Social Science Research Assistants Salary in Chicago, IL-IN

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN

Median annual salary $64,400 +11% vs national
Median hourly $30.96
10th percentile $37,200
90th percentile $82,440
Employed locally 180
National median $58,040

Compare Social Science Research Assistants salary & buying power

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Social Science Research Assistants
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Chicago, IL-IN
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $37,200
    25th
    $45,050
    50th (median)
    $64,400
    75th
    $78,670
    90th
    $82,440

    Chicago economic context

    Unemployment rate 5.10% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $88,850 2023 • Census ACS
    Social Science Research Assistants salary vs area income 72% Median Social Science Research Assistants salary is 28% below the area median household income

    Top-paying metros for Social Science Research Assistants

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Flagstaff, AZ $86,020
    Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN $80,870
    Bowling Green, KY $80,340
    Ohio $70,670
    Columbia, SC $69,110
    South Carolina $66,990

    Nearby metros — Social Science Research Assistants salary comparison

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN $80,870
    Greenville-Anderson-Greer, SC $65,700
    Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA $59,120
    Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD $58,920
    Illinois $54,720
    Greenville, NC $53,140

    Related occupations in Chicago, IL-IN

    OccupationMedian salary
    Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists $78,560
    Clinical and Counseling Psychologists $98,240
    Chemists $100,720
    School Psychologists $80,600
    Occupational Health and Safety Specialists $98,780
    Physicists $131,260

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Social Science Research Assistants make per hour in Chicago?

    The median hourly wage for Social Science Research Assistants in Chicago, IL-IN is $30.96, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $56.02 or more per hour.

    Is Chicago above or below average for Social Science Research Assistants salaries?

    The median Social Science Research Assistants salary in Chicago, IL-IN is 11% above the national median of $58,040. The national figure is from BLS OEWS 2025 data covering all US metropolitan areas.

    What is the entry-level salary for Social Science Research Assistants in Chicago?

    Entry-level Social Science Research Assistants (10th percentile) earn around $37,200 per year in Chicago, IL-IN. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $45,050.