Social Science Research Assistants Salary
The median pay for a social science research assistants in North Carolina is $63,710/year ($30.63/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $50K at the entry level to $82K for experienced workers. Cost of living is below average (RPP 92.66), which stretches that salary to about $68,757 in buying power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $1,284/month, about 30.1% of take-home, which is tight.
Statewide average. Salary and cost of living vary significantly across North Carolina. Jump to a metro for precise data:
So what does $64K get you in North Carolina?
About social science research assistants
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What this looks like in North Carolina
Social science research assistants pay in North Carolina tracks closely to the national median, $64K locally vs. $62K nationwide, a 3% difference. Rent runs $1,284/month for a 2-bedroom (HUD FMR), taking 30.6% of the median take-home. That's within the 30% rule, though not by much. Regional Price Parity sits at 92.66 (national = 100), meaning everyday costs run about 7% 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, North Carolina
Entry-level social science research assistants (10th percentile) start around $50K. Mid-career wages sit at $64K. Top earners bring in $82K or more, a $32K spread from bottom to top.
Social Science Research Assistants salary by metro in North Carolina
5 metro areas with BLS data, ranked by median pay
| Metro area | Median salary | vs. state | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia | $66K | +3% | 100 |
| Raleigh-Cary | $65K | +3% | 540 |
| Greensboro-High Point | $64K | +1% | 180 |
| Greenville | $53K | -17% | 150 |
| Wilmington | $46K | -27% | 30 |
Compare to other states
Track social science research assistants salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when North Carolina numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
Can a social science research assistant afford a 2BR apartment alone in North Carolina?
It’s a stretch — at the median salary of $64K, rent takes 30.6% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $1,284/month. The 30% guideline puts the comfortable ceiling at roughly $1,300/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 North Carolina?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new social science research assistants typically earn — is $50K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $2,999/month. At HUD’s $1,284/month FMR, rent would take 43% 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 North Carolina?
Pay here is roughly in line with the national average — $64K locally vs. $62K nationally, a 3% difference.
How does North Carolina compare to the national average for social science research assistants?
North Carolina pays $64K median vs. the U.S. average of $62K — that’s +3%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 92.66), the purchasing-power equivalent is $69K — still ahead of the national median.
How much do social science research assistants make in North Carolina?
The median is $63,710 a year, that works out to about $31 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $49,980, and experienced social science research assistants can clear $81,650. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $64K enough to live in North Carolina?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $4,195/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,284/month, which eats 30.6% 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 North Carolina?
North Carolina has a Regional Price Parity of 92.66 (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 $68,757 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.