Social Science Research Assistants pay range in Richmond
New workers and the lowest-paid 10% earn about $39,490 a year or less, while the top 10% make $84,640 or more. The middle half of social science research assistants in Richmond earn between $46,320 and $65,950.
- $39K10th
- $46K25th
- $49KMedian
- $66K75th
- $85K90th
median average · bar = middle 50% of workers · how to read it
| Pay level | Per year | Per month | Per hour* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average | $58,490 | $4,874 | $28.12 |
| Median | $49,060 | $4,088 | $23.59 |
| Entry level (25th percentile) | $46,320 | $3,860 | $22.27 |
| Experienced (75th percentile) | $65,950 | $5,496 | $31.71 |
*Hourly figures assume 2,080 paid hours a year. Hourly to annual salary.
Social Science Research Assistants pay in Richmond vs. Virginia and the U.S.
Social science research assistants in Richmond earn about the same as the Virginia average ($59,810) and 12% less than the U.S. average ($66,140). At the median the gap is -21% against the U.S. median of $61,990.
| Area | Average | Median | 10th pct. | 90th pct. | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Richmond | $58,490 | $49,060 | $39,490 | $84,640 | 120 |
| Virginia | $59,810 | $53,260 | $42,550 | $83,760 | 700 |
| 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 Richmond
On the average salary of $58,490, a single filer in Richmond takes home about $46,628 a year, or $3,886 a month and $1,793 every two weeks. Taxes take 20% of gross pay.
Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and state income tax (2025 rules).
Is Richmond a good place for social science research assistants? Pay vs. cost of living
Prices in the Richmond area are 2% below the U.S. average (BEA price parity 97.9), so the average $58,490 buys what about $59,770 would buy in a typical U.S. metro. This job pays 1.0 times the median wage of all jobs in Richmond ($51,460). A typical home costs $397,705, or 6.8 years of this average salary before tax.
Social Science Research Assistants salary in other Virginia cities
Richmond ranks 2nd of 3 Virginia metro areas for this job; Charlottesville pays the most ($58,660).
- Charlottesville$58,660
- Richmond$58,490
- Virginia Beach$56,620
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 Richmond: questions
How much do social science research assistants make an hour in Richmond?
$28.12 an hour on average, and $23.59 at the median (BLS, May 2025).
What is the entry-level social science research assistants salary in Richmond?
The lowest-paid 10% earn about $39,490 a year and the 25th percentile is $46,320, a fair guide to starting pay.
What is the social science research assistants take-home pay in Richmond?
About $46,628 a year ($3,886 a month) for a single filer on the average salary of $58,490.
Do social science research assistants earn more in Richmond than elsewhere?
The average here is 12% 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 Richmond, VA (40060). Relative standard error of the mean wage: 1.1%.
- 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).
- Job concentration: location quotient 0.95, this job is about as common as in the U.S. overall.
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