Social Science Research Assistant Salary in South Carolina (2026)

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

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
South Carolina Median
$64,490
per year
Hourly Rate
$31.00
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+4% vs US median
US median $61,990
State Rank
#11 of 45
500 employed here

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

Social Science Research Assistants in South Carolina take home a median of $64,490 annually — roughly $31.00 an hour — which runs 4% above the national median of $61,990.

Within South Carolina, entry-level pay starts around $48,200 while the top 10% make $130,300 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $50,070 and $79,740 a year.

Social Science Research Assistant salary range in South Carolina

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$48,200$23.17
25th percentile (early career)$50,070$24.07
50th percentile (median)$64,490$31.00
75th percentile (experienced)$79,740$38.34
90th percentile (top earners)$130,300$62.64

How South Carolina compares

South Carolina ranks 11th 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 South 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 South Carolina pay ($64,490) 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 South Carolina?
The median Social Science Research Assistant salary in South Carolina is $64,490 per year, or about $31.00 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $48,200 at the entry level to $130,300 for the top 10% of earners.
How does South Carolina pay compare to the national average?
South Carolina pays Social Science Research Assistants about 4% more than the national median of $61,990. South Carolina ranks 11th out of 45 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is South Carolina a good state for Social Science Research Assistants?
Yes on pay — South Carolina pays above the national median for this occupation, at $64,490 a year. About 500 Social Science Research Assistants are employed in South Carolina. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in South Carolina?
The highest-paying occupations in South Carolina include General Internal Medicine Physician ($359,500), Neurologist ($352,680), Emergency Medicine Physician ($341,960), 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.