Social Science Research Assistants pay range in Lansing
New workers and the lowest-paid 10% earn about $54,760 a year or less, while the top 10% make $64,220 or more. The middle half of social science research assistants in Lansing earn between $54,760 and $64,220.
- $55K10th
- $55K25th
- $64KMedian
- $64K75th
- $64K90th
median average · bar = middle 50% of workers · how to read it
| Pay level | Per year | Per month | Per hour* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average | $60,820 | $5,068 | $29.24 |
| Median | $64,220 | $5,352 | $30.88 |
| Entry level (25th percentile) | $54,760 | $4,563 | $26.33 |
| Experienced (75th percentile) | $64,220 | $5,352 | $30.88 |
*Hourly figures assume 2,080 paid hours a year. Hourly to annual salary.
Social Science Research Assistants pay in Lansing vs. Michigan and the U.S.
Social science research assistants in Lansing earn about the same as the Michigan average ($60,480) and 8% less than the U.S. average ($66,140). At the median the gap is +4% against the U.S. median of $61,990.
| Area | Average | Median | 10th pct. | 90th pct. | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lansing | $60,820 | $64,220 | $54,760 | $64,220 | 370 |
| Michigan | $60,480 | $60,210 | $41,970 | $82,870 | 750 |
| 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 Lansing
On the average salary of $60,820, a single filer in Lansing takes home about $48,160 a year, or $4,013 a month and $1,852 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 Lansing's local income tax (1%).
Is Lansing a good place for social science research assistants? Pay vs. cost of living
Prices in the Lansing area are 5% below the U.S. average (BEA price parity 95.0), so the average $60,820 buys what about $64,027 would buy in a typical U.S. metro. This job pays 1.2 times the median wage of all jobs in Lansing ($52,800). A typical home costs $250,377, or 4.1 years of this average salary before tax.
Social Science Research Assistants salary in other Michigan cities
Lansing ranks 2nd of 3 Michigan metro areas for this job; Detroit pays the most ($70,060).
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
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Social Science Research Assistants salary in Lansing: questions
How much do social science research assistants make an hour in Lansing?
$29.24 an hour on average, and $30.87 at the median (BLS, May 2025).
What is the entry-level social science research assistants salary in Lansing?
The lowest-paid 10% earn about $54,760 a year and the 25th percentile is $54,760, a fair guide to starting pay.
What is the social science research assistants take-home pay in Lansing?
About $48,160 a year ($4,013 a month) for a single filer on the average salary of $60,820. Includes Lansing's local income tax (1%).
Do social science research assistants earn more in Lansing than elsewhere?
The average here is 8% 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 Lansing-East Lansing, MI (29620). Relative standard error of the mean wage: 0.8%.
- 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). Includes Lansing's local income tax (1%).
- Job concentration: location quotient 8.54, this job is 8.5 times as concentrated as in the U.S. overall.
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