Social Science Research Assistant salary in Tucson, AZ
Social Science Research Assistants in the Tucson, AZ metro area earn a median of $61,680 a year ($29.65 an hour), based on BLS data for 390 workers.
Pay ranges from $40,220 for the lowest-paid 10% to $81,170 for the top 10%. That is 1% lower than the national median of $61,990. Pay here is about the same as the Arizona statewide median of $61,680. There are 1.00 social science research assistants per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 5.1× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $59,410, close to the median.
Pay range for social science research assistants in Tucson, AZ
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $40,220 | $19.34 |
| 25th percentile | $51,750 | $24.88 |
| Median | $61,680 | $29.65 |
| 75th percentile | $61,680 | $29.65 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $81,170 | $39.03 |
| Average (mean) | $59,410 | $28.56 |
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 | $5,140 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,570 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,372.31 |
| Weekly | $1,186.15 |
| Hourly | $29.65 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $61,680 salary, see how much house you can afford in Arizona at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Social Science Research Assistant salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Flagstaff, AZ | $86,020 | 40 |
| Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ | $64,290 | 570 |
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 |
See Social Science Research Assistant pay in every state or the Arizona statewide figures.
Related jobs in Tucson, AZ
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Forensic Science Technician | $61,380 | $29.51 |
| Biological Technician | $49,550 | $23.82 |
| Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health | $51,660 | $24.84 |
| Forest and Conservation Technicians | $61,210 | $29.43 |
| Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other | $65,270 | $31.38 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $83,200 | $40.00 |
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $76,330 | $36.70 |
| Social Scientists and Related Workers, All Other | $99,320 | $47.75 |
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $119,630 | $57.51 |
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologists | $124,250 | $59.74 |
| School Psychologist | $87,540 | $42.09 |
| Biological Scientists, All Other | $96,300 | $46.30 |
| Conservation Scientist | $55,990 | $26.92 |
| Anthropologists and Archeologists | $73,860 | $35.51 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Tucson, AZ
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 Tucson, AZ?
The median salary for social science research assistants in the Tucson, AZ metro area is $61,680 a year, or $29.65 an hour. Pay ranges from $40,220 for the lowest-paid 10% to $81,170 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid social science research assistants make in Tucson, AZ?
The top 10% of social science research assistants in the Tucson, AZ metro area earn at least $81,170 a year. The top 25% earn $61,680 or more.
What is the starting pay for social science research assistants in Tucson, AZ?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $40,220 a year, and a quarter of social science research assistants earn $51,750 or less.
How many social science research assistants work in Tucson, AZ?
About 390 social science research assistants are employed in the Tucson, AZ metro area, not counting the self-employed.