Social Science Research Assistant Salary in North Carolina (2026)

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

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
North Carolina Median
$63,710
per year
Hourly Rate
$30.63
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+3% vs US median
US median $61,990
State Rank
#12 of 45
2,930 employed here

How much does a Social Science Research Assistant make in North Carolina?

Social Science Research Assistants in North Carolina take home a median of $63,710 annually — roughly $30.63 an hour — which runs 3% above the national median of $61,990.

Within North Carolina, entry-level pay starts around $49,980 while the top 10% make $81,650 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $52,130 and $67,680 a year.

Social Science Research Assistant salary range in North Carolina

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$49,980$24.03
25th percentile (early career)$52,130$25.06
50th percentile (median)$63,710$30.63
75th percentile (experienced)$67,680$32.54
90th percentile (top earners)$81,650$39.25

How North Carolina compares

North Carolina ranks 12th 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 North Carolina

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 North Carolina pay ($63,710) 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 North Carolina?
The median Social Science Research Assistant salary in North Carolina is $63,710 per year, or about $30.63 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $49,980 at the entry level to $81,650 for the top 10% of earners.
How does North Carolina pay compare to the national average?
North Carolina pays Social Science Research Assistants about 3% more than the national median of $61,990. North Carolina ranks 12th out of 45 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is North Carolina a good state for Social Science Research Assistants?
Yes on pay — North Carolina pays above the national median for this occupation, at $63,710 a year. About 2,930 Social Science Research Assistants are employed in North Carolina. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in North Carolina?
The highest-paying occupations in North Carolina include Surgeon, All Other ($398,410), Dermatologist ($367,350), Emergency Medicine Physician ($339,350), 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.