Social Science Research Assistant salary in Kentucky
Social Science Research Assistants in Kentucky earn a median of $66,390 a year ($31.92 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,190 workers.
Pay ranges from $45,050 for the lowest-paid 10% to $106,590 for the top 10%. That is 7% higher than the national median of $61,990. Kentucky ranks 5th of 45 states for social science research assistants pay, one of the best-paying states for this job. There are 0.59 social science research assistants per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 3.0× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $70,300, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for social science research assistants in Kentucky
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $45,050 | $21.66 |
| 25th percentile | $51,750 | $24.88 |
| Median | $66,390 | $31.92 |
| 75th percentile | $82,500 | $39.66 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $106,590 | $51.25 |
| Average (mean) | $70,300 | $33.80 |
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 | $5,532.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,766.25 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,553.46 |
| Weekly | $1,276.73 |
| Hourly | $31.92 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $66,390 salary, see how much house you can afford in Kentucky at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Social Science Research Assistant salary in cities in Kentucky
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Bowling Green, KY | $84,680 | 100 |
| Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN | $82,500 | 570 |
| Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN | $57,370 | 110 |
| Lexington-Fayette, KY | $51,780 | 370 |
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 Kentucky
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Chemical Technician | $60,830 | $29.25 |
| Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health | $46,840 | $22.52 |
| Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other | $68,230 | $32.80 |
| Biological Technician | $48,910 | $23.52 |
| Forest and Conservation Technicians | $43,660 | $20.99 |
| Agricultural Technician | $59,860 | $28.78 |
| Food Science Technician | $64,770 | $31.14 |
| Forensic Science Technician | $61,470 | $29.56 |
| Geological Technicians, Except Hydrologic Technicians | $49,840 | $23.96 |
| Hydrologic Technician | $65,170 | $31.33 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $83,730 | $40.25 |
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $71,040 | $34.16 |
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologists | $99,140 | $47.66 |
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $77,580 | $37.30 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Kentucky
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 Kentucky?
The median salary for social science research assistants in Kentucky is $66,390 a year, or $31.92 an hour. Pay ranges from $45,050 for the lowest-paid 10% to $106,590 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid social science research assistants make in Kentucky?
The top 10% of social science research assistants in Kentucky earn at least $106,590 a year. The top 25% earn $82,500 or more.
What is the starting pay for social science research assistants in Kentucky?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $45,050 a year, and a quarter of social science research assistants earn $51,750 or less.
How many social science research assistants work in Kentucky?
About 1,190 social science research assistants are employed in Kentucky, not counting the self-employed.