Social Science Research Assistants Salary
The median pay for a social science research assistants in Washington is $50,420/year ($24.24/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $46K at the entry level to $76K for experienced workers. Adjusted for local prices (RPP 102.01), that's roughly $49,427 in purchasing power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $1,830/month, about 52.3% of take-home, which is tight.
Statewide average. Salary and cost of living vary significantly across Washington. Jump to a metro for precise data:
So what does $50K get you in Washington?
About social science research assistants
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What this looks like in Washington
Pay for social science research assistants in Washington runs about 19% below the U.S. median of $62K. The catch: housing math doesn't keep up. A 2-bedroom at the HUD median rents for $1,830/month, which is 51.6% of the median worker's take-home, past the 30% guideline most planners use. Cost of living (RPP 102.01) is near the national average, so spending patterns here track the typical American budget fairly closely. That combination, below-market pay with high housing costs, makes this a financially demanding market for social science research assistantss.
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Washington
Entry-level social science research assistants (10th percentile) start around $46K. Mid-career wages sit at $50K. Top earners bring in $76K or more, a $30K spread from bottom to top.
Social Science Research Assistants salary by metro in Washington
1 metro area with BLS data, ranked by median pay
| Metro area | Median salary | vs. state | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue | $50K | -0% | 280 |
Compare to other states
Track social science research assistants salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Washington numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
Can a social science research assistant afford a 2BR apartment alone in Washington?
It’s a stretch — at the median salary of $50K, rent takes 51.6% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $1,830/month. The 30% guideline puts the comfortable ceiling at roughly $1,100/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 Washington?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new social science research assistants typically earn — is $46K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $2,732/month. At HUD’s $1,830/month FMR, rent would take 67% 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 Washington?
Local pay runs 19% below the national median — $50K here vs. $62K nationally.
How does Washington compare to the national average for social science research assistants?
Washington pays $50K median vs. the U.S. average of $62K — that’s -19%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 102.01), the purchasing-power equivalent is $49K — below the national median.
How much do social science research assistants make in Washington?
The median is $50,420 a year, that works out to about $24 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $45,530, and experienced social science research assistants can clear $75,720. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $50K enough to live in Washington?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $3,546/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,830/month, which eats 51.6% 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 Washington?
Washington has a Regional Price Parity of 102.01 (100 is the national average). Prices are above average here, so your dollar buys less than the same salary would in a cheaper metro. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median social science research assistants salary is worth about $49,427 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.