Social Science Research Assistants Salary
The median pay for a social science research assistants in Iowa is $40,940/year ($19.68/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $22K at the entry level to $58K for experienced workers. Cost of living is below average (RPP 88.86), which stretches that salary to about $46,072 in buying power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $1,064/month, about 38.1% of take-home, which is tight.
Statewide average. Salary and cost of living vary significantly across Iowa. Jump to a metro for precise data:
So what does $41K get you in Iowa?
About social science research assistants
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What this looks like in Iowa
Pay for social science research assistants in Iowa runs about 34% below the U.S. median of $62K. The catch: housing math doesn't keep up. A 2-bedroom at the HUD median rents for $1,064/month, which is 38.7% of the median worker's take-home, past the 30% guideline most planners use. Regional Price Parity sits at 88.86 (national = 100), meaning everyday costs run about 11% 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.
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Iowa
Entry-level social science research assistants (10th percentile) start around $22K. Mid-career wages sit at $41K. Top earners bring in $58K or more, a $36K spread from bottom to top.
Social Science Research Assistants salary by metro in Iowa
1 metro area with BLS data, ranked by median pay
| Metro area | Median salary | vs. state | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Des Moines-West Des Moines | $34K | -17% | 40 |
Compare to other states
Track social science research assistants salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Iowa numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
Can a social science research assistant afford a 2BR apartment alone in Iowa?
It’s a stretch — at the median salary of $41K, rent takes 38.7% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $1,064/month. The 30% guideline puts the comfortable ceiling at roughly $800/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 Iowa?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new social science research assistants typically earn — is $22K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $1,336/month. At HUD’s $1,064/month FMR, rent would take 80% 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 Iowa?
Local pay runs 34% below the national median — $41K here vs. $62K nationally. Cost of living is 11% below the national average, which narrows that gap in real purchasing power.
How does Iowa compare to the national average for social science research assistants?
Iowa pays $41K median vs. the U.S. average of $62K — that’s -34%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 88.86), the purchasing-power equivalent is $46K — below the national median.
How much do social science research assistants make in Iowa?
The median is $40,940 a year, that works out to about $20 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $22,260, and experienced social science research assistants can clear $58,470. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $41K enough to live in Iowa?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $2,752/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,064/month, which eats 38.7% 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 Iowa?
Iowa has a Regional Price Parity of 88.86 (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 $46,072 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.