South Dakota Median
$44,820
per year
Hourly Rate
$21.55
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-28% vs US median
US median $61,990
State Rank
#43 of 45
40 employed here
How much does a Social Science Research Assistant make in South Dakota?
Social Science Research Assistants in South Dakota take home a median of $44,820 annually — roughly $21.55 an hour — which runs 28% below the national median of $61,990.
Within South Dakota, entry-level pay starts around $28,260 while the top 10% make $50,670 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $34,710 and $50,670 a year.
Social Science Research Assistant salary range in South Dakota
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $28,260 | $13.59 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $34,710 | $16.69 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $44,820 | $21.55 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $50,670 | $24.36 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $50,670 | $24.36 |
|
How South Dakota compares
South Dakota ranks 43rd 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 $65,330Illinois $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 $44,920Iowa $40,940Nevada $26,560
Working as a Social Science Research Assistant in South Dakota
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 Dakota pay ($44,820) 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 Dakota?
The median Social Science Research Assistant salary in South Dakota is $44,820 per year, or about $21.55 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $28,260 at the entry level to $50,670 for the top 10% of earners.
How does South Dakota pay compare to the national average?
South Dakota pays Social Science Research Assistants about 28% less than the national median of $61,990. South Dakota ranks 43rd out of 45 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is South Dakota a good state for Social Science Research Assistants?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $44,820 a year. About 40 Social Science Research Assistants are employed in South Dakota. 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 South Dakota?
The highest-paying occupations in South Dakota include Radiologist ($586,010), Emergency Medicine Physician ($393,870), Obstetricians and Gynecologists ($297,610), 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.