Social Science Research Assistants Salary in Columbia, SC

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Columbia, SC

Median annual salary $69,110 +19.1% vs national
Median hourly $33.22
10th percentile $37,390
90th percentile $122,120
Employed locally 150
National median $58,040

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Social Science Research Assistants
in
Columbia, SC
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $37,390
    25th
    $48,530
    50th (median)
    $69,110
    75th
    $77,900
    90th
    $122,120

    Columbia economic context

    Unemployment rate 4.00% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $66,146 2023 • Census ACS
    Social Science Research Assistants salary vs area income 104% Median Social Science Research Assistants salary is 4% above 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
    South Carolina $66,990
    Greenville-Anderson-Greer, SC $65,700

    Nearby metros — Social Science Research Assistants salary comparison

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Greenville-Anderson-Greer, SC $65,700
    Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC $58,200
    San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $56,740
    Charleston-North Charleston, SC $56,540
    Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC $48,380
    Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY $48,090

    Related occupations in Columbia, SC

    OccupationMedian salary
    Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other $53,960
    Occupational Health and Safety Specialists $77,890
    Chemical Technicians $61,320
    School Psychologists $77,080
    Chemists $65,450
    Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists $77,430

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Social Science Research Assistants in Columbia, SC is $33.22, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $64.62 or more per hour.

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

    The median Social Science Research Assistants salary in Columbia, SC is 19.1% 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 Columbia?

    Entry-level Social Science Research Assistants (10th percentile) earn around $37,390 per year in Columbia, SC. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $48,530.