Social Science Research Assistant salary in Washington
Social Science Research Assistants in Washington earn a median of $50,420 a year ($24.24 an hour), based on BLS data for 450 workers.
Pay ranges from $45,530 for the lowest-paid 10% to $75,720 for the top 10%. That is 19% lower than the national median of $61,990. Washington ranks 36th of 45 states for social science research assistants pay. There are 0.13 social science research assistants per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.64). The average (mean) salary is $56,120, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for social science research assistants in Washington
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $45,530 | $21.89 |
| 25th percentile | $48,780 | $23.45 |
| Median | $50,420 | $24.24 |
| 75th percentile | $59,820 | $28.76 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $75,720 | $36.40 |
| Average (mean) | $56,120 | $26.98 |
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 | $4,201.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,100.83 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,939.23 |
| Weekly | $969.62 |
| Hourly | $24.24 |
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 Washington
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA | $59,850 | 100 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $50,310 | 280 |
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 Washington
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Biological Technician | $60,800 | $29.23 |
| Forest and Conservation Technicians | $54,160 | $26.04 |
| Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other | $73,530 | $35.35 |
| Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health | $67,160 | $32.29 |
| Chemical Technician | $62,100 | $29.86 |
| Food Science Technician | $62,070 | $29.84 |
| Agricultural Technician | $48,220 | $23.19 |
| Forensic Science Technician | $81,310 | $39.09 |
| Nuclear Technician | $108,200 | $52.02 |
| Hydrologic Technician | $85,240 | $40.98 |
| Geological Technicians, Except Hydrologic Technicians | $63,910 | $30.73 |
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $105,680 | $50.81 |
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $98,300 | $47.26 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $102,920 | $49.48 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Washington
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 Washington?
The median salary for social science research assistants in Washington is $50,420 a year, or $24.24 an hour. Pay ranges from $45,530 for the lowest-paid 10% to $75,720 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid social science research assistants make in Washington?
The top 10% of social science research assistants in Washington earn at least $75,720 a year. The top 25% earn $59,820 or more.
What is the starting pay for social science research assistants in Washington?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $45,530 a year, and a quarter of social science research assistants earn $48,780 or less.
How many social science research assistants work in Washington?
About 450 social science research assistants are employed in Washington, not counting the self-employed.