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Occupation · SOC 19-4061

Social Science Research Assistants

There are 30,640 jobs in the U.S. Median pay is $61,990 a year. The most jobs are in New York–Newark–Jersey City, NY–NJ.

ScienceTypical education: Bachelor's degree
30,640
Jobs in the U.S.
People employed, May 2025
$61,990
Median pay a year
Middle half: $48,620–$77,760
4,900
Annual openings
10-year change: +5%
382
LCA filings, last 4 quarters
0% from the prior 4 quarters

Metro areas with the highest employment

10 of 73 metro areas with BLS data for this occupation. LCA filings: Apr 2025–Mar 2026.

Metro areaEmploymentMedian payLCA filings
New York–Newark–Jersey City, NY–NJMedian pay $65,330 · LCA filings 572,610$65,33057
Los Angeles–Long Beach–Anaheim, CAMedian pay $59,240 · LCA filings 242,290$59,24024
Washington–Arlington–Alexandria, DC–VA–MD–WVMedian pay $65,330 · LCA filings 902,170$65,33090
Atlanta–Sandy Springs–Roswell, GAMedian pay $67,440 · LCA filings 4990$67,4404
San Francisco–Oakland–Fremont, CAMedian pay $82,020 · LCA filings 26710$82,02026
San Diego–Chula Vista–Carlsbad, CAMedian pay $66,520 · LCA filings 7670$66,5207
Louisville/Jefferson County, KY–INMedian pay $82,500 · LCA filings 0570$82,5000
Phoenix–Mesa–Chandler, AZMedian pay $64,290 · LCA filings 2570$64,2902
Philadelphia–Camden–Wilmington, PA–NJ–DE–MDMedian pay $61,760 · LCA filings 13560$61,76013
Raleigh–Cary, NCMedian pay $65,330 · LCA filings 0540$65,3300

Metro areas with the highest median pay

Median pay for this occupation in each metro area, May 2025.

Metro areaMedian payEmploymentLCA filings
Flagstaff, AZEmployment 40 · LCA filings 0$86,020400
Bowling Green, KYEmployment 100 · LCA filings 0$84,6801000
Louisville/Jefferson County, KY–INEmployment 570 · LCA filings 0$82,5005700
San Francisco–Oakland–Fremont, CAEmployment 710 · LCA filings 26$82,02071026
San Jose–Sunnyvale–Santa Clara, CAEmployment 330 · LCA filings 7$75,0103307

Metro areas with the most LCA filings

Labor Condition Applications filed by employers with the U.S. Department of Labor, Apr 2025–Mar 2026. They’re used in the H-1B process and show filing history, not hires or current job openings.

Metro areaLCA filingsEmployers with LCA filingsEmployment
Washington–Arlington–Alexandria, DC–VA–MD–WVEmployers with LCA filings 40 · Employment 2,17090402,170
New York–Newark–Jersey City, NY–NJEmployers with LCA filings 35 · Employment 2,61057352,610
San Francisco–Oakland–Fremont, CAEmployers with LCA filings 4 · Employment 710264710
Los Angeles–Long Beach–Anaheim, CAEmployers with LCA filings 3 · Employment 2,2902432,290
Baltimore–Columbia–Towson, MDEmployers with LCA filings 3 · Employment 230203230

Prevailing wage levels (H-1B and PERM)

The minimum yearly wage by level. Level I is entry level and Level IV is fully competent; an H-1B employer must pay at least the level that fits the job.

Metro areaLevel ILevel IILevel IIILevel IV
New York–Newark–Jersey City, NY–NJLevel II $57,928 · Level III $71,282 · Level IV $84,656$44,554$57,928$71,282$84,656
Los Angeles–Long Beach–Anaheim, CALevel II $51,771 · Level III $63,877 · Level IV $75,982$39,666$51,771$63,877$75,982
Washington–Arlington–Alexandria, DC–VA–MD–WVLevel II $62,400 · Level III $73,320 · Level IV $84,261$51,459$62,400$73,320$84,261
Atlanta–Sandy Springs–Roswell, GALevel II $72,114 · Level III $90,626 · Level IV $109,158$53,581$72,114$90,626$109,158
San Francisco–Oakland–Fremont, CALevel II $66,477 · Level III $86,674 · Level IV $106,870$46,280$66,477$86,674$106,870
San Diego–Chula Vista–Carlsbad, CALevel II $55,702 · Level III $72,030 · Level IV $88,338$39,395$55,702$72,030$88,338
Louisville/Jefferson County, KY–INLevel II $64,002 · Level III $79,082 · Level IV $94,141$48,942$64,002$79,082$94,141
Phoenix–Mesa–Chandler, AZLevel II $55,037 · Level III $62,650 · Level IV $70,242$47,445$55,037$62,650$70,242
Philadelphia–Camden–Wilmington, PA–NJ–DE–MDLevel II $54,683 · Level III $63,107 · Level IV $71,531$46,259$54,683$63,107$71,531
Raleigh–Cary, NCLevel II $56,347 · Level III $63,315 · Level IV $70,262$49,400$56,347$63,315$70,262
Baltimore–Columbia–Towson, MDLevel II $58,552 · Level III $69,742 · Level IV $80,912$47,382$58,552$69,742$80,912

Source: U.S. Department of Labor, OFLC Online Wage Library, July 2026–June 2027.

Related majors

Majors most closely related to this occupation. International graduates: 2024–25 academic year.

MajorInternational graduatesSTEM OPT
Psychology, GeneralCIP 42.01OPT · up to 12 months3,319OPT · up to 12 months
SociologyCIP 45.11OPT · up to 12 months936OPT · up to 12 months
EconomicsCIP 45.06Varies by program9,824Varies by program
Public Policy AnalysisCIP 44.05OPT · up to 12 months702OPT · up to 12 months

See Social Science Research Assistants in every metro area

All 73 metro areas, pay in each, related majors, schools in each job market, and employers with LCA filing history.

Employers with LCA filings for this occupation

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Related occupations · Science

Occupational Health and Safety SpecialistsLife, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All OtherMedical Scientists, except EpidemiologistsBiological TechniciansChemical TechniciansEnvironmental Scientists and Specialists, Including HealthChemistsEnvironmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health

Sources: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 · BLS Employment Projections 2025-35 · U.S. Department of Labor LCA disclosure data, Apr 2025–Mar 2026 · IPEDS 2024–25. Prevailing wages: U.S. Department of Labor, OFLC Online Wage Library, July 2026–June 2027. Methodology