Social Science Research Assistants pay range in Lexington
New workers and the lowest-paid 10% earn about $42,940 a year or less, while the top 10% make $66,390 or more. The middle half of social science research assistants in Lexington earn between $51,780 and $66,390.
- $43K10th
- $52K25th
- $52KMedian
- $66K75th
- $66K90th
median average · bar = middle 50% of workers · how to read it
| Pay level | Per year | Per month | Per hour* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average | $56,210 | $4,684 | $27.02 |
| Median | $51,780 | $4,315 | $24.89 |
| Entry level (25th percentile) | $51,780 | $4,315 | $24.89 |
| Experienced (75th percentile) | $66,390 | $5,532 | $31.92 |
*Hourly figures assume 2,080 paid hours a year. Hourly to annual salary.
Social Science Research Assistants pay in Lexington vs. Kentucky and the U.S.
Social science research assistants in Lexington earn 20% less than the Kentucky average ($70,300) and 15% less than the U.S. average ($66,140). At the median the gap is -16% against the U.S. median of $61,990.
| Area | Average | Median | 10th pct. | 90th pct. | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lexington | $56,210 | $51,780 | $42,940 | $66,390 | 370 |
| Kentucky | $70,300 | $66,390 | $45,050 | $106,590 | 1,190 |
| 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 Lexington
On the average salary of $56,210, a single filer in Lexington takes home about $43,949 a year, or $3,662 a month and $1,690 every two weeks. Taxes take 22% of gross pay.
Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and state income tax (2026 rules). Includes Lexington's local income tax (2.75%).
Is Lexington a good place for social science research assistants? Pay vs. cost of living
Prices in the Lexington area are 7% below the U.S. average (BEA price parity 92.9), so the average $56,210 buys what about $60,513 would buy in a typical U.S. metro. This job pays 1.1 times the median wage of all jobs in Lexington ($48,620). A typical home costs $327,671, or 5.8 years of this average salary before tax.
Social Science Research Assistants salary in other Kentucky cities
Lexington ranks 3rd of 3 Kentucky metro areas for this job; Bowling Green pays the most ($88,200).
- Bowling Green$88,200
- Louisville$79,230
- Lexington$56,210
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
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Social Science Research Assistants salary in Lexington: questions
How much do social science research assistants make an hour in Lexington?
$27.03 an hour on average, and $24.89 at the median (BLS, May 2025).
What is the entry-level social science research assistants salary in Lexington?
The lowest-paid 10% earn about $42,940 a year and the 25th percentile is $51,780, a fair guide to starting pay.
What is the social science research assistants take-home pay in Lexington?
About $43,949 a year ($3,662 a month) for a single filer on the average salary of $56,210. Includes Lexington's local income tax (2.75%).
Do social science research assistants earn more in Lexington than elsewhere?
The average here is 15% 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 Lexington-Fayette, KY (30460). Relative standard error of the mean wage: 1.6%.
- 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 (2026 rules). Includes Lexington's local income tax (2.75%).
- Job concentration: location quotient 6.60, this job is 6.6 times as concentrated as in the U.S. overall.
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