Social Science Research Assistants Salary in Los Angeles, CA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA

Median annual salary $49,140 -15.3% vs national
Median hourly $23.63
10th percentile $36,400
90th percentile $96,330
Employed locally 2,140
National median $58,040

Compare Social Science Research Assistants salary & buying power

Type a city below to see how Los Angeles, CA stacks up on salary and cost of living.

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Social Science Research Assistants
in
Los Angeles, CA
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $36,400
    25th
    $36,410
    50th (median)
    $49,140
    75th
    $64,190
    90th
    $96,330

    Los Angeles economic context

    Unemployment rate 5.40% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $93,525 2023 • Census ACS
    Social Science Research Assistants salary vs area income 53% Median Social Science Research Assistants salary is 47% 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
    South Carolina $66,990
    Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN $64,400
    Raleigh-Cary, NC $63,160
    Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA $62,870
    Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH $60,110
    Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD $58,920

    Related occupations in Los Angeles, CA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists$128,470
    Occupational Health and Safety Specialists$98,720
    Clinical and Counseling Psychologists$100,330
    School Psychologists$108,130
    Chemists$82,370
    Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health$101,540

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Social Science Research Assistants in Los Angeles, CA is $23.63, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $46.99 or more per hour.

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

    The median Social Science Research Assistants salary in Los Angeles, CA is 15.3% 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 Los Angeles?

    Entry-level Social Science Research Assistants (10th percentile) earn around $36,400 per year in Los Angeles, CA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $36,410.