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Salary comparison

Social Science Research Assistants vs. Occupational Health and Safety Specialists: Who Earns More?

Occupational Health and Safety Specialistss out-earn Social Science Research Assistantss by $28K a year at the national median, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Social Science Research Assistantss land at $61,990 and Occupational Health and Safety Specialistss at $90,150. The education gap is real: social science research assistant programs typically require bachelor's degree, while occupational health and safety specialist programs require bachelor's degree. Top-paying state for Social Science Research Assistantss is Oklahoma ($69,090); for Occupational Health and Safety Specialistss it's District of Columbia ($111,530).

Social Science Research Assistants
Occupational Health and Safety Specialists
Median salary
$61,990
$90,150
Hourly rate
$29.81/hr
$43.34/hr
Entry level (10th %)
$38,090
$55,000
Senior level (90th %)
$102,070
$134,950
Education required
Bachelor's degree
Bachelor's degree
U.S. employment
30,640
140,610
Job growth (10-year)
N/A
N/A
Category
Science
Science
Top-paying state
Oklahoma
District of Columbia

Pay by state

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

State
Social Science Research Assistants
Occupational Health and Safety Specialists
New Hampshire
$65,690
$101,260
District of Columbia
$65,330
$111,530
Illinois
$64,890
$98,270
Massachusetts
$63,480
$103,970
Alaska
$62,230
$99,270
New York
$61,210
$95,720
California
$60,250
$102,840
Connecticut
$60,110
$96,110
Oregon
$56,770
$95,240
Rhode Island
$51,420
$101,740
Maine
$50,650
$97,640
Colorado
$50,430
$101,400
Washington
$50,420
$102,920
Minnesota
$44,920
$96,990
Nevada
$26,560
$94,360

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

Common questions

Who earns more, Social Science Research Assistantss or Occupational Health and Safety Specialistss?

Occupational Health and Safety Specialistss earn more nationally. The median is $61,990 for Social Science Research Assistantss versus $90,150 for Occupational Health and Safety Specialistss, a difference of $28K. Per BLS OEWS May 2025.

Which has better job growth, Social Science Research Assistants or Occupational Health and Safety Specialists?

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 Occupational Health and Safety Specialists?

Social Science Research Assistants typically requires bachelor's degree. Occupational Health and Safety Specialists requires bachelor's 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. Occupational Health and Safety Specialists pay differ by state?

The gap varies significantly by state. In New Hampshire, Social Science Research Assistantss earn $65,690 vs. $101,260 for Occupational Health and Safety Specialistss. See the state comparison table on this page for the full picture.

Full Social Science Research Assistants salary breakdownView →Full Occupational Health and Safety Specialists salary breakdownView →Best cities for Social Science Research Assistantss by take-home payExplore →Best cities for Occupational Health and Safety Specialistss by take-home payExplore →How to become a social science research assistantsGuide →How to become a occupational health and safety specialistsGuide →