Social Science Research Assistants Salary
The median pay for a social science research assistants in New Mexico is $50,640/year ($24.34/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $40K at the entry level to $103K for experienced workers. Cost of living is below average (RPP 93.06), which stretches that salary to about $54,417 in buying power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $1,119/month, about 33.6% of take-home, which is tight.
Statewide average. This is an aggregate across all of New Mexico. BLS does not publish metro-level data for this occupation in this state.
So what does $51K get you in New Mexico?
About social science research assistants
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What this looks like in New Mexico
Pay for social science research assistants in New Mexico runs about 18% below the U.S. median of $62K. Rent runs $1,119/month for a 2-bedroom (HUD FMR), taking 32.6% of the median take-home. That's within the 30% rule, though not by much. Regional Price Parity sits at 93.06 (national = 100), meaning everyday costs run about 7% cheaper here. Your dollar stretches further than the headline salary suggests. Use the affordability calculator above to model your specific situation.
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, New Mexico
Entry-level social science research assistants (10th percentile) start around $40K. Mid-career wages sit at $51K. Top earners bring in $103K or more, a $63K 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 New Mexico numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
Can a social science research assistant afford a 2BR apartment alone in New Mexico?
It’s a stretch — at the median salary of $51K, rent takes 32.6% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $1,119/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 New Mexico?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new social science research assistants typically earn — is $40K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $2,415/month. At HUD’s $1,119/month FMR, rent would take 46% 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 New Mexico?
Local pay runs 18% below the national median — $51K here vs. $62K nationally. Cost of living is 7% below the national average, which narrows that gap in real purchasing power.
How does New Mexico compare to the national average for social science research assistants?
New Mexico pays $51K median vs. the U.S. average of $62K — that’s -18%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 93.06), the purchasing-power equivalent is $54K — below the national median.
How much do social science research assistants make in New Mexico?
The median is $50,640 a year, that works out to about $24 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $40,250, and experienced social science research assistants can clear $102,950. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $51K enough to live in New Mexico?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $3,437/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,119/month, which eats 32.6% 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 New Mexico?
New Mexico has a Regional Price Parity of 93.06 (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 $54,417 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.