Social Science Research Assistants Salary
The median pay for a social science research assistants in Alabama is $53,080/year ($25.52/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $52K at the entry level to $57K for experienced workers. Cost of living is below average (RPP 88.36), which stretches that salary to about $60,072 in buying power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $1,085/month, about 31.1% of take-home, which is tight.
Statewide average. This is an aggregate across all of Alabama. BLS does not publish metro-level data for this occupation in this state.
So what does $53K get you in Alabama?
About social science research assistants
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What this looks like in Alabama
Pay for social science research assistants in Alabama runs about 14% below the U.S. median of $62K. Rent runs $1,085/month for a 2-bedroom (HUD FMR), taking 30.9% of the median take-home. That's within the 30% rule, though not by much. Regional Price Parity sits at 88.36 (national = 100), meaning everyday costs run about 12% cheaper here. Your dollar stretches further than the headline salary suggests. Use the affordability calculator above to model your specific situation.
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Alabama
Entry-level social science research assistants (10th percentile) start around $52K. Mid-career wages sit at $53K. Top earners bring in $57K or more, a $5K spread from bottom to top.
Compare to other states
Track social science research assistants salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Alabama numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
Can a social science research assistant afford a 2BR apartment alone in Alabama?
It’s a stretch — at the median salary of $53K, rent takes 30.9% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $1,085/month. The 30% guideline puts the comfortable ceiling at roughly $1,100/month in rent — so roommates or a 1-bedroom would ease the math significantly.
What’s the entry-level salary for social science research assistants in Alabama?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new social science research assistants typically earn — is $52K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $3,146/month. At HUD’s $1,085/month FMR, rent would take 34% of that take-home — above the 30% guideline, so a 1-bedroom or shared housing is likely necessary starting out.
Is social science research assistant a high-paying job in Alabama?
Local pay runs 14% below the national median — $53K here vs. $62K nationally. Cost of living is 12% below the national average, which narrows that gap in real purchasing power.
How does Alabama compare to the national average for social science research assistants?
Alabama pays $53K median vs. the U.S. average of $62K — that’s -14%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 88.36), the purchasing-power equivalent is $60K — below the national median.
How much do social science research assistants make in Alabama?
The median is $53,080 a year, that works out to about $26 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $52,430, and experienced social science research assistants can clear $57,160. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $53K enough to live in Alabama?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $3,517/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,085/month, which eats 30.9% of your paycheck. That's above the 30% rule of thumb, housing will be a stretch at the median salary, though you can manage with roommates or a smaller place.
How far does a social science research assistants salary go in Alabama?
Alabama has a Regional Price Parity of 88.36 (100 is the national average). That's below average, your money stretches further here than the raw salary number suggests. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median social science research assistants salary is worth about $60,072 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do social science research assistants get paid the most?
The table above ranks every state by median pay for this role. Keep in mind that the highest-paying states tend to have the highest costs of living, so the top salary doesn't always mean the most money in your pocket.