How much does a social science research assistant make in San Diego?
Median yearly pay for social science research assistants in the San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA metro area. That is $31.98 an hour or $5,543 a month.
- Hourly
- $31.98
- Vs. national median
- +7%
- Rank among cities
- 10 of 72
- Jobs in the area
- 670
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $38,140 | $18.34 | |
| 25th | $38,150 | $18.34 | |
| Median | $66,520 | $31.98 | |
| 75th | $86,160 | $41.42 | |
| 90th | $129,200 | $62.10 |
Other cities in California
Median yearly pay for social science research assistants.
| San Francisco, CA | $82,020 |
| San Jose, CA | $75,010 |
| Los Angeles, CA | $59,240 |
| Sacramento, CA | $54,310 |
| Riverside, CA | $36,710 |
| Chico, CA | $36,080 |
Related jobs in San Diego
Same field, median yearly pay.
| Physicist | $156,500 |
| Psychologist | $148,800 |
| Physical Scientist | $132,400 |
| School Psychologist | $131,100 |
| Medical Scientist | $131,000 |
| Epidemiologist | $125,300 |
| Economist | $122,800 |
| Biochemist and Biophysicist | $121,700 |
| Atmospheric and Space Scientist | $120,400 |
| Microbiologist | $108,900 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a social science research assistant make an hour in San Diego?
The median hourly pay in the San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA metro area is $31.98 ($66,520 a year).
Do social science research assistants make more in San Diego than the national average?
Yes: $66,520 against $61,990 nationally, 7% more.
How does San Diego compare with the rest of California?
The median in California is $60,250, so San Diego pays 10% more.
Where does San Diego rank for social science research assistant pay?
10 of 72 metro areas with data.
How much does a social science research assistant make starting out in San Diego?
The lowest-paid 10% make $38,140 or less a year; the top 10% make $129,200 or more.
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.