Social Science Research Assistants pay range in Riverside
New workers and the lowest-paid 10% earn about $36,710 a year or less, while the top 10% make $91,250 or more. The middle half of social science research assistants in Riverside earn between $36,710 and $58,790.
- $37K10th
- $37K25th
- $37KMedian
- $59K75th
- $91K90th
median average · bar = middle 50% of workers · how to read it
| Pay level | Per year | Per month | Per hour* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average | $53,230 | $4,436 | $25.59 |
| Median | $36,710 | $3,059 | $17.65 |
| Entry level (25th percentile) | $36,710 | $3,059 | $17.65 |
| Experienced (75th percentile) | $58,790 | $4,899 | $28.26 |
*Hourly figures assume 2,080 paid hours a year. Hourly to annual salary.
Social Science Research Assistants pay in Riverside vs. California and the U.S.
Social science research assistants in Riverside earn 24% less than the California average ($70,260) and 20% less than the U.S. average ($66,140). At the median the gap is -41% against the U.S. median of $61,990.
| Area | Average | Median | 10th pct. | 90th pct. | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Riverside | $53,230 | $36,710 | $36,710 | $91,250 | 100 |
| California | $70,260 | $60,250 | $38,060 | $117,070 | 5,300 |
| United States | $66,140 | $61,990 | $38,090 | $102,070 | 30,640 |
State and U.S. rows: BLS statewide and national estimates, May 2025, which include rural areas.
Social Science Research Assistants salary after taxes in Riverside
On the average salary of $53,230, a single filer in Riverside takes home about $43,564 a year, or $3,630 a month and $1,676 every two weeks. Taxes take 18% of gross pay.
Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and state income tax (2025 rules). California State Disability Insurance (1.3% of wages, paid by employees) is not included.
Is Riverside a good place for social science research assistants? Pay vs. cost of living
Prices in the Riverside area are 6% above the U.S. average (BEA price parity 106.4), so the average $53,230 buys what about $50,008 would buy in a typical U.S. metro. This job pays 0.8 times the median wage of all jobs in Riverside ($48,400). A typical home costs $585,378, or 11.0 years of this average salary before tax.
Social Science Research Assistants salary in other California cities
Riverside ranks 6th of 7 California metro areas for this job; San Francisco pays the most ($86,880).
- San Francisco$86,880
- San Jose$80,080
- San Diego$72,190
- Los Angeles$63,990
- Sacramento$63,150
- Riverside$53,230
- Chico$41,790
All Social Science Research Assistants salaries in California
Highest-paying cities for social science research assistants
Atlanta, GA pays this job the most of the metro areas we cover ($90,820).
- Atlanta, GA$90,820
- Bowling Green, KY$88,200
- San Francisco, CA$86,880
- Oklahoma City, OK$80,710
- Flagstaff, AZ$80,680
Does this match what you are paid?
Anonymous, no account. Results update as visitors answer.
Share your pay anonymously
Social Science Research Assistants salary in Riverside: questions
How much do social science research assistants make an hour in Riverside?
$25.59 an hour on average, and $17.65 at the median (BLS, May 2025).
What is the entry-level social science research assistants salary in Riverside?
The lowest-paid 10% earn about $36,710 a year and the 25th percentile is $36,710, a fair guide to starting pay.
What is the social science research assistants take-home pay in Riverside?
About $43,564 a year ($3,630 a month) for a single filer on the average salary of $53,230. California State Disability Insurance (1.3% of wages, paid by employees) is not included.
Do social science research assistants earn more in Riverside than elsewhere?
The average here is 20% less than the U.S. average for this job ($66,140).
Sources and how to read this page
- Wages: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates for metropolitan areas. SOC code 19-4061; area Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA (40140). Relative standard error of the mean wage: 5.1%.
- U.S. and statewide figures: BLS OEWS national and state estimates, May 2025, every employer including rural areas.
- Cost of living: Bureau of Economic Analysis regional price parities (RPP), 2024; 100 = U.S. average.
- Home value: Zillow Home Value Index. Typical-wage figure: OEWS all occupations, same metro.
- Take-home pay: Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and state income tax (2025 rules). California State Disability Insurance (1.3% of wages, paid by employees) is not included.
- Job concentration: location quotient 0.30, this job is less common than in the U.S. overall (location quotient 0.30).
Read the full methodology. Spotted an error? Tell us.