Social Science Research Assistants pay range in Portland
New workers and the lowest-paid 10% earn about $47,980 a year or less, while the top 10% make $85,120 or more. The middle half of social science research assistants in Portland earn between $55,810 and $74,360.
- $48K10th
- $56K25th
- $60KMedian
- $74K75th
- $85K90th
median average · bar = middle 50% of workers · how to read it
| Pay level | Per year | Per month | Per hour* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average | $65,370 | $5,448 | $31.43 |
| Median | $59,850 | $4,988 | $28.77 |
| Entry level (25th percentile) | $55,810 | $4,651 | $26.83 |
| Experienced (75th percentile) | $74,360 | $6,197 | $35.75 |
*Hourly figures assume 2,080 paid hours a year. Hourly to annual salary.
Social Science Research Assistants pay in Portland vs. Oregon and the U.S.
Social science research assistants in Portland earn 7% more than the Oregon average ($61,180) and about the same as the U.S. average ($66,140). At the median the gap is -3% against the U.S. median of $61,990.
| Area | Average | Median | 10th pct. | 90th pct. | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Portland | $65,370 | $59,850 | $47,980 | $85,120 | 100 |
| Oregon | $61,180 | $56,770 | $48,150 | $85,110 | 220 |
| 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 Portland
On the average salary of $65,370, a single filer in Portland takes home about $50,038 a year, or $4,170 a month and $1,925 every two weeks. Taxes take 23% of gross pay.
The Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA metro area crosses state lines, so take-home pay depends on the state where you work:
| State | Per year | Per month |
|---|---|---|
| Working in WA | $54,705 | $4,559 |
| Working in OR | $50,038 | $4,170 |
Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and state income tax (2025 rules). Portland-area Metro and Multnomah County taxes and the 0.1% statewide transit tax are not included.
Is Portland a good place for social science research assistants? Pay vs. cost of living
Prices in the Portland area are 5% above the U.S. average (BEA price parity 105.4), so the average $65,370 buys what about $62,009 would buy in a typical U.S. metro. This job pays 1.0 times the median wage of all jobs in Portland ($60,690). A typical home costs $552,022, or 8.4 years of this average salary before tax.
Social Science Research Assistants salary in other Oregon cities
Portland ranks 1st of 2 Oregon metro areas for this job, the best-paid in the state.
- Portland$65,370
- Eugene$56,050
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 Portland: questions
How much do social science research assistants make an hour in Portland?
$31.43 an hour on average, and $28.78 at the median (BLS, May 2025).
What is the entry-level social science research assistants salary in Portland?
The lowest-paid 10% earn about $47,980 a year and the 25th percentile is $55,810, a fair guide to starting pay.
What is the social science research assistants take-home pay in Portland?
About $50,038 a year ($4,170 a month) for a single filer on the average salary of $65,370. Portland-area Metro and Multnomah County taxes and the 0.1% statewide transit tax are not included.
Do social science research assistants earn more in Portland 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 Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA (38900). Relative standard error of the mean wage: 3.0%.
- 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). Portland-area Metro and Multnomah County taxes and the 0.1% statewide transit tax are not included.
- Job concentration: location quotient 0.41, this job is less common than in the U.S. overall (location quotient 0.41).
Read the full methodology. Spotted an error? Tell us.