Social Science Research Assistants Salary
The median pay for a social science research assistants in Illinois is $64,890/year ($31.2/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $37K at the entry level to $117K for experienced workers. Cost of living is below average (RPP 93.85), which stretches that salary to about $69,142 in buying power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $1,407/month, about 33% of take-home, which is tight.
Statewide average. Salary and cost of living vary significantly across Illinois. Jump to a metro for precise data:
So what does $65K get you in Illinois?
About social science research assistants
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What this looks like in Illinois
Social science research assistants pay in Illinois tracks closely to the national median, $65K locally vs. $62K nationwide, a 5% difference. Rent runs $1,407/month for a 2-bedroom (HUD FMR), taking 33.2% of the median take-home. That's within the 30% rule, though not by much. Regional Price Parity sits at 93.85 (national = 100), meaning everyday costs run about 6% cheaper here. Your dollar stretches further than the headline salary suggests. Pay and costs are both near average, leaving limited margin for savings at the median wage.
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Illinois
Entry-level social science research assistants (10th percentile) start around $37K. Mid-career wages sit at $65K. Top earners bring in $117K or more, a $79K spread from bottom to top.
Social Science Research Assistants salary by metro in Illinois
1 metro area with BLS data, ranked by median pay
| Metro area | Median salary | vs. state | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin | $65K | +0% | 170 |
Compare to other states
Track social science research assistants salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Illinois numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
Can a social science research assistant afford a 2BR apartment alone in Illinois?
It’s a stretch — at the median salary of $65K, rent takes 33.2% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $1,407/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 Illinois?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new social science research assistants typically earn — is $37K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $2,248/month. At HUD’s $1,407/month FMR, rent would take 63% 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 Illinois?
Pay here is roughly in line with the national average — $65K locally vs. $62K nationally, a 5% difference.
How does Illinois compare to the national average for social science research assistants?
Illinois pays $65K median vs. the U.S. average of $62K — that’s +5%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 93.85), the purchasing-power equivalent is $69K — still ahead of the national median.
How much do social science research assistants make in Illinois?
The median is $64,890 a year, that works out to about $31 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $37,460, and experienced social science research assistants can clear $116,530. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $65K enough to live in Illinois?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $4,235/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,407/month, which eats 33.2% 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 Illinois?
Illinois has a Regional Price Parity of 93.85 (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 $69,142 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.