Social Science Research Assistants Salary in Sacramento, CA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA

Median annual salary $44,410 -23.5% vs national
Median hourly $21.35
10th percentile $36,580
90th percentile $97,670
Employed locally 240
National median $58,040

Compare Social Science Research Assistants salary & buying power

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

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Social Science Research Assistants
in
Sacramento, CA
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $36,580
    25th
    $36,590
    50th (median)
    $44,410
    75th
    $62,300
    90th
    $97,670

    Sacramento economic context

    Unemployment rate 4.70% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $93,986 2023 • Census ACS
    Social Science Research Assistants salary vs area income 47% Median Social Science Research Assistants salary is 53% 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 Sacramento, CA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health $102,420
    Urban and Regional Planners $91,030
    Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists $131,390
    Occupational Health and Safety Specialists $101,060
    Biological Technicians $62,570
    Biological Scientists, All Other $96,140

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Social Science Research Assistants in Sacramento, CA is $21.35, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $51.46 or more per hour.

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

    The median Social Science Research Assistants salary in Sacramento, CA is 23.5% 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 Sacramento?

    Entry-level Social Science Research Assistants (10th percentile) earn around $36,580 per year in Sacramento, CA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $36,590.