Social Science Research Assistants

Median salary, education path, job outlook, and related careers — based on U.S. labor data.

What a Social Science Research Assistants does

Social science research assistants support researchers by conducting surveys, interviews, and data analysis to study human behavior, society, and social issues. They help gather and organize information that informs policy, business, and community decisions.

Education & path

The typical entry point is a bachelor's degree. About 4 years.

Estimated cost of that path: ~$40,000. Estimated payback: ~3 years. Estimates only — actual cost varies widely by school and financial aid; payback assumes ~20% of income applied.

Related careers

• Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists — $103,410/yr
• Occupational Health and Safety Specialists — $90,150/yr
• Environmental Restoration Planners — $82,220/yr
• Industrial Ecologists — $82,220/yr
• Climate Change Policy Analysts — $82,220/yr