SOC 19-4061 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Social Science Research Assistants — Phoenix
Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ · 2 metro areas compared
The median wage for Social Science Research Assistants in Phoenix, AZ is $64,290 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 Phoenix, AZ is $64,290 per year, close to the national median of $61,990 for the same occupation. Half of workers earn between $47,970 and $64,290. Beyond that band, the tenth percentile sits at $47,140 and the ninetieth at $85,810.
The area has 570 jobs in this occupation, which works out to 0.2 of every thousand jobs. Within the state, Flagstaff records the highest median at $86,020. Of the 647 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 277th.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $47,140 | −24.0% |
| 25th | $47,970 | −22.6% |
| Median (50th) | $64,290 | +3.7% |
| 75th | $64,290 | +3.7% |
| 90th | $85,810 | +38.4% |
| Mean | $62,720 | +1.2% |
Other metro areas in Arizona
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Phoenix sit close to the national average, so $64,290 is worth roughly its face value against pay elsewhere.
Published median
$64,290as reported by BLSLocal price level
100.7US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$63,843US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $64,290 a year, 3.7% above the national median.
- Published pay spans $47,140 to $85,810 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 570 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Flagstaff, at $86,020.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Social Science Research Assistants in Phoenix, AZ?
The median annual wage is $64,290, or $30.91 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 Phoenix, AZ is 3.7% 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 Phoenix, AZ earns more than $85,810 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $47,140 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 Flagstaff, at $86,020 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 570 jobs in this occupation in Phoenix, AZ. 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.
Explore related data