Illinois Median
$64,890
per year
Hourly Rate
$31.20
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+5% vs US median
US median $61,990
State Rank
#10 of 45
250 employed here
How much does a Social Science Research Assistant make in Illinois?
Social Science Research Assistants in Illinois take home a median of $64,890 annually — roughly $31.20 an hour — which runs 5% above the national median of $61,990.
Within Illinois, entry-level pay starts around $37,460 while the top 10% make $116,530 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $47,720 and $74,700 a year.
Social Science Research Assistant salary range in Illinois
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $37,460 | $18.01 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $47,720 | $22.94 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $64,890 | $31.20 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $74,700 | $35.91 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $116,530 | $56.02 |
|
How Illinois compares
Illinois ranks 10th 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 $65,550District of Columbia $65,330South 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 Illinois
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 Illinois pay ($64,890) 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 Illinois?
The median Social Science Research Assistant salary in Illinois is $64,890 per year, or about $31.20 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $37,460 at the entry level to $116,530 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Illinois pay compare to the national average?
Illinois pays Social Science Research Assistants about 5% more than the national median of $61,990. Illinois ranks 10th out of 45 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Illinois a good state for Social Science Research Assistants?
Yes on pay — Illinois pays above the national median for this occupation, at $64,890 a year. About 250 Social Science Research Assistants are employed in Illinois. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in Illinois?
The highest-paying occupations in Illinois include Cardiologist ($517,850), Surgeon, All Other ($438,010), Dermatologist ($435,750), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.
← See the national Social Science Research Assistant salary report
Related salaries
$73,010
median pay · 26,000 employed
$68,940
median pay · 3,000 employed
$78,850
median pay · 16,000 employed
$55,090
median pay · 35,000 employed
$69,460
median pay · 8,000 employed
$76,780
median pay · 18,000 employed
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.