Social Science Research Assistant salary in Illinois
Social Science Research Assistants in Illinois earn a median of $64,890 a year ($31.20 an hour), based on BLS data for 250 workers.
Pay ranges from $37,460 for the lowest-paid 10% to $116,530 for the top 10%. That is 5% higher than the national median of $61,990. Illinois ranks 10th of 45 states for social science research assistants pay. There are 0.04 social science research assistants per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.21). The average (mean) salary is $69,900, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for social science research assistants in Illinois
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $37,460 | $18.01 |
| 25th percentile | $47,720 | $22.94 |
| Median | $64,890 | $31.20 |
| 75th percentile | $74,700 | $35.91 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $116,530 | $56.03 |
| Average (mean) | $69,900 | $33.61 |
Half of social science research assistants earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $5,407.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,703.75 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,495.77 |
| Weekly | $1,247.88 |
| Hourly | $31.20 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Social Science Research Assistant salary in cities in Illinois
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $64,890 | 170 |
Highest-paying states for social science research assistants
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Oklahoma | $69,090 |
| Delaware | $68,230 |
| Kansas | $67,740 |
| Georgia | $66,620 |
| Kentucky | $66,390 |
| Missouri | $65,940 |
| New Hampshire | $65,690 |
| Maryland | $65,550 |
| District of Columbia | $65,330 |
| Illinois | $64,890 |
Related jobs in Illinois
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Chemical Technician | $61,890 | $29.76 |
| Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health | $59,930 | $28.81 |
| Forest and Conservation Technicians | $52,790 | $25.38 |
| Biological Technician | $55,790 | $26.82 |
| Nuclear Technician | $110,390 | $53.07 |
| Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other | $59,410 | $28.56 |
| Agricultural Technician | $46,410 | $22.31 |
| Forensic Science Technician | $124,790 | $60.00 |
| Food Science Technician | $60,820 | $29.24 |
| Geological Technicians, Except Hydrologic Technicians | $53,280 | $25.62 |
| Hydrologic Technician | $52,870 | $25.42 |
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologists | $83,750 | $40.27 |
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $82,330 | $39.58 |
| School Psychologist | $84,690 | $40.72 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Illinois
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 19-4061. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a social science research assistant make in Illinois?
The median salary for social science research assistants in Illinois is $64,890 a year, or $31.20 an hour. Pay ranges from $37,460 for the lowest-paid 10% to $116,530 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid social science research assistants make in Illinois?
The top 10% of social science research assistants in Illinois earn at least $116,530 a year. The top 25% earn $74,700 or more.
What is the starting pay for social science research assistants in Illinois?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $37,460 a year, and a quarter of social science research assistants earn $47,720 or less.
How many social science research assistants work in Illinois?
About 250 social science research assistants are employed in Illinois, not counting the self-employed.