Social Science Research Assistants Salary in Madison, WI

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Madison, WI

Median annual salary $50,090 -13.7% vs national
Median hourly $24.08
10th percentile $46,450
90th percentile $79,230
Employed locally 40
National median $58,040

Compare Social Science Research Assistants salary & buying power

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Social Science Research Assistants
in
Madison, WI
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $46,450
    25th
    $50,090
    50th (median)
    $50,090
    75th
    $65,530
    90th
    $79,230

    Madison economic context

    Unemployment rate 2.40% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $86,827 2023 • Census ACS
    Social Science Research Assistants salary vs area income 58% Median Social Science Research Assistants salary is 42% 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
    Providence-Warwick, RI-MA $48,710
    Wisconsin $47,380
    Wilmington, NC $45,100

    Related occupations in Madison, WI

    OccupationMedian salary
    Biological Technicians $49,630
    Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists $80,940
    Chemists $73,920
    Biological Scientists, All Other $77,340
    Microbiologists $79,530
    Conservation Scientists $81,120

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Social Science Research Assistants in Madison, WI is $24.08, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $38.09 or more per hour.

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

    The median Social Science Research Assistants salary in Madison, WI is 13.7% 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 Madison?

    Entry-level Social Science Research Assistants (10th percentile) earn around $46,450 per year in Madison, WI. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $50,090.