Social Science Research Assistant salary in Virginia
Social Science Research Assistants in Virginia earn a median of $53,260 a year ($25.61 an hour), based on BLS data for 700 workers.
Pay ranges from $42,550 for the lowest-paid 10% to $83,760 for the top 10%. That is 14% lower than the national median of $61,990. Virginia ranks 27th of 45 states for social science research assistants pay. There are 0.17 social science research assistants per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $59,810, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for social science research assistants in Virginia
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $42,550 | $20.46 |
| 25th percentile | $45,880 | $22.06 |
| Median | $53,260 | $25.61 |
| 75th percentile | $66,430 | $31.94 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $83,760 | $40.27 |
| Average (mean) | $59,810 | $28.75 |
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 | $4,438.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,219.17 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,048.46 |
| Weekly | $1,024.23 |
| Hourly | $25.61 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $53,260 salary, see how much house you can afford in Virginia at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Social Science Research Assistant salary in cities in Virginia
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $65,330 | 2,170 |
| Charlottesville, VA | $53,260 | 110 |
| Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC | $49,480 | 60 |
| Richmond, VA | $49,060 | 120 |
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 Virginia
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other | $67,240 | $32.33 |
| Biological Technician | $53,360 | $25.65 |
| Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health | $49,430 | $23.77 |
| Chemical Technician | $51,850 | $24.93 |
| Forensic Science Technician | $68,900 | $33.12 |
| Nuclear Technician | $98,930 | $47.56 |
| Forest and Conservation Technicians | $49,960 | $24.02 |
| Agricultural Technician | $41,210 | $19.81 |
| Food Science Technician | $65,360 | $31.42 |
| Hydrologic Technician | $52,190 | $25.09 |
| Geological Technicians, Except Hydrologic Technicians | $59,290 | $28.50 |
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $93,620 | $45.01 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $90,800 | $43.66 |
| Social Scientists and Related Workers, All Other | $140,670 | $67.63 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Virginia
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 Virginia?
The median salary for social science research assistants in Virginia is $53,260 a year, or $25.61 an hour. Pay ranges from $42,550 for the lowest-paid 10% to $83,760 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid social science research assistants make in Virginia?
The top 10% of social science research assistants in Virginia earn at least $83,760 a year. The top 25% earn $66,430 or more.
What is the starting pay for social science research assistants in Virginia?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $42,550 a year, and a quarter of social science research assistants earn $45,880 or less.
How many social science research assistants work in Virginia?
About 700 social science research assistants are employed in Virginia, not counting the self-employed.