Social Science Research Assistants Salary in Harrisburg, PA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA

Median annual salary $47,620 -18% vs national
Median hourly $22.89
10th percentile $43,660
90th percentile $71,170
Employed locally 30
National median $58,040

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Social Science Research Assistants
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Harrisburg, PA
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $43,660
    25th
    $47,620
    50th (median)
    $47,620
    75th
    $54,600
    90th
    $71,170

    Harrisburg economic context

    Unemployment rate 3.30% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $79,281 2023 • Census ACS
    Social Science Research Assistants salary vs area income 60% Median Social Science Research Assistants salary is 40% 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
    Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD $58,920
    Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI $53,350
    Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL $53,260
    Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX $51,690
    Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL $48,390
    Pittsburgh, PA $48,170

    Related occupations in Harrisburg, PA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Occupational Health and Safety Specialists$80,600
    Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health$77,990
    Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other$61,030
    Chemists$64,580
    Economists$80,600
    Clinical and Counseling Psychologists$79,620

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Social Science Research Assistants in Harrisburg, PA is $22.89, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $37.54 or more per hour.

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

    The median Social Science Research Assistants salary in Harrisburg, PA is 18% below 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 Harrisburg?

    Entry-level Social Science Research Assistants (10th percentile) earn around $43,660 per year in Harrisburg, PA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $47,620.