Social Science Research Assistants Salary in San Jose, CA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA

Median annual salary $51,840 -10.7% vs national
Median hourly $24.93
10th percentile $42,550
90th percentile $116,620
Employed locally 340
National median $58,040

Compare Social Science Research Assistants salary & buying power

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Social Science Research Assistants
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San Jose, CA
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $42,550
    25th
    $42,550
    50th (median)
    $51,840
    75th
    $77,070
    90th
    $116,620

    San Jose economic context

    Unemployment rate 4.20% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $157,444 2023 • Census ACS
    Social Science Research Assistants salary vs area income 33% Median Social Science Research Assistants salary is 67% 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 San Jose, CA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists $155,990
    Occupational Health and Safety Specialists $132,230
    Biological Scientists, All Other $132,630
    Biological Technicians $71,920
    Clinical and Counseling Psychologists $101,520
    Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other $75,670

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Social Science Research Assistants in San Jose, CA is $24.93, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $63.90 or more per hour.

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

    The median Social Science Research Assistants salary in San Jose, CA is 10.7% 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 San Jose?

    Entry-level Social Science Research Assistants (10th percentile) earn around $42,550 per year in San Jose, CA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $42,550.