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Salary comparison

Social Science Research Assistants vs. Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists: Who Earns More?

Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologistss out-earn Social Science Research Assistantss by $41K a year at the national median, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Social Science Research Assistantss land at $61,990 and Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologistss at $103,410. The education gap is real: social science research assistant programs typically require bachelor's degree, while medical scientists, except epidemiologist programs require doctoral or professional degree. Top-paying state for Social Science Research Assistantss is Oklahoma ($69,090); for Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologistss it's California ($136,990).

Social Science Research Assistants
Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists
Median salary
$61,990
$103,410
Hourly rate
$29.81/hr
$49.72/hr
Entry level (10th %)
$38,090
$64,800
Senior level (90th %)
$102,070
$177,780
Education required
Bachelor's degree
Doctoral or professional degree
U.S. employment
30,640
172,340
Job growth (10-year)
N/A
N/A
Category
Science
Science
Top-paying state
Oklahoma
California

Pay by state

States where both occupations have BLS data, sorted by Social Science Research Assistants median pay.

State
Social Science Research Assistants
Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists
Missouri
$65,940
$102,540
Maryland
$65,550
$106,000
District of Columbia
$65,330
$101,940
North Carolina
$63,710
$102,980
Massachusetts
$63,480
$128,210
New Jersey
$62,760
$129,280
Alaska
$62,230
$104,930
Arizona
$61,680
$116,820
California
$60,250
$136,990
Connecticut
$60,110
$116,990
Oregon
$56,770
$111,030
Rhode Island
$51,420
$103,370
Washington
$50,420
$105,680
Montana
$49,860
$101,950
Tennessee
$46,410
$102,720

Source: BLS OEWS May 2025. Highlighted value is higher in each row.

Common questions

Who earns more, Social Science Research Assistantss or Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologistss?

Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologistss earn more nationally. The median is $61,990 for Social Science Research Assistantss versus $103,410 for Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologistss, a difference of $41K. Per BLS OEWS May 2025.

Which has better job growth, Social Science Research Assistants or Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists?

BLS Employment Projections data is not available for one or both occupations. Check the individual career pages for current outlook figures.

Which requires more education, Social Science Research Assistants or Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists?

Social Science Research Assistants typically requires bachelor's degree. Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists requires doctoral or professional degree. Education requirements vary by employer and state licensing board.

Where do Social Science Research Assistantss get paid the most?

Oklahoma is the top-paying state for Social Science Research Assistantss at $69,090/year, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Major metro areas within that state typically pay even more than the state average.

How does Social Science Research Assistants vs. Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists pay differ by state?

The gap varies significantly by state. In Missouri, Social Science Research Assistantss earn $65,940 vs. $102,540 for Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologistss. See the state comparison table on this page for the full picture.

Full Social Science Research Assistants salary breakdownView →Full Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists salary breakdownView →Best cities for Social Science Research Assistantss by take-home payExplore →Best cities for Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologistss by take-home payExplore →How to become a social science research assistantsGuide →How to become a medical scientists, except epidemiologistsGuide →