Social Science Research Assistants pay range in Philadelphia
New workers and the lowest-paid 10% earn about $48,230 a year or less, while the top 10% make $82,920 or more. The middle half of social science research assistants in Philadelphia earn between $48,630 and $75,140.
- $48K10th
- $49K25th
- $62KMedian
- $75K75th
- $83K90th
median average · bar = middle 50% of workers · how to read it
| Pay level | Per year | Per month | Per hour* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average | $63,190 | $5,266 | $30.38 |
| Median | $61,760 | $5,147 | $29.69 |
| Entry level (25th percentile) | $48,630 | $4,052 | $23.38 |
| Experienced (75th percentile) | $75,140 | $6,262 | $36.12 |
*Hourly figures assume 2,080 paid hours a year. Hourly to annual salary.
Social Science Research Assistants pay in Philadelphia vs. Pennsylvania and the U.S.
Social science research assistants in Philadelphia earn 5% more than the Pennsylvania average ($60,080) and 4% less than the U.S. average ($66,140). At the median the gap is -0% against the U.S. median of $61,990.
| Area | Average | Median | 10th pct. | 90th pct. | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Philadelphia | $63,190 | $61,760 | $48,230 | $82,920 | 560 |
| Pennsylvania | $60,080 | $54,610 | $44,710 | $81,640 | 860 |
| 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 Philadelphia
On the average salary of $63,190, a single filer in Philadelphia takes home about $51,013 a year, or $4,251 a month and $1,962 every two weeks. Taxes take 19% of gross pay.
The Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD metro area crosses state lines, so take-home pay depends on the state where you work:
| State | Per year | Per month |
|---|---|---|
| Working in PA | $51,013 | $4,251 |
| Working in NJ | $51,010 | $4,251 |
| Working in MD | $50,163 | $4,180 |
| Working in DE | $50,013 | $4,168 |
Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and state income tax (2025 rules). Local earned income taxes (for example Philadelphia's wage tax) are not included.
Is Philadelphia a good place for social science research assistants? Pay vs. cost of living
Prices in the Philadelphia area are 3% above the U.S. average (BEA price parity 102.6), so the average $63,190 buys what about $61,616 would buy in a typical U.S. metro. This job pays 1.1 times the median wage of all jobs in Philadelphia ($54,310). A typical home costs $390,463, or 6.2 years of this average salary before tax.
Social Science Research Assistants salary in other Pennsylvania cities
Philadelphia ranks 1st of 3 Pennsylvania metro areas for this job, the best-paid in the state.
- Philadelphia$63,190
- Harrisburg$58,920
- Pittsburgh$56,390
All Social Science Research Assistants salaries in Pennsylvania
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 Philadelphia: questions
How much do social science research assistants make an hour in Philadelphia?
$30.38 an hour on average, and $29.69 at the median (BLS, May 2025).
What is the entry-level social science research assistants salary in Philadelphia?
The lowest-paid 10% earn about $48,230 a year and the 25th percentile is $48,630, a fair guide to starting pay.
What is the social science research assistants take-home pay in Philadelphia?
About $51,013 a year ($4,251 a month) for a single filer on the average salary of $63,190. Local earned income taxes (for example Philadelphia's wage tax) are not included.
Do social science research assistants earn more in Philadelphia than elsewhere?
The average here is 4% 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 Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD (37980). Relative standard error of the mean wage: 2.1%.
- 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). Local earned income taxes (for example Philadelphia's wage tax) are not included.
- Job concentration: location quotient 0.97, this job is about as common as in the U.S. overall.
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