SOC 19-4061 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Social Science Research Assistants — Texas
Texas · 4 metro areas compared
The median wage for Social Science Research Assistants in Texas is $58,070 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 Texas is $58,070 per year, close to the national median of $61,990 for the same occupation. Pay ranges from under $38,120 at the tenth percentile to more than $108,730 at the ninetieth, with the interquartile range running from $44,950 to $77,130.
Employment stands at 1,180, or 0.1 jobs per thousand held locally. Among the 45 states with published data for this occupation, Texas ranks 22nd by median wage. San Antonio leads the state's metro areas for this occupation, at $67,780. Set against every other occupation measured in the same area, it ranks 383rd of 794 by median pay.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $38,120 | −38.5% |
| 25th | $44,950 | −27.5% |
| Median (50th) | $58,070 | −6.3% |
| 75th | $77,130 | +24.4% |
| 90th | $108,730 | +75.4% |
| Mean | $65,950 | +6.4% |
Highest-paying metro areas in Texas
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | San Antonio | $67,780 | 90 | |
| 2 | Dallas | $66,200 | 250 | |
| 3 | Austin | $64,900 | 450 | |
| 4 | Houston | $49,000 | 180 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Texas run 2.9% below the national average, so the median of $58,070 goes as far as $59,804 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 3.5% below the national median in real terms.
Published median
$58,070as reported by BLSLocal price level
97.1US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$59,804US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $58,070 a year, 6.3% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $38,120 to $108,730 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 1,180 jobs in this occupation.
- It ranks 22nd of 45 states for this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is San Antonio, at $67,780.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Social Science Research Assistants in Texas?
The median annual wage is $58,070, or $27.92 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 Texas is 6.3% lower. 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 Texas earns more than $108,730 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $38,120 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 Antonio, at $67,780 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 1,180 jobs in this occupation in Texas. 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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