Social Science Research Assistants pay in California
In California, the median pay for social science research assistants is $28.97 an hour ($60,250 a year). About 5,300 people work in this job there.
That is 3% lower than the U.S. median ($61,990). California ranks 19th of 45 states and territories for this job’s median pay.
Pay range for social science research assistants in California
| Earns more than | Hourly | Yearly |
|---|---|---|
| 10% of workers | $18.30 | $38,060 |
| 25% of workers | $20.04 | $41,670 |
| Half of workers (median) | $28.97 | $60,250 |
| 75% of workers | $40.86 | $84,990 |
| 90% of workers | $56.28 | $117,070 |
Social Science Research Assistants pay in California metro areas
| Metro area | Median yearly pay | People in this job |
|---|---|---|
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont | $82,020 | 710 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara | $75,010 | 330 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad | $66,520 | 670 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim | $59,240 | 2,290 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom | $54,310 | 180 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario | $36,710 | 100 |
| Chico | $36,080 | 50 |
California unemployment rate: 5.1% (August 2026), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Education, experience and outlook for social science research assistants
- Typical education to start: Bachelor's degree (BLS)
- Related work experience most have: 1 to 2 years (O*NET)
- Job outlook: +5% over ten years, faster than average · about 4,900 openings a year (BLS)
Related jobs in California
| Job | Median yearly pay |
|---|---|
| Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other | $78,350 |
| Biological Technicians | $71,440 |
| Chemical Technicians | $59,510 |
| Forest and Conservation Technicians | $58,120 |
| Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health | $61,220 |
| Food Science Technicians | $54,200 |
| Forensic Science Technicians | $102,100 |
| Agricultural Technicians | $60,320 |
Other job titles for this job
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Post a job freeFind jobsCheck pay for any jobSource: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates. Figures are for wage and salary workers and do not include the self-employed. The median is the middle wage: half earn more, half earn less. Other job titles: O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under the CC BY 4.0 license; O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. JAI Bot has modified this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.