Social Science Research Assistant salary in South Carolina
Social Science Research Assistants in South Carolina earn a median of $64,490 a year ($31.00 an hour), based on BLS data for 500 workers.
Pay ranges from $48,200 for the lowest-paid 10% to $130,300 for the top 10%. That is 4% higher than the national median of $61,990. South Carolina ranks 11th of 45 states for social science research assistants pay. There are 0.22 social science research assistants per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $73,790, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for social science research assistants in South Carolina
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $48,200 | $23.17 |
| 25th percentile | $50,070 | $24.07 |
| Median | $64,490 | $31.00 |
| 75th percentile | $79,740 | $38.34 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $130,300 | $62.65 |
| Average (mean) | $73,790 | $35.48 |
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 | $5,374.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,687.08 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,480.38 |
| Weekly | $1,240.19 |
| Hourly | $31.00 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $64,490 salary, see how much house you can afford in South Carolina at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Social Science Research Assistant salary in cities in South Carolina
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Greenville-Anderson-Greer, SC | $74,060 | 190 |
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $65,740 | 100 |
| Charleston-North Charleston, SC | $63,440 | 100 |
| Columbia, SC | $62,090 | 110 |
| Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC | $51,140 | 300 |
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 South Carolina
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Chemical Technician | $75,020 | $36.07 |
| Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other | $58,960 | $28.35 |
| Nuclear Technician | $108,490 | $52.16 |
| Biological Technician | $53,040 | $25.50 |
| Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health | $48,700 | $23.41 |
| Forest and Conservation Technicians | $55,910 | $26.88 |
| Forensic Science Technician | $51,830 | $24.92 |
| Agricultural Technician | $41,290 | $19.85 |
| Geological Technicians, Except Hydrologic Technicians | $53,160 | $25.56 |
| Food Science Technician | $39,480 | $18.98 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $88,080 | $42.35 |
| Chemist | $79,670 | $38.30 |
| School Psychologist | $76,720 | $36.89 |
| Urban and Regional Planners | $75,810 | $36.45 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in South 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 South Carolina?
The median salary for social science research assistants in South Carolina is $64,490 a year, or $31.00 an hour. Pay ranges from $48,200 for the lowest-paid 10% to $130,300 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid social science research assistants make in South Carolina?
The top 10% of social science research assistants in South Carolina earn at least $130,300 a year. The top 25% earn $79,740 or more.
What is the starting pay for social science research assistants in South Carolina?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $48,200 a year, and a quarter of social science research assistants earn $50,070 or less.
How many social science research assistants work in South Carolina?
About 500 social science research assistants are employed in South Carolina, not counting the self-employed.