SOC 19-4061 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Social Science Research Assistants — Kentucky
Kentucky · 3 metro areas compared
The median wage for Social Science Research Assistants in Kentucky is $66,390 per year, close to the national median of $61,990 for the same occupation.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
The median wage for Social Science Research Assistants in Kentucky is $66,390 per year, close to the national median of $61,990 for the same occupation. Half of workers earn between $51,750 and $82,500. Beyond that band, the tenth percentile sits at $45,050 and the ninetieth at $106,590.
The area has 1,190 jobs in this occupation, which works out to 0.6 of every thousand jobs. Kentucky ranks number 5th out of 45 states by median pay for this occupation. Within the state, Bowling Green records the highest median at $84,680. Of the 699 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 221st.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $45,050 | −27.3% |
| 25th | $51,750 | −16.5% |
| Median (50th) | $66,390 | +7.1% |
| 75th | $82,500 | +33.1% |
| 90th | $106,590 | +71.9% |
| Mean | $70,300 | +13.4% |
Highest-paying metro areas in Kentucky
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bowling Green | $84,680 | 100 | |
| 2 | Louisville/Jefferson County | $82,500 | 570 | |
| 3 | Lexington | $51,780 | 370 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Kentucky run 9.8% below the national average, so the median of $66,390 goes as far as $73,603 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 18.7% above the national median in real terms.
Published median
$66,390as reported by BLSLocal price level
90.2US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$73,603US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $66,390 a year, 7.1% above the national median.
- Published pay spans $45,050 to $106,590 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 1,190 jobs in this occupation.
- It ranks 5th of 45 states for this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Bowling Green, at $84,680.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Social Science Research Assistants in Kentucky?
The median annual wage is $66,390, or $31.92 per hour, as of May 2025. Half of the workers in this occupation earn more than that and half earn less.
Is that higher than the national average?
The national median for this occupation is $61,990, so pay in Kentucky is 7.1% higher. These figures are medians, not averages: half of workers fall on each side.
What do the top earners make?
The top tenth of this occupation in Kentucky earns more than $106,590 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $45,050 per year. The survey measures wages actually paid rather than experience level, so this reflects the lowest-paid tenth rather than entry-level pay specifically.
Which area nearby pays the most?
The highest median for this occupation among the metro areas covered is in Bowling Green, at $84,680 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 1,190 jobs in this occupation in Kentucky. Self-employed workers are not included.
Source and methodology
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 Wages are for wage-and-salary workers; self-employed workers are not included. Salary Explorer is an independent project. It is not affiliated with, or endorsed by, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics or any government agency. Full methodology.
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