How much does a social science research assistant make in San Francisco?
Median yearly pay for social science research assistants in the San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA metro area. That is $39.43 an hour or $6,835 a month.
- Hourly
- $39.43
- Vs. national median
- +32%
- Rank among cities
- 4 of 72
- Jobs in the area
- 710
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $43,290 | $20.81 | |
| 25th | $46,550 | $22.38 | |
| Median | $82,020 | $39.43 | |
| 75th | $105,300 | $50.60 | |
| 90th | $136,900 | $65.82 |
Other cities in California
Median yearly pay for social science research assistants.
| 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 |
Related jobs in San Francisco
Same field, median yearly pay.
| Materials Scientist | $231,700 |
| Psychologist | $168,000 |
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologist | $166,400 |
| Biochemist and Biophysicist | $165,100 |
| Medical Scientist | $160,200 |
| Hydrologist | $147,100 |
| Economist | $142,400 |
| Biological Scientist | $138,200 |
| Urban and Regional Planner | $136,300 |
| Life Scientist | $134,800 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a social science research assistant make an hour in San Francisco?
The median hourly pay in the San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA metro area is $39.43 ($82,020 a year).
Do social science research assistants make more in San Francisco than the national average?
Yes: $82,020 against $61,990 nationally, 32% more.
How does San Francisco compare with the rest of California?
The median in California is $60,250, so San Francisco pays 36% more.
Where does San Francisco rank for social science research assistant pay?
4 of 72 metro areas with data.
How much does a social science research assistant make starting out in San Francisco?
The lowest-paid 10% make $43,290 or less a year; the top 10% make $136,900 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.