Washington Median
$50,420
per year
Hourly Rate
$24.24
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-19% vs US median
US median $61,990
State Rank
#36 of 45
450 employed here
How much does a Social Science Research Assistant make in Washington?
Social Science Research Assistants in Washington take home a median of $50,420 annually — roughly $24.24 an hour — which runs 19% below the national median of $61,990.
Within Washington, entry-level pay starts around $45,530 while the top 10% make $75,720 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $48,780 and $59,820 a year.
Social Science Research Assistant salary range in Washington
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $45,530 | $21.89 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $48,780 | $23.45 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $50,420 | $24.24 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $59,820 | $28.76 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $75,720 | $36.40 |
|
How Washington compares
Washington ranks 36th 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 $50,430Ohio $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 Washington
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 Washington pay ($50,420) 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 Washington?
The median Social Science Research Assistant salary in Washington is $50,420 per year, or about $24.24 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $45,530 at the entry level to $75,720 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Washington pay compare to the national average?
Washington pays Social Science Research Assistants about 19% less than the national median of $61,990. Washington ranks 36th out of 45 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Washington a good state for Social Science Research Assistants?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $50,420 a year. About 450 Social Science Research Assistants are employed in Washington. 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 Washington?
The highest-paying occupations in Washington include Cardiologist ($656,330), Orthopedic Surgeon, Except Pediatric ($553,310), Dermatologist ($526,170), 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.