Social Science Research Assistants Salary
The median pay for a social science research assistants in Montana is $49,860/year ($23.97/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $30K at the entry level to $70K for experienced workers. Adjusted for local prices (RPP 97), that's roughly $51,402 in purchasing power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $1,129/month, about 33.2% of take-home, which is tight.
Statewide average. This is an aggregate across all of Montana. BLS does not publish metro-level data for this occupation in this state.
So what does $50K get you in Montana?
About social science research assistants
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What this looks like in Montana
Pay for social science research assistants in Montana runs about 20% below the U.S. median of $62K. Rent runs $1,129/month for a 2-bedroom (HUD FMR), taking 33.6% of the median take-home. That's within the 30% rule, though not by much. Cost of living (RPP 97) is near the national average, so spending patterns here track the typical American budget fairly closely. Use the affordability calculator above to model your specific situation.
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Montana
Entry-level social science research assistants (10th percentile) start around $30K. Mid-career wages sit at $50K. Top earners bring in $70K or more, a $40K spread from bottom to top.
Compare to other states
Track social science research assistants salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Montana numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
Can a social science research assistant afford a 2BR apartment alone in Montana?
It’s a stretch — at the median salary of $50K, rent takes 33.6% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $1,129/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 Montana?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new social science research assistants typically earn — is $30K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $1,781/month. At HUD’s $1,129/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 Montana?
Local pay runs 20% below the national median — $50K here vs. $62K nationally.
How does Montana compare to the national average for social science research assistants?
Montana pays $50K median vs. the U.S. average of $62K — that’s -20%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 97), the purchasing-power equivalent is $51K — below the national median.
How much do social science research assistants make in Montana?
The median is $49,860 a year, that works out to about $24 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $29,680, and experienced social science research assistants can clear $69,570. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $50K enough to live in Montana?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $3,356/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,129/month, which eats 33.6% 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 Montana?
Montana has a Regional Price Parity of 97 (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 $51,402 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.