Social Science Research Assistants Salary
The median pay for a social science research assistants in Michigan is $60,210/year ($28.95/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $42K at the entry level to $83K for experienced workers. Cost of living is below average (RPP 93.89), which stretches that salary to about $64,128 in buying power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $1,272/month, about 32.2% of take-home, which is tight.
Statewide average. Salary and cost of living vary significantly across Michigan. Jump to a metro for precise data:
So what does $60K get you in Michigan?
About social science research assistants
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What this looks like in Michigan
Social science research assistants pay in Michigan tracks closely to the national median, $60K locally vs. $62K nationwide, a 3% difference. Rent runs $1,272/month for a 2-bedroom (HUD FMR), taking 31.9% of the median take-home. That's within the 30% rule, though not by much. Regional Price Parity sits at 93.89 (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, Michigan
Entry-level social science research assistants (10th percentile) start around $42K. Mid-career wages sit at $60K. Top earners bring in $83K or more, a $41K spread from bottom to top.
Social Science Research Assistants salary by metro in Michigan
3 metro areas with BLS data, ranked by median pay
| Metro area | Median salary | vs. state | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lansing-East Lansing | $64K | +7% | 370 |
| Detroit-Warren-Dearborn | $63K | +4% | 100 |
| Ann Arbor | $43K | -28% | 190 |
Compare to other states
Track social science research assistants salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Michigan numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
Can a social science research assistant afford a 2BR apartment alone in Michigan?
It’s a stretch — at the median salary of $60K, rent takes 31.9% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $1,272/month. The 30% guideline puts the comfortable ceiling at roughly $1,200/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 Michigan?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new social science research assistants typically earn — is $42K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $2,518/month. At HUD’s $1,272/month FMR, rent would take 51% 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 Michigan?
Pay here is roughly in line with the national average — $60K locally vs. $62K nationally, a 3% difference.
How does Michigan compare to the national average for social science research assistants?
Michigan pays $60K median vs. the U.S. average of $62K — that’s -3%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 93.89), the purchasing-power equivalent is $64K — still ahead of the national median.
How much do social science research assistants make in Michigan?
The median is $60,210 a year, that works out to about $29 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $41,970, and experienced social science research assistants can clear $82,870. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $60K enough to live in Michigan?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $3,988/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,272/month, which eats 31.9% 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 Michigan?
Michigan has a Regional Price Parity of 93.89 (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 $64,128 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.