Social Science Research Assistants Salary
The median pay for a social science research assistants in Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO is $50,430/year ($24.24/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $43K at the entry level to $64K for experienced workers.
So what does $50K get you in Denver-Aurora-Centennial?
About social science research assistants
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Compared to nearby metros
Median pay for social science research assistants in metros near Denver-Aurora-Centennial, adjusted for local cost of living.
| Metro | Median pay | COL-adjusted |
|---|---|---|
| Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler | $64K | $62K |
| Tucson | $62K | $64K |
| Omaha | $47K | $51K |
| Oklahoma City | $73K | $80K |
COL-adjusted = median salary ÷ (BEA Regional Price Parity ÷ 100). Expresses purchasing power in national-average dollars.
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO
Entry-level social science research assistants (10th percentile) start around $43K. Mid-career wages sit at $50K. Top earners bring in $64K or more, a $21K 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
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 Denver-Aurora-Centennial numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
Can a social science research assistant afford a 2BR apartment alone in Denver-Aurora-Centennial?
It’s a stretch — at the median salary of $50K, rent takes 60.8% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $2,044/month. The 30% guideline puts the comfortable ceiling at roughly $1,000/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 Denver-Aurora-Centennial?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new social science research assistants typically earn — is $43K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $2,555/month.
Is social science research assistant a high-paying job in Denver-Aurora-Centennial?
Local pay runs 19% below the national median — $50K here vs. $62K nationally.
How does Denver-Aurora-Centennial compare to the national average for social science research assistants?
Denver-Aurora-Centennial pays $50K median vs. the U.S. average of $62K — that’s -19%.
How much do social science research assistants make in Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO?
The median is $50,430 a year, that works out to about $24 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $42,590, and experienced social science research assistants can clear $63,610. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $50K enough to live in Denver-Aurora-Centennial?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $3,362/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $2,044/month, which eats 60.8% 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 Denver-Aurora-Centennial?
Denver-Aurora-Centennial has a Regional Price Parity of 100 (100 is the national average). That's right at the national average. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median social science research assistants salary is worth about $50,430 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.