Social Science Research Assistants pay range in Pittsburgh
New workers and the lowest-paid 10% earn about $43,440 a year or less, while the top 10% make $73,670 or more. The middle half of social science research assistants in Pittsburgh earn between $44,710 and $60,740.
- $43K10th
- $45K25th
- $50KMedian
- $61K75th
- $74K90th
median average · bar = middle 50% of workers · how to read it
| Pay level | Per year | Per month | Per hour* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average | $56,390 | $4,699 | $27.11 |
| Median | $50,070 | $4,172 | $24.07 |
| Entry level (25th percentile) | $44,710 | $3,726 | $21.50 |
| Experienced (75th percentile) | $60,740 | $5,062 | $29.20 |
*Hourly figures assume 2,080 paid hours a year. Hourly to annual salary.
Social Science Research Assistants pay in Pittsburgh vs. Pennsylvania and the U.S.
Social science research assistants in Pittsburgh earn 6% less than the Pennsylvania average ($60,080) and 15% less than the U.S. average ($66,140). At the median the gap is -19% against the U.S. median of $61,990.
| Area | Average | Median | 10th pct. | 90th pct. | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pittsburgh | $56,390 | $50,070 | $43,440 | $73,670 | 170 |
| Pennsylvania | $60,080 | $54,610 | $44,710 | $81,640 | 860 |
| 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 Pittsburgh
On the average salary of $56,390, a single filer in Pittsburgh takes home about $45,758 a year, or $3,813 a month and $1,760 every two weeks. Taxes take 19% of gross pay.
Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and state income tax (2025 rules). Local earned income taxes (for example Philadelphia's wage tax) are not included.
Is Pittsburgh a good place for social science research assistants? Pay vs. cost of living
Prices in the Pittsburgh area are 5% below the U.S. average (BEA price parity 94.7), so the average $56,390 buys what about $59,564 would buy in a typical U.S. metro. This job pays 1.0 times the median wage of all jobs in Pittsburgh ($49,650). A typical home costs $231,356, or 4.1 years of this average salary before tax.
Social Science Research Assistants salary in other Pennsylvania cities
Pittsburgh ranks 3rd of 3 Pennsylvania metro areas for this job; Philadelphia pays the most ($63,190).
- Philadelphia$63,190
- Harrisburg$58,920
- Pittsburgh$56,390
All Social Science Research Assistants salaries in Pennsylvania
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 Pittsburgh: questions
How much do social science research assistants make an hour in Pittsburgh?
$27.11 an hour on average, and $24.07 at the median (BLS, May 2025).
What is the entry-level social science research assistants salary in Pittsburgh?
The lowest-paid 10% earn about $43,440 a year and the 25th percentile is $44,710, a fair guide to starting pay.
What is the social science research assistants take-home pay in Pittsburgh?
About $45,758 a year ($3,813 a month) for a single filer on the average salary of $56,390. Local earned income taxes (for example Philadelphia's wage tax) are not included.
Do social science research assistants earn more in Pittsburgh 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 Pittsburgh, PA (38300). Relative standard error of the mean wage: 1.8%.
- 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). Local earned income taxes (for example Philadelphia's wage tax) are not included.
- Job concentration: location quotient 0.77, this job is less common than in the U.S. overall (location quotient 0.77).
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