SOC 19-4061 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Social Science Research Assistants — San Diego
San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA · 6 metro areas compared
At $66,520, median pay for Social Science Research Assistants in San Diego, CA tracks the national median of $61,990 closely.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
At $66,520, median pay for Social Science Research Assistants in San Diego, CA tracks the national median of $61,990 closely. The middle half of workers in this occupation earn between $38,150 and $86,160. The lowest tenth earn under $38,140, while the highest tenth earn more than $129,160.
Employment stands at 670, or 0.4 jobs per thousand held locally. San Francisco leads the state's metro areas for this occupation, at $82,020. Set against every other occupation measured in the same area, it ranks 350th of 671 by median pay.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $38,140 | −38.5% |
| 25th | $38,150 | −38.5% |
| Median (50th) | $66,520 | +7.3% |
| 75th | $86,160 | +39.0% |
| 90th | $129,160 | +108.4% |
| Mean | $72,190 | +16.5% |
Other metro areas in California
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | San Francisco | $82,020 | 710 | |
| 2 | San Jose | $75,010 | 330 | |
| 3 | Los Angeles | $59,240 | 2,290 | |
| 4 | Sacramento | $54,310 | 180 | |
| 5 | Riverside | $36,710 | 100 | |
| 6 | Chico | $36,080 | 50 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in San Diego run 10.7% above the national average, so the median of $66,520 buys what $60,090 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way the gap against the national median narrows to 3.1% below the national median in real terms.
Published median
$66,520as reported by BLSLocal price level
110.7US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$60,090US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $66,520 a year, 7.3% above the national median.
- Published pay spans $38,140 to $129,160 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 670 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is San Francisco, at $82,020.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Social Science Research Assistants in San Diego, CA?
The median annual wage is $66,520, or $31.98 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 San Diego, CA is 7.3% 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 San Diego, CA earns more than $129,160 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $38,140 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 San Francisco, at $82,020 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 670 jobs in this occupation in San Diego, CA. 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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