District of Columbia Median
$65,330
per year
Hourly Rate
$31.41
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+5% vs US median
US median $61,990
State Rank
#9 of 45
1,560 employed here
How much does a Social Science Research Assistant make in District of Columbia?
Social Science Research Assistants in District of Columbia take home a median of $65,330 annually — roughly $31.41 an hour — which runs 5% above the national median of $61,990.
Within District of Columbia, entry-level pay starts around $50,810 while the top 10% make $112,030 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $56,830 and $81,420 a year.
Social Science Research Assistant salary range in District of Columbia
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $50,810 | $24.43 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $56,830 | $27.32 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $65,330 | $31.41 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $81,420 | $39.14 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $112,030 | $53.86 |
|
How District of Columbia compares
District of Columbia ranks 9th out of 45 states and territories for Social Science Research Assistant pay. The top 5 best-paying states:
Social Science Research Assistant salary in other states
Oklahoma $69,090Delaware $68,230Kansas $67,740Georgia $66,620Kentucky $66,390Missouri $65,940New Hampshire $65,690Maryland $65,550Illinois $64,890South Carolina $64,490North Carolina $63,710Massachusetts $63,480New Jersey $62,760Idaho $62,570Alaska $62,230Arizona $61,680New York $61,210California $60,250Michigan $60,210Connecticut $60,110Texas $58,070Indiana $57,020Oregon $56,770Nebraska $56,190Pennsylvania $54,610Virginia $53,260Alabama $53,080Louisiana $52,600Rhode Island $51,420West Virginia $51,140Florida $50,700Maine $50,650New Mexico $50,640Colorado $50,430Washington $50,420Ohio $50,330Montana $49,860Wisconsin $48,090Vermont $47,510Tennessee $46,410Minnesota $44,920South Dakota $44,820Iowa $40,940Nevada $26,560
Working as a Social Science Research Assistant in District of Columbia
Nationally, about 31,000 people work as Social Science Research Assistants in the United States. A bachelor's degree (about 4 years of college) is the standard entry requirement.
Considering a move? Compare District of Columbia pay ($65,330) against the highest-paying state above, and weigh the difference against housing and everyday costs — a smaller paycheck in a cheaper state can stretch further.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a Social Science Research Assistant make in District of Columbia?
The median Social Science Research Assistant salary in District of Columbia is $65,330 per year, or about $31.41 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $50,810 at the entry level to $112,030 for the top 10% of earners.
How does District of Columbia pay compare to the national average?
District of Columbia pays Social Science Research Assistants about 5% more than the national median of $61,990. District of Columbia ranks 9th out of 45 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is District of Columbia a good state for Social Science Research Assistants?
Yes on pay — District of Columbia pays above the national median for this occupation, at $65,330 a year. About 1,560 Social Science Research Assistants are employed in District of Columbia. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in District of Columbia?
The highest-paying occupations in District of Columbia include Neurologist ($332,000), Emergency Medicine Physician ($318,200), Podiatrist ($265,740), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.
← See the national Social Science Research Assistant salary report
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Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), Unknown vintage. Education requirements: O*NET (U.S. Department of Labor). State figures are official BLS state-level wage estimates. Where BLS suppresses a state percentile, it is scaled from the official national distribution. Individual pay varies by employer, metro area, and experience.