Social Science Research Assistants Salary in Raleigh, NC

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Raleigh-Cary, NC

Median annual salary $63,160 +8.8% vs national
Median hourly $30.36
10th percentile $47,650
90th percentile $79,110
Employed locally 530
National median $58,040

Compare Social Science Research Assistants salary & buying power

Type a city below to see how Raleigh, NC stacks up on salary and cost of living.

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Social Science Research Assistants
in
Raleigh, NC
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $47,650
    25th
    $49,920
    50th (median)
    $63,160
    75th
    $64,440
    90th
    $79,110

    Raleigh economic context

    Unemployment rate 3.10% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $96,066 2023 • Census ACS
    Social Science Research Assistants salary vs area income 66% Median Social Science Research Assistants salary is 34% 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
    Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN $62,670
    Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA $59,120
    Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC $58,200
    San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $56,740
    Trenton-Princeton, NJ $56,350
    Greenville, NC $53,140

    Related occupations in Raleigh, NC

    OccupationMedian salary
    Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health $66,370
    Chemists $80,940
    Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists $102,470
    Biological Scientists, All Other $102,030
    Occupational Health and Safety Specialists $81,560
    Clinical and Counseling Psychologists $117,060

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Social Science Research Assistants in Raleigh, NC is $30.36, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $41.42 or more per hour.

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

    The median Social Science Research Assistants salary in Raleigh, NC is 8.8% 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 Raleigh?

    Entry-level Social Science Research Assistants (10th percentile) earn around $47,650 per year in Raleigh, NC. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $49,920.