Social Science Research Assistant salary in West Virginia
Social Science Research Assistants in West Virginia earn a median of $51,140 a year ($24.59 an hour), based on BLS data for 550 workers.
Pay ranges from $30,330 for the lowest-paid 10% to $145,770 for the top 10%. That is 18% lower than the national median of $61,990. West Virginia ranks 31st of 45 states for social science research assistants pay. There are 0.79 social science research assistants per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 4.0× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $63,270, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for social science research assistants in West Virginia
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $30,330 | $14.58 |
| 25th percentile | $34,480 | $16.58 |
| Median | $51,140 | $24.59 |
| 75th percentile | $72,410 | $34.81 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $145,770 | $70.08 |
| Average (mean) | $63,270 | $30.42 |
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 | $4,261.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,130.83 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,966.92 |
| Weekly | $983.46 |
| Hourly | $24.59 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $51,140 salary, see how much house you can afford in West Virginia at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Social Science Research Assistant salary in cities in West Virginia
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $65,330 | 2,170 |
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 West Virginia
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health | $52,590 | $25.28 |
| Chemical Technician | $58,750 | $28.24 |
| Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other | $59,750 | $28.73 |
| Forensic Science Technician | $63,330 | $30.45 |
| Biological Technician | $51,440 | $24.73 |
| Forest and Conservation Technicians | $54,600 | $26.25 |
| Geological Technicians, Except Hydrologic Technicians | $69,350 | $33.34 |
| Hydrologic Technician | $48,230 | $23.19 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $86,560 | $41.62 |
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologists | $77,040 | $37.04 |
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $82,690 | $39.76 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Technicians | $81,470 | $39.17 |
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $82,100 | $39.47 |
| School Psychologist | $75,220 | $36.16 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in West 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 West Virginia?
The median salary for social science research assistants in West Virginia is $51,140 a year, or $24.59 an hour. Pay ranges from $30,330 for the lowest-paid 10% to $145,770 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid social science research assistants make in West Virginia?
The top 10% of social science research assistants in West Virginia earn at least $145,770 a year. The top 25% earn $72,410 or more.
What is the starting pay for social science research assistants in West Virginia?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $30,330 a year, and a quarter of social science research assistants earn $34,480 or less.
How many social science research assistants work in West Virginia?
About 550 social science research assistants are employed in West Virginia, not counting the self-employed.