Social Science Research Assistants pay range in Madison
New workers and the lowest-paid 10% earn about $46,450 a year or less, while the top 10% make $79,230 or more. The middle half of social science research assistants in Madison earn between $50,090 and $65,530.
- $46K10th
- $50K25th
- $50KMedian
- $66K75th
- $79K90th
median average · bar = middle 50% of workers · how to read it
| Pay level | Per year | Per month | Per hour* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average | $56,970 | $4,748 | $27.39 |
| Median | $50,090 | $4,174 | $24.08 |
| Entry level (25th percentile) | $50,090 | $4,174 | $24.08 |
| Experienced (75th percentile) | $65,530 | $5,461 | $31.50 |
*Hourly figures assume 2,080 paid hours a year. Hourly to annual salary.
Social Science Research Assistants pay in Madison vs. Wisconsin and the U.S.
Social science research assistants in Madison earn 8% more than the Wisconsin average ($52,660) and 14% less than the U.S. average ($66,140). At the median the gap is -19% against the U.S. median of $61,990.
| Area | Average | Median | 10th pct. | 90th pct. | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Madison | $56,970 | $50,090 | $46,450 | $79,230 | 40 |
| Wisconsin | $52,660 | $48,090 | $34,710 | $71,050 | 110 |
| 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 Madison
On the average salary of $56,970, a single filer in Madison takes home about $46,035 a year, or $3,836 a month and $1,771 every two weeks. Taxes take 19% of gross pay.
Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and state income tax (2026 rules).
Is Madison a good place for social science research assistants? Pay vs. cost of living
Prices in the Madison area are 3% below the U.S. average (BEA price parity 97.3), so the average $56,970 buys what about $58,559 would buy in a typical U.S. metro. This job pays 0.9 times the median wage of all jobs in Madison ($58,080). A typical home costs $452,769, or 7.9 years of this average salary before tax.
Social Science Research Assistants salary in nearby metro areas
- Chicago, IL$68,370
- Minneapolis, MN$47,870
- Des Moines, IA$38,590
- Lansing, MI$60,820
- Indianapolis, IN$66,560
- Ann Arbor, MI$51,060
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 Madison: questions
How much do social science research assistants make an hour in Madison?
$27.39 an hour on average, and $24.08 at the median (BLS, May 2025).
What is the entry-level social science research assistants salary in Madison?
The lowest-paid 10% earn about $46,450 a year and the 25th percentile is $50,090, a fair guide to starting pay.
What is the social science research assistants take-home pay in Madison?
About $46,035 a year ($3,836 a month) for a single filer on the average salary of $56,970.
Do social science research assistants earn more in Madison than elsewhere?
The average here is 14% 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 Madison, WI (31540). Relative standard error of the mean wage: 3.8%.
- 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 0.50, this job is less common than in the U.S. overall (location quotient 0.50).
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