How much does a social science research assistant make in California?
$60,250a year
Median yearly pay for social science research assistants in California. That is $28.97 an hour or $5,021 a month.
- Hourly
- $28.97
- Vs. national median
- -3%
- Rank among states
- 19 of 45
- Jobs in the state
- 5,300
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $38,060Median: $60,250Highest 10%: $117,100
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $38,060 | $18.30 | |
| 25th | $41,670 | $20.03 | |
| Median | $60,250 | $28.97 | |
| 75th | $84,990 | $40.86 | |
| 90th | $117,100 | $56.28 |
Cities in California
Metro areas, median yearly pay.
| San Francisco, CA | $82,020 |
| San Jose, CA | $75,010 |
| San Diego, CA | $66,520 |
| Los Angeles, CA | $59,240 |
| Sacramento, CA | $54,310 |
| Riverside, CA | $36,710 |
| Chico, CA | $36,080 |
Nearby in the ranking
States with similar pay for social science research assistants.
| 16. Alaska | $62,230 |
| 17. Arizona | $61,680 |
| 18. New York | $61,210 |
| 19. California | $60,250 |
| 20. Michigan | $60,210 |
| 21. Connecticut | $60,110 |
| 22. Texas | $58,070 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a social science research assistant make an hour in California?
The median hourly pay in California is $28.97 ($60,250 a year).
Do social science research assistants make more in California than the national average?
No: $60,250 against $61,990 nationally, 3% less.
Where does California rank for social science research assistant pay?
California ranks 19 of 45 states.
Which city in California pays social science research assistants the most?
San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA, with a median of $82,020 a year.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS): pay in May 2025, published by BLS in 2026. Hourly pay is the yearly figure divided by 2,080 hours.