Social Science Research Assistants Salary
The median pay for a social science research assistants in Oklahoma is $69,090/year ($33.22/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $40K at the entry level to $116K for experienced workers. Cost of living is below average (RPP 87.46), which stretches that salary to about $78,996 in buying power. Rent on a 2-bedroom averages $1,081/month, or 23.8% of estimated take-home pay.
Statewide average. Salary and cost of living vary significantly across Oklahoma. Jump to a metro for precise data:
So what does $69K get you in Oklahoma?
About social science research assistants
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What this looks like in Oklahoma
Oklahoma sits well above the national pay line for social science research assistants, local pay runs about 11% higher than the U.S. median of $62K. Housing is manageable: a 2-bedroom at the HUD median costs $1,081/month, 23.9% of take-home, well inside the 30% guideline. Regional Price Parity sits at 87.46 (national = 100), meaning everyday costs run about 13% cheaper here. Your dollar stretches further than the headline salary suggests. Combined with manageable housing costs, Oklahoma offers a genuinely strong financial position for social science research assistantss at the median.
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Oklahoma
Entry-level social science research assistants (10th percentile) start around $40K. Mid-career wages sit at $69K. Top earners bring in $116K or more, a $76K spread from bottom to top.
Social Science Research Assistants salary by metro in Oklahoma
1 metro area with BLS data, ranked by median pay
| Metro area | Median salary | vs. state | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oklahoma City | $73K | +5% | 70 |
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Frequently asked questions
Can a social science research assistant afford a 2BR apartment alone in Oklahoma?
Yes — at the median salary of $69K, rent takes 23.9% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $1,081/month. That stays under the 30% guideline most financial planners use.
What’s the entry-level salary for social science research assistants in Oklahoma?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new social science research assistants typically earn — is $40K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $2,408/month. At HUD’s $1,081/month FMR, rent would take 45% 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 Oklahoma?
Local pay is 11% above the national median — $69K here vs. $62K nationally.
How does Oklahoma compare to the national average for social science research assistants?
Oklahoma pays $69K median vs. the U.S. average of $62K — that’s +11%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 87.46), the purchasing-power equivalent is $79K — still ahead of the national median.
How much do social science research assistants make in Oklahoma?
The median is $69,090 a year, that works out to about $33 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $40,140, and experienced social science research assistants can clear $115,660. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $69K enough to live in Oklahoma?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $4,517/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,081/month, which eats 23.9% 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 Oklahoma?
Oklahoma has a Regional Price Parity of 87.46 (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 $78,996 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.