Social Science Research Assistants Salary
The median pay for a social science research assistants in Kentucky is $66,390/year ($31.92/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $45K at the entry level to $107K for experienced workers. Cost of living is below average (RPP 90.23), which stretches that salary to about $73,579 in buying power. Rent on a 2-bedroom averages $1,110/month, or 25.4% of estimated take-home pay.
Statewide average. Salary and cost of living vary significantly across Kentucky. Jump to a metro for precise data:
So what does $66K get you in Kentucky?
About social science research assistants
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What this looks like in Kentucky
Social science research assistants pay in Kentucky tracks closely to the national median, $66K locally vs. $62K nationwide, a 7% difference. Rent runs $1,110/month for a 2-bedroom (HUD FMR), taking 25.4% of the median take-home. That's within the 30% rule, though not by much. Regional Price Parity sits at 90.23 (national = 100), meaning everyday costs run about 10% 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, Kentucky
Entry-level social science research assistants (10th percentile) start around $45K. Mid-career wages sit at $66K. Top earners bring in $107K or more, a $62K spread from bottom to top.
Social Science Research Assistants salary by metro in Kentucky
3 metro areas with BLS data, ranked by median pay
| Metro area | Median salary | vs. state | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bowling Green | $85K | +28% | 100 |
| Louisville/Jefferson County | $83K | +24% | 570 |
| Lexington-Fayette | $52K | -22% | 370 |
Compare to other states
Track social science research assistants salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Kentucky numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
Can a social science research assistant afford a 2BR apartment alone in Kentucky?
Yes — at the median salary of $66K, rent takes 25.4% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $1,110/month. That stays under the 30% guideline most financial planners use.
What’s the entry-level salary for social science research assistants in Kentucky?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new social science research assistants typically earn — is $45K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $2,703/month. At HUD’s $1,110/month FMR, rent would take 41% 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 Kentucky?
Pay here is roughly in line with the national average — $66K locally vs. $62K nationally, a 7% difference.
How does Kentucky compare to the national average for social science research assistants?
Kentucky pays $66K median vs. the U.S. average of $62K — that’s +7%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 90.23), the purchasing-power equivalent is $74K — still ahead of the national median.
How much do social science research assistants make in Kentucky?
The median is $66,390 a year, that works out to about $32 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $45,050, and experienced social science research assistants can clear $106,590. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $66K enough to live in Kentucky?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $4,370/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,110/month, which eats 25.4% of your paycheck. That's under the 30% guideline most financial planners use, so the numbers work.
How far does a social science research assistants salary go in Kentucky?
Kentucky has a Regional Price Parity of 90.23 (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 $73,579 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.