Social Science Research Assistants pay range in Indianapolis
New workers and the lowest-paid 10% earn about $33,310 a year or less, while the top 10% make $138,830 or more. The middle half of social science research assistants in Indianapolis earn between $40,060 and $78,750.
- $33K10th
- $40K25th
- $57KMedian
- $79K75th
- $139K90th
median average · bar = middle 50% of workers · how to read it
| Pay level | Per year | Per month | Per hour* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average | $66,560 | $5,547 | $32.00 |
| Median | $57,020 | $4,752 | $27.41 |
| Entry level (25th percentile) | $40,060 | $3,338 | $19.26 |
| Experienced (75th percentile) | $78,750 | $6,562 | $37.86 |
*Hourly figures assume 2,080 paid hours a year. Hourly to annual salary.
Social Science Research Assistants pay in Indianapolis vs. Indiana and the U.S.
Social science research assistants in Indianapolis earn 7% more than the Indiana average ($62,450) and about the same as the U.S. average ($66,140). At the median the gap is -8% against the U.S. median of $61,990.
| Area | Average | Median | 10th pct. | 90th pct. | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Indianapolis | $66,560 | $57,020 | $33,310 | $138,830 | 60 |
| Indiana | $62,450 | $57,020 | $30,580 | $105,750 | 210 |
| United States | $66,140 | $61,990 | $38,090 | $102,070 | 30,640 |
State and U.S. rows: BLS statewide and national estimates, May 2025, which include rural areas.
Social Science Research Assistants salary after taxes in Indianapolis
On the average salary of $66,560, a single filer in Indianapolis takes home about $52,364 a year, or $4,364 a month and $2,014 every two weeks. Taxes take 21% of gross pay.
Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and state income tax (2025 rules). Includes Indianapolis's local income tax (2.02%).
Is Indianapolis a good place for social science research assistants? Pay vs. cost of living
Prices in the Indianapolis area are 4% below the U.S. average (BEA price parity 95.7), so the average $66,560 buys what about $69,554 would buy in a typical U.S. metro. This job pays 1.2 times the median wage of all jobs in Indianapolis ($49,340). A typical home costs $295,921, or 4.4 years of this average salary before tax.
Social Science Research Assistants salary in nearby metro areas
- Cincinnati, OH$66,580
- Louisville, KY$79,230
- Lexington, KY$56,210
- Chicago, IL$68,370
- Bowling Green, KY$88,200
- Ann Arbor, MI$51,060
Highest-paying cities for social science research assistants
Atlanta, GA pays this job the most of the metro areas we cover ($90,820).
- Atlanta, GA$90,820
- Bowling Green, KY$88,200
- San Francisco, CA$86,880
- Oklahoma City, OK$80,710
- Flagstaff, AZ$80,680
Does this match what you are paid?
Anonymous, no account. Results update as visitors answer.
Share your pay anonymously
Social Science Research Assistants salary in Indianapolis: questions
How much do social science research assistants make an hour in Indianapolis?
$32.00 an hour on average, and $27.41 at the median (BLS, May 2025).
What is the entry-level social science research assistants salary in Indianapolis?
The lowest-paid 10% earn about $33,310 a year and the 25th percentile is $40,060, a fair guide to starting pay.
What is the social science research assistants take-home pay in Indianapolis?
About $52,364 a year ($4,364 a month) for a single filer on the average salary of $66,560. Includes Indianapolis's local income tax (2.02%).
Do social science research assistants earn more in Indianapolis than elsewhere?
The average here is about the same as 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 Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN (26900). Relative standard error of the mean wage: 6.5%.
- 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). Includes Indianapolis's local income tax (2.02%).
- Job concentration: location quotient 0.27, this job is less common than in the U.S. overall (location quotient 0.27).
Read the full methodology. Spotted an error? Tell us.