SOC 19-4061 · Chico, CA metro

Social Science Research Assistants Salary in Chico, CA

The average salary for social science research assistants in Chico, California is $41,790 a year ($20.09 an hour), according to BLS estimates for May 2025. The median is $36,080: half of the 50 people in this job in the Chico, CA metro area earn more than that, half earn less. That average is 37% less than the U.S. average for this job ($66,140).

$41,790average per year

$20.09 / hourMedian $36,080Take-home ≈ $34,951

  • $36K10th
  • $36K25th
  • $36KMedian
  • $36K75th
  • $59K90th

median average · bar = middle 50% of workers · how to read it

50people in this job
-37%vs U.S. average
#7 of 7California metros
101cost of living (U.S. = 100)
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Social Science Research Assistants pay range in Chico

New workers and the lowest-paid 10% earn about $36,080 a year or less, while the top 10% make $59,140 or more. The middle half of social science research assistants in Chico earn between $36,080 and $36,090.

  • $36K10th
  • $36K25th
  • $36KMedian
  • $36K75th
  • $59K90th

median average · bar = middle 50% of workers · how to read it

Pay levelPer yearPer monthPer hour*
Average$41,790$3,482$20.09
Median$36,080$3,007$17.35
Entry level (25th percentile)$36,080$3,007$17.35
Experienced (75th percentile)$36,090$3,008$17.35

*Hourly figures assume 2,080 paid hours a year. Hourly to annual salary.

Social Science Research Assistants pay in Chico vs. California and the U.S.

Social science research assistants in Chico earn 41% less than the California average ($70,260) and 37% less than the U.S. average ($66,140). At the median the gap is -42% against the U.S. median of $61,990.

AreaAverageMedian10th pct.90th pct.Jobs
Chico$41,790$36,080$36,080$59,14050
California$70,260$60,250$38,060$117,0705,300
United States$66,140$61,990$38,090$102,07030,640

State and U.S. rows: BLS statewide and national estimates, May 2025, which include rural areas.

Social Science Research Assistants salary after taxes in Chico

On the average salary of $41,790, a single filer in Chico takes home about $34,951 a year, or $2,913 a month and $1,344 every two weeks. Taxes take 16% of gross pay.

Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and state income tax (2025 rules). California State Disability Insurance (1.3% of wages, paid by employees) is not included.

California paycheck calculator: try your own salary

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Is Chico a good place for social science research assistants? Pay vs. cost of living

Prices in the Chico area are in line with the U.S. average (BEA price parity 101.2), so the average $41,790 buys what about $41,296 would buy in a typical U.S. metro. This job pays 0.8 times the median wage of all jobs in Chico ($48,050). A typical home costs $401,581, or 9.6 years of this average salary before tax.

See what $41,790 is worth in another city

Social Science Research Assistants salary in other California cities

Chico ranks 7th of 7 California metro areas for this job; San Francisco pays the most ($86,880).

All Social Science Research Assistants salaries in California

Highest-paying cities for social science research assistants

Atlanta, GA pays this job the most of the metro areas we cover ($90,820).

Social Science Research Assistants salary by city

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Social Science Research Assistants salary in Chico: questions

How much do social science research assistants make an hour in Chico?

$20.09 an hour on average, and $17.35 at the median (BLS, May 2025).

What is the entry-level social science research assistants salary in Chico?

The lowest-paid 10% earn about $36,080 a year and the 25th percentile is $36,080, a fair guide to starting pay.

What is the social science research assistants take-home pay in Chico?

About $34,951 a year ($2,913 a month) for a single filer on the average salary of $41,790. California State Disability Insurance (1.3% of wages, paid by employees) is not included.

Do social science research assistants earn more in Chico than elsewhere?

The average here is 37% less than the U.S. average for this job ($66,140).

Sources and how to read this page

  • Wages: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates for metropolitan areas. SOC code 19-4061; area Chico, CA (17020). Relative standard error of the mean wage: 4.8%.
  • U.S. and statewide figures: BLS OEWS national and state estimates, May 2025, every employer including rural areas.
  • Cost of living: Bureau of Economic Analysis regional price parities (RPP), 2024; 100 = U.S. average.
  • Home value: Zillow Home Value Index. Typical-wage figure: OEWS all occupations, same metro.
  • Take-home pay: Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and state income tax (2025 rules). California State Disability Insurance (1.3% of wages, paid by employees) is not included.
  • Job concentration: location quotient 2.93, this job is 2.9 times as concentrated as in the U.S. overall.

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