Social Science Research Assistant salary in Wilmington, NC
Social Science Research Assistants in the Wilmington, NC metro area earn a median of $46,480 a year ($22.35 an hour), based on BLS data for 30 workers.
Pay ranges from $41,520 for the lowest-paid 10% to $65,530 for the top 10%. That is 25% lower than the national median of $61,990. Pay here is 27% lower than the North Carolina statewide median of $63,710. There are 0.18 social science research assistants per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $51,330, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for social science research assistants in Wilmington, NC
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $41,520 | $19.96 |
| 25th percentile | $46,200 | $22.21 |
| Median | $46,480 | $22.35 |
| 75th percentile | $61,820 | $29.72 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $65,530 | $31.50 |
| Average (mean) | $51,330 | $24.68 |
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 | $3,873.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,936.67 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,787.69 |
| Weekly | $893.85 |
| Hourly | $22.35 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $46,480 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 |
| Raleigh-Cary, NC | $65,330 | 540 |
| Greensboro-High Point, NC | $64,490 | 180 |
| Greenville, NC | $53,140 | 150 |
| Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC | $49,480 | 60 |
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 Wilmington, NC
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Chemical Technician | $61,200 | $29.42 |
| Biological Technician | $62,960 | $30.27 |
| Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health | $46,830 | $22.51 |
| Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other | $63,520 | $30.54 |
| Chemist | $78,130 | $37.56 |
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $99,070 | $47.63 |
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $65,360 | $31.42 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $85,230 | $40.97 |
| Biological Scientists, All Other | $97,310 | $46.78 |
| Urban and Regional Planners | $68,050 | $32.72 |
| School Psychologist | $65,750 | $31.61 |
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologists | $76,700 | $36.88 |
| Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers | $102,990 | $49.51 |
| Microbiologist | $80,470 | $38.69 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Wilmington, 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 Wilmington, NC?
The median salary for social science research assistants in the Wilmington, NC metro area is $46,480 a year, or $22.35 an hour. Pay ranges from $41,520 for the lowest-paid 10% to $65,530 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid social science research assistants make in Wilmington, NC?
The top 10% of social science research assistants in the Wilmington, NC metro area earn at least $65,530 a year. The top 25% earn $61,820 or more.
What is the starting pay for social science research assistants in Wilmington, NC?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $41,520 a year, and a quarter of social science research assistants earn $46,200 or less.
How many social science research assistants work in Wilmington, NC?
About 30 social science research assistants are employed in the Wilmington, NC metro area, not counting the self-employed.