Social Science Research Assistants Salary
The median pay for a social science research assistants in Athens-Clarke County, GA is $52,890/year ($25.43/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $41K at the entry level to $83K for experienced workers. Cost of living is below average (RPP 93.34), which stretches that salary to about $56,664 in buying power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $1,331/month, about 38.3% of take-home, which is tight.
So what does $53K get you in Athens-Clarke County?
Groceries, utilities, transportation, and healthcare scaled from national averages by Athens-Clarke County’s Regional Price Parity (93.34). Rent from HUD Fair Market Rents. Taxes estimated for single filer, standard deduction. * Healthcare is the employee-paid share only (premiums + out-of-pocket). Actual costs vary by coverage type: employer-sponsored, ACA marketplace, or uninsured.
About social science research assistants
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What this looks like in Athens-Clarke County
Pay for social science research assistants in Athens-Clarke County runs about 15% below the U.S. median of $62K. The catch: housing math doesn't keep up. A 2-bedroom at the HUD median rents for $1,331/month, which is 38% of the median worker's take-home, past the 30% guideline most planners use. Regional Price Parity sits at 93.34 (national = 100), meaning everyday costs run about 7% cheaper here. Your dollar stretches further than the headline salary suggests. That combination, below-market pay with high housing costs, makes this a financially demanding market for social science research assistantss.
Compared to nearby metros
Median pay for social science research assistants in metros near Athens-Clarke County, adjusted for local cost of living.
| Metro | Median pay | COL-adjusted |
|---|---|---|
| Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell | $67K | $67K |
| Augusta-Richmond County | $51K | $56K |
| Raleigh-Cary | $65K | $67K |
| Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach | $51K | $44K |
COL-adjusted = median salary ÷ (BEA Regional Price Parity ÷ 100). Expresses purchasing power in national-average dollars.
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Athens-Clarke County, GA
Entry-level social science research assistants (10th percentile) start around $41K. Mid-career wages sit at $53K. Top earners bring in $83K or more, a $42K spread from bottom to top.
Social Science Research Assistants pay across states
Median income ranked highest to lowest, compared to the national figure
View Social Science Research Assistants salary in all states
| State | Median salary | vs. national | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oklahoma | $69K | +11% | 100 |
| Delaware | $68K | +10% | 40 |
| Kansas | $68K | +9% | 170 |
| Georgia | $67K | +7% | 1,840 |
| Kentucky | $66K | +7% | 1,190 |
| Missouri | $66K | +6% | 750 |
| New Hampshire | $66K | +6% | 70 |
| Maryland | $66K | +6% | 700 |
| District of Columbia | $65K | +5% | 1,560 |
| Illinois | $65K | +5% | 250 |
| South Carolina | $64K | +4% | 500 |
| North Carolina | $64K | +3% | 2,930 |
| Massachusetts | $63K | +2% | N/A |
| New Jersey | $63K | +1% | 370 |
| Idaho | $63K | +1% | N/A |
| Alaska | $62K | +0% | 40 |
| Arizona | $62K | -1% | 1,020 |
| New York | $61K | -1% | 3,040 |
| California | $60K | -3% | 5,300 |
| Michigan | $60K | -3% | 750 |
| Connecticut | $60K | -3% | 50 |
| Texas | $58K | -6% | 1,180 |
| Indiana | $57K | -8% | 210 |
| Oregon | $57K | -8% | 220 |
| Nebraska | $56K | -9% | 230 |
| Pennsylvania | $55K | -12% | 860 |
| Virginia | $53K | -14% | 700 |
| Alabama | $53K | -14% | N/A |
| Louisiana | $53K | -15% | 340 |
| Rhode Island | $51K | -17% | 220 |
| West Virginia | $51K | -18% | 550 |
| Florida | $51K | -18% | 1,130 |
| Maine | $51K | -18% | 120 |
| New Mexico | $51K | -18% | 50 |
| Colorado | $50K | -19% | 100 |
| Washington | $50K | -19% | 450 |
| Ohio | $50K | -19% | 240 |
| Montana | $50K | -20% | 30 |
| Wisconsin | $48K | -22% | 110 |
| Vermont | $48K | -23% | 40 |
| Tennessee | $46K | -25% | 140 |
| Minnesota | $45K | -28% | 300 |
| South Dakota | $45K | -28% | 40 |
| Iowa | $41K | -34% | 140 |
| Nevada | $27K | -57% | N/A |
Showing 1–10 of 45 states with published data
BLS does not publish data for every state when sample sizes are too small
Track social science research assistants salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Athens-Clarke County numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
Can a social science research assistant afford a 2BR apartment alone in Athens-Clarke County?
It’s a stretch — at the median salary of $53K, rent takes 38% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $1,331/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 Athens-Clarke County?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new social science research assistants typically earn — is $41K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $2,473/month. At HUD’s $1,331/month FMR, rent would take 54% 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 Athens-Clarke County?
Local pay runs 15% below the national median — $53K here vs. $62K nationally. Cost of living is 7% below the national average, which narrows that gap in real purchasing power.
How does Athens-Clarke County compare to the national average for social science research assistants?
Athens-Clarke County pays $53K median vs. the U.S. average of $62K — that’s -15%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 93.34), the purchasing-power equivalent is $57K — below the national median.
How much do social science research assistants make in Athens-Clarke County, GA?
The median is $52,890 a year, that works out to about $25 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $41,220, and experienced social science research assistants can clear $82,930. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $53K enough to live in Athens-Clarke County?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $3,507/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,331/month, which eats 38% 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 Athens-Clarke County?
Athens-Clarke County has a Regional Price Parity of 93.34 (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 $56,664 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.