Assist social scientists in laboratory, survey, and other social science research. May help prepare findings for publication and assist in laboratory analysis, quality control, or data management.
Social Science Research Assistants
SOC: 19-4061 O*NET: 19-4061.00
Median Salary
$58,040
per year
Job Growth
📈 4.4%
Faster (2024-2034)
Annual Openings
5.2
projected jobs/year
Education Level
Bachelor's degree or higher
Job Zone 4
Assist social scientists in laboratory, survey, and other social science research. May help prepare findings for publication and assist in laboratory analysis, quality control, or data management.
What does a Social Science Research Assistants do?
How much can you earn?
Salary Distribution by Percentile
Understanding where you might fall in the salary range based on experience and location.
10th
$34,824
25th
$46,432
50th (Median)
$58,040
75th
$69,648
90th
$87,060
Percentile Explained: If you're in the 75th percentile, you earn more than 75% of workers in this occupation. Entry-level positions typically fall in the 10th-25th percentile range, while experienced professionals often reach the 75th-90th percentile.
Typical Benefits Package
Health & Wellness
- ✓Health Insurance
- ✓Dental Insurance
- ✓Vision Insurance
- ✓Mental Health Support
- ✓Wellness Programs
Financial Benefits
- ✓401(k) Retirement Plan
- ✓Employer Match (typically 3-6%)
- ✓Profit Sharing
- ✓Stock Options
- ✓Performance Bonuses
Work-Life Balance
- ✓Paid Time Off (15-25 days)
- ✓Paid Sick Leave
- ✓Flexible Work Arrangements
- ✓Remote Work Options
- ✓Parental Leave
Professional Development
- ✓Tuition Reimbursement
- ✓Professional Certifications
- ✓Conference Attendance
- ✓Training Programs
- ✓Mentorship Opportunities
Note: Benefits vary widely by employer, company size, and location. Large corporations and tech companies often offer more comprehensive packages, while small businesses may offer fewer benefits but more flexibility. Always review the complete compensation package, not just base salary.
What's the job outlook?
Job Market Intelligence
Medium Demand
Market demand
Medium Risk
Automation risk
Current Employment
National Employment:40,600
10-Year Outlook
Growth Rate:+4.4%
Annual Openings:5,200
Employment Projections
2024 (Current)40,600
Current
2034 (Projected)42,300
+4.4%
+1,800
Employment Change
+4.4%
Growth Rate
10
Year Projection
Growth Category: As fast as average
Key Growth Factors
- •Average growth expected
What skills do you need?
Top 10 Most Important Skills
#1
Reading Comprehension
100%
#2
Active Listening
94%
#3
Critical Thinking
86%
#4
Writing
80%
#5
Complex Problem Solving
74%
#6
Speaking
66%
#7
Science
60%
#8
Judgment and Decision Making
54%
#9
Mathematics
46%
#10
Active Learning
40%
Skills Overview
Reading Comprehension
advanced5.0
100%
Active Listening
advanced4.7
94%
Critical Thinking
intermediate4.3
86%
Writing
intermediate4.0
80%
Complex Problem Solving
advanced3.7
74%
Speaking
intermediate3.3
66%
Science
intermediate3.0
60%
Judgment and Decision Making
basic2.7
54%
Skills are rated on a scale of 0-5, with 5 being the most important. The complexity level indicates how advanced the skill typically needs to be.
Filter:
Sort by:
Reading Comprehension
advancedImportance100%
abilities
5.0/5.0
Active Listening
advancedImportance94%
skills
4.7/5.0
Critical Thinking
intermediateImportance86%
abilities
4.3/5.0
Writing
intermediateImportance80%
skills
4.0/5.0
Complex Problem Solving
advancedImportance74%
abilities
3.7/5.0
Speaking
intermediateImportance66%
skills
3.3/5.0
Science
intermediateImportance60%
abilities
3.0/5.0
Judgment and Decision Making
basicImportance54%
abilities
2.7/5.0
Mathematics
basicImportance46%
skills
2.3/5.0
Active Learning
basicImportance40%
abilities
2.0/5.0
Highly Transferable Skills
These skills are valuable across multiple career paths, making career transitions easier:
Atmospheric and Space Scientists100%
5 shared skills
Statisticians100%
5 shared skills
Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers100%
5 shared skills
Hydrologists100%
5 shared skills
Materials Engineers100%
5 shared skills
Materials Scientists100%
5 shared skills
Skills by Career Stage
Entry Level
Must Have:
- ✓Active Listening
- ✓Writing
Learn on the Job:
- →Speaking
- →Science
- →Judgment and Decision Making
Mid Career
Expected:
- ✓Active Listening
- ✓Writing
- ✓Reading Comprehension
- ✓Critical Thinking
Senior Level
Mastery Required:
- ★Active Listening
- ★Writing
- ★Reading Comprehension
- ★Critical Thinking
- ★Complex Problem Solving
Skill Development Tips
- •Focus on developing the top 5 skills first - they have the highest impact on career success
- •Transferable skills open doors to related careers and provide flexibility
- •Balance technical skills with soft skills for well-rounded professional development
- •Entry-level positions prioritize foundational skills that can be built upon over time
What technology will you use?
Technology & Digital Skills
Essential technology proficiencies for Social Science Research Assistants
Technology Intensity
Very High
🔥
Hot Technologies in Demand
These technologies are currently trending and highly sought after in this field
IBM SPSS Statistics
🔥 Hot TechSAS
🔥 Hot TechThe MathWorks MATLAB
🔥 Hot TechTableau
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Access
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft SQL Server
🔥 Hot TechStructured query language SQL
🔥 Hot TechAdobe InDesign
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Visual Basic
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Outlook
🔥 Hot TechExtensible markup language XML
🔥 Hot TechESRI ArcGIS software
🔥 Hot TechTechnology Stack
Technology Stack Overview
Key technologies used in this career
IBM SPSS Statistics
SAS
The MathWorks MATLAB
Tableau
Microsoft Access
Microsoft SQL Server
Structured query language SQL
Adobe InDesign
Microsoft Visual Basic
Microsoft Outlook
Extensible markup language XML
ESRI ArcGIS software
📚 Technology Learning Resources
Recommended Certifications
- •Vendor-specific software certifications
- •Industry-recognized technology credentials
- •Professional development courses
Online Learning Platforms
- •LinkedIn Learning - Comprehensive technology courses
- •Coursera - University-level programs
- •Udemy - Practical skills training
💡 Technology Skill Development Tips
- •Focus on mastering hot technologies first - they're currently most in-demand
- •Build a portfolio demonstrating your proficiency with key tools and software
- •Stay current through continuous learning - technology evolves rapidly
- •Consider vendor certifications to validate your skills to employers
What's the work environment like?
🏢
Location
MOSTLY INDOOR
💪
Physical Demand
VERY HIGH
👥
Team Orientation
SOME TEAM
🤝
Customer Interaction
OCCASIONAL
💡Is This Work Environment Right for You?
Consider these factors when evaluating if you'll thrive in this work environment:
- •Are you comfortable working in mostly indoor environments?
- •Can you meet very high physical demands?
- •Do you enjoy some team team environments?
- •Are you comfortable working with safety protocols and protective equipment?
What education is required?
Education Required
Bachelor's degree or higher
Experience Required
A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience needed
Job Training
Significant preparation with related work experience