh-Cary, NC
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 Raleigh-Cary, NC?
The median salary for social science research assistants in the Raleigh-Cary, NC metro area is $65,330 a year, or $31.41 an hour. Pay ranges from $50,550 for the lowest-paid 10% to $86,150 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid social science research assistants make in Raleigh-Cary, NC?
The top 10% of social science research assistants in the Raleigh-Cary, NC metro area earn at least $86,150 a year. The top 25% earn $67,680 or more.
What is the starting pay for social science research assistants in Raleigh-Cary, NC?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $50,550 a year, and a quarter of social science research assistants earn $52,130 or less.
How many social science research assistants work in Raleigh-Cary, NC?
About 540 social science research assistants are employed in the Raleigh-Cary, NC metro area, not counting the self-employed.