Social Science Research Assistants pay range in Detroit
New workers and the lowest-paid 10% earn about $43,160 a year or less, while the top 10% make $93,710 or more. The middle half of social science research assistants in Detroit earn between $48,530 and $82,870.
- $43K10th
- $49K25th
- $63KMedian
- $83K75th
- $94K90th
median average · bar = middle 50% of workers · how to read it
| Pay level | Per year | Per month | Per hour* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average | $70,060 | $5,838 | $33.68 |
| Median | $62,670 | $5,222 | $30.13 |
| Entry level (25th percentile) | $48,530 | $4,044 | $23.33 |
| Experienced (75th percentile) | $82,870 | $6,906 | $39.84 |
*Hourly figures assume 2,080 paid hours a year. Hourly to annual salary.
Social Science Research Assistants pay in Detroit vs. Michigan and the U.S.
Social science research assistants in Detroit earn 16% more than the Michigan average ($60,480) and 6% more than the U.S. average ($66,140). At the median the gap is +1% against the U.S. median of $61,990.
| Area | Average | Median | 10th pct. | 90th pct. | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Detroit | $70,060 | $62,670 | $43,160 | $93,710 | 100 |
| Michigan | $60,480 | $60,210 | $41,970 | $82,870 | 750 |
| 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 Detroit
On the average salary of $70,060, a single filer in Detroit takes home about $53,844 a year, or $4,487 a month and $2,071 every two weeks. Taxes take 23% of gross pay.
Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and state income tax (2025 rules). Includes Detroit's local income tax (2.4%).
Is Detroit a good place for social science research assistants? Pay vs. cost of living
Prices in the Detroit area are in line with the U.S. average (BEA price parity 100.3), so the average $70,060 buys what about $69,852 would buy in a typical U.S. metro. This job pays 1.2 times the median wage of all jobs in Detroit ($52,080). A typical home costs $269,080, or 3.8 years of this average salary before tax.
Social Science Research Assistants salary in other Michigan cities
Detroit ranks 1st of 3 Michigan metro areas for this job, the best-paid in the state.
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
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Social Science Research Assistants salary in Detroit: questions
How much do social science research assistants make an hour in Detroit?
$33.69 an hour on average, and $30.13 at the median (BLS, May 2025).
What is the entry-level social science research assistants salary in Detroit?
The lowest-paid 10% earn about $43,160 a year and the 25th percentile is $48,530, a fair guide to starting pay.
What is the social science research assistants take-home pay in Detroit?
About $53,844 a year ($4,487 a month) for a single filer on the average salary of $70,060. Includes Detroit's local income tax (2.4%).
Do social science research assistants earn more in Detroit than elsewhere?
The average here is 6% more 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 Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI (19820). Relative standard error of the mean wage: 7.9%.
- 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). Includes Detroit's local income tax (2.4%).
- Job concentration: location quotient 0.26, this job is less common than in the U.S. overall (location quotient 0.26).
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