Social Science Researcher Salary in the United States

How much does a Social Science Researcher make in the United States?

As of January 01, 2026, the average salary for a Social Science Researcher in the United States is $41,494 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $20.

However, a Social Science Researcher's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $47,556
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $37,917 to $44,667
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $34,661
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View as table View as graph 25% $37,917 10% $34,661 90% $47,556 75% $44,667 $41,494 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click

Social Science Researcher Salaries by Percentile

Annual
Salary
Monthly
Pay
Weekly
Pay
Hourly
Wage
75th Percentile $44,667 $3,722 $859 $21
Average $41,494 $3,458 $798 $20
25th Percentile $37,917 $3,160 $729 $18
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Key Factors That Influence Social Science Researcher Salaries

A Social Science Researcher's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Social Science Researcher Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Social Science Researcher's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here's how the average salary grows at different career stages:

  • Entry-Level (less than 1 year): $41,990
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $42,585
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $43,081
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $43,230
  • Expert (over 8 years): $43,329
Levels Salary
Entry Level Social Science Researcher$41,990
Intermediate Level Social Science Researcher$42,585
Senior Level Social Science Researcher$43,081
Specialist Level Social Science Researcher$43,230
Expert Level Social Science Researcher$43,329
$41,990 0 yr
$42,585 < 2 yrs
$43,081 2-4 yrs
$43,230 5-8 yrs
$43,329 > 8 yrs
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What Am I Worth?

Top Paying Cities for Social Science Researchers

Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:

  • San Jose: $52,336
  • San Francisco: $51,821
  • Oakland: $50,672

What Skills Can Increase a Social Science Researcher's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Customer Service (Mentioned in 5.11% Job Postings): Customer service is the provision of service to customers before, during and after a purchase. The perception of success of such interactions is dependent on employees "who can adjust themselves to the personality of the guest". Customer service concerns the priority an organization assigns to customer service relative to components such as product innovation and pricing. In this sense, an organization that values good customer service may spend more money in training employees than the average organization or may proactively interview customers for feedback. From the point of view of an overall sales process engineering effort, customer service plays an important role in an organization's ability to generate income and revenue. From that perspective, customer service should be included as part of an overall approach to systematic improvement. One good customer service experience can change the entire perception a customer holds towards the organization.
  • Credit Card (Mentioned in 3.96% Job Postings): A credit card is a type of credit facility, provided by banks that allow customers to borrow funds within a pre-approved credit limit.
  • Accounting Software (Mentioned in 1.1% Job Postings): Accounting software makes it easier for business owners to manage financial procedures, performing financial tasks correctly and quickly.
See More Skills
Skills Demand Percentage
Customer Service 5.11%
Credit Card 3.96%
Accounting Software 1.1%
What skills can make your compensation higher?
Mastering certain specialized skills can lead to a significant increase in pay. Here are examples of skills and the potential impact they can have on a Social Science Researcher's salary.
  • Property Management: Can increase your salary by up to 24%.
  • Process Improvement: Can increase your salary by up to 11%.
  • Innovation: Can increase your salary by up to 9%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Property Management
$51,452
24%
Process Improvement
$46,058
11%
Innovation
$45,228
9%
Back Office
$45,228
9%
Coordination
$44,813
8%
Analysis
$43,983
6%
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Social Science Researcher Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Social Science Researcher's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.

Last Updated on January 01, 2026

Salary Trends for Social Science Researcher

Salaries for a Social Science Researcher can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $42,204 in 2023 to around $41,231 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Social Science Researcher salary trends, .

Average Annual Salary of Social Science Researcher Over Time

2022
$???
2023
$42,204
2024
$41,507
2025
$41,231
2026
$???
2027
$???
Year Average Annual Salary
2022
View More
2023 $42,204
2024 $41,507
2025 $41,231
2026
View More
2027
View More

Most common benefits for Social Science Researcher

Social Security
401(k)
Disability
Healthcare
Pension
Time Off (days)
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Common company salaries for Social Science Researcher

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Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Social Science Researcher job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.

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Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

Salary.com provides salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons using data from employer job postings and third-party sources.

We offer detailed salary information across multiple percentiles for your reference. (Click here to learn Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial for Achieving Pay Equity.)

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