Social Science Research Assistant salary in Rhode Island
Social Science Research Assistants in Rhode Island earn a median of $51,420 a year ($24.72 an hour), based on BLS data for 220 workers.
Pay ranges from $41,990 for the lowest-paid 10% to $99,720 for the top 10%. That is 17% lower than the national median of $61,990. Rhode Island ranks 30th of 45 states for social science research assistants pay. There are 0.44 social science research assistants per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 2.2× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $64,380, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for social science research assistants in Rhode Island
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $41,990 | $20.19 |
| 25th percentile | $51,420 | $24.72 |
| Median | $51,420 | $24.72 |
| 75th percentile | $68,710 | $33.03 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $99,720 | $47.94 |
| Average (mean) | $64,380 | $30.95 |
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 | $4,285 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,142.50 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,977.69 |
| Weekly | $988.85 |
| Hourly | $24.72 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $51,420 salary, see how much house you can afford in Rhode Island at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Social Science Research Assistant salary in cities in Rhode Island
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Providence-Warwick, RI-MA | $52,470 | 220 |
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 Rhode Island
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other | $69,630 | $33.48 |
| Chemical Technician | $61,680 | $29.66 |
| Biological Technician | $45,530 | $21.89 |
| Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health | $64,830 | $31.17 |
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $103,370 | $49.70 |
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologists | $107,490 | $51.68 |
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $100,730 | $48.43 |
| School Psychologist | $94,900 | $45.62 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $101,740 | $48.91 |
| Urban and Regional Planners | $90,210 | $43.37 |
| Chemist | $101,660 | $48.88 |
| Social Scientists and Related Workers, All Other | $89,960 | $43.25 |
| Biological Scientists, All Other | $101,750 | $48.92 |
| Psychologists, All Other | $130,960 | $62.96 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Rhode Island
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 Rhode Island?
The median salary for social science research assistants in Rhode Island is $51,420 a year, or $24.72 an hour. Pay ranges from $41,990 for the lowest-paid 10% to $99,720 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid social science research assistants make in Rhode Island?
The top 10% of social science research assistants in Rhode Island earn at least $99,720 a year. The top 25% earn $68,710 or more.
What is the starting pay for social science research assistants in Rhode Island?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $41,990 a year, and a quarter of social science research assistants earn $51,420 or less.
How many social science research assistants work in Rhode Island?
About 220 social science research assistants are employed in Rhode Island, not counting the self-employed.