Social Science Research Assistants pay range in Washington
New workers and the lowest-paid 10% earn about $49,730 a year or less, while the top 10% make $112,030 or more. The middle half of social science research assistants in Washington earn between $57,700 and $81,910.
- $50K10th
- $58K25th
- $65KMedian
- $82K75th
- $112K90th
median average · bar = middle 50% of workers · how to read it
| Pay level | Per year | Per month | Per hour* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average | $73,440 | $6,120 | $35.31 |
| Median | $65,330 | $5,444 | $31.41 |
| Entry level (25th percentile) | $57,700 | $4,808 | $27.74 |
| Experienced (75th percentile) | $81,910 | $6,826 | $39.38 |
*Hourly figures assume 2,080 paid hours a year. Hourly to annual salary.
Social Science Research Assistants pay in Washington vs. Washington, D.C. and the U.S.
Social science research assistants in Washington earn about the same as the Washington, D.C. average ($72,920) and 11% more than the U.S. average ($66,140). At the median the gap is +5% against the U.S. median of $61,990.
| Area | Average | Median | 10th pct. | 90th pct. | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Washington | $73,440 | $65,330 | $49,730 | $112,030 | 2,170 |
| Washington, D.C. | $72,920 | $65,330 | $50,810 | $112,030 | 1,560 |
| 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 Washington
On the average salary of $73,440, a single filer in Washington takes home about $57,168 a year, or $4,764 a month and $2,199 every two weeks. Taxes take 22% of gross pay.
The Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area crosses state lines, so take-home pay depends on the state where you work:
| State | Per year | Per month |
|---|---|---|
| Working in WV | $58,021 | $4,835 |
| Working in MD | $57,218 | $4,768 |
| Working in DC | $57,168 | $4,764 |
| Working in VA | $57,086 | $4,757 |
Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and state income tax (2026 rules).
Is Washington a good place for social science research assistants? Pay vs. cost of living
Prices in the Washington area are 9% above the U.S. average (BEA price parity 108.9), so the average $73,440 buys what about $67,448 would buy in a typical U.S. metro. This job pays 0.9 times the median wage of all jobs in Washington ($71,060). A typical home costs $583,013, or 7.9 years of this average salary before tax.
Social Science Research Assistants salary in nearby metro areas
- Baltimore, MD$69,840
- Charlottesville, VA$58,660
- Richmond, VA$58,490
- Harrisburg, PA$58,920
- Philadelphia, PA$63,190
- Virginia Beach, VA$56,620
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 Washington: questions
How much do social science research assistants make an hour in Washington?
$35.31 an hour on average, and $31.41 at the median (BLS, May 2025).
What is the entry-level social science research assistants salary in Washington?
The lowest-paid 10% earn about $49,730 a year and the 25th percentile is $57,700, a fair guide to starting pay.
What is the social science research assistants take-home pay in Washington?
About $57,168 a year ($4,764 a month) for a single filer on the average salary of $73,440.
Do social science research assistants earn more in Washington than elsewhere?
The average here is 11% 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 Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV (47900). Relative standard error of the mean wage: 4.5%.
- 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 (2026 rules).
- Job concentration: location quotient 3.52, this job is 3.5 times as concentrated as in the U.S. overall.
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