Social Science Research Assistants Salary
The median pay for a social science research assistants in Delaware is $68,230/year ($32.8/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $40K at the entry level to $97K for experienced workers. Adjusted for local prices (RPP 97.51), that's roughly $69,972 in purchasing power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $1,448/month, about 32.5% of take-home, which is tight.
Statewide average. This is an aggregate across all of Delaware. BLS does not publish metro-level data for this occupation in this state.
So what does $68K get you in Delaware?
About social science research assistants
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What this looks like in Delaware
Social science research assistants pay in Delaware tracks closely to the national median, $68K locally vs. $62K nationwide, a 10% difference. Rent runs $1,448/month for a 2-bedroom (HUD FMR), taking 32.7% of the median take-home. That's within the 30% rule, though not by much. Cost of living (RPP 97.51) is near the national average, so spending patterns here track the typical American budget fairly closely. Pay and costs are both near average, leaving limited margin for savings at the median wage.
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Delaware
Entry-level social science research assistants (10th percentile) start around $40K. Mid-career wages sit at $68K. Top earners bring in $97K or more, a $56K 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 Delaware numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
Can a social science research assistant afford a 2BR apartment alone in Delaware?
It’s a stretch — at the median salary of $68K, rent takes 32.7% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $1,448/month. The 30% guideline puts the comfortable ceiling at roughly $1,300/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 Delaware?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new social science research assistants typically earn — is $40K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $2,424/month. At HUD’s $1,448/month FMR, rent would take 60% 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 Delaware?
Pay here is roughly in line with the national average — $68K locally vs. $62K nationally, a 10% difference.
How does Delaware compare to the national average for social science research assistants?
Delaware pays $68K median vs. the U.S. average of $62K — that’s +10%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 97.51), the purchasing-power equivalent is $70K — still ahead of the national median.
How much do social science research assistants make in Delaware?
The median is $68,230 a year, that works out to about $33 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $40,400, and experienced social science research assistants can clear $96,770. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $68K enough to live in Delaware?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $4,428/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,448/month, which eats 32.7% 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 Delaware?
Delaware has a Regional Price Parity of 97.51 (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 $69,972 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.