Social Science Research Assistant Salary in Michigan (2026)

Official state-level BLS pay data for Social Science Research Assistants in Michigan, plus how it compares with the rest of the country.

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
Michigan Median
$60,210
per year
Hourly Rate
$28.95
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-3% vs US median
US median $61,990
State Rank
#20 of 45
750 employed here

How much does a Social Science Research Assistant make in Michigan?

A Social Science Research Assistant working in Michigan earns a median salary of $60,210 per year, or about $28.95 per hour. That is 3% below the national median of $61,990 for this occupation.

Within Michigan, entry-level pay starts around $41,970 while the top 10% make $82,870 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $49,520 and $64,220 a year.

Social Science Research Assistant salary range in Michigan

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$41,970$20.18
25th percentile (early career)$49,520$23.81
50th percentile (median)$60,210$28.95
75th percentile (experienced)$64,220$30.88
90th percentile (top earners)$82,870$39.84

How Michigan compares

Michigan ranks 20th out of 45 states and territories for Social Science Research Assistant pay. The top 5 best-paying states:

RankStateMedian salary
1Oklahoma$69,090
2Delaware$68,230
3Kansas$67,740
4Georgia$66,620
5Kentucky$66,390

Working as a Social Science Research Assistant in Michigan

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 Michigan pay ($60,210) 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 Michigan?
The median Social Science Research Assistant salary in Michigan is $60,210 per year, or about $28.95 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $41,970 at the entry level to $82,870 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Michigan pay compare to the national average?
Michigan pays Social Science Research Assistants about 3% less than the national median of $61,990. Michigan ranks 20th out of 45 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Michigan a good state for Social Science Research Assistants?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $60,210 a year. About 750 Social Science Research Assistants are employed in Michigan. A lower cost of living can offset the smaller paycheck, so compare take-home value, not just salary.
What are the highest-paying jobs in Michigan?
The highest-paying occupations in Michigan include Radiologist ($485,920), Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers ($428,570), Cardiologist ($419,030), 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.