Social Science Research Assistants · SOC 19-4061
Social Science Research Assistants Salary in the Ann Arbor Metro Area
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025Ann Arbor, MI metro area
Figures describe the Ann Arbor, MI metropolitan statistical area as defined by BLS/OMB — the whole multi-county metro region, not Ann Arbor city limits.
Social Science Research Assistants in the Ann Arbor, MI metro area earned a median of $43,060 per year ($20.70 per hour) as of the May 2025 BLS OEWS estimates. Pay ranged from $41,970 at the 10th percentile to $69,300 at the 90th. BLS estimates 190 people work in this occupation in the area.
Pay distribution
Half of Social Science Research Assistants in the Ann Arbor metro area earn more than $43,060 per year, half earn less; the middle half earn between $41,970 and $49,520.
| Wage | 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual | $41,970 | $41,970 | $43,060 | $49,520 | $69,300 |
| Hourly | $20.18 | $20.18 | $20.70 | $23.81 | $33.32 |
A percentile is a cut point: 25% of workers in this occupation and area earn less than the 25th-percentile wage. The median is the 50th percentile — half earn less, half earn more.
How this area compares
- Ann Arbor metro areathis metro area$43,060 median for Ann Arbor metro area; middle half earns $41,970 to $49,520
- Michiganstate (MI)$60,210 median for Michigan; middle half earns $49,520 to $64,220
- United Statesnational$61,990 median for United States; middle half earns $48,620 to $77,760
Bars span the 25th–75th percentile (the middle half of workers); the tick marks the median.
The median here is −28% vs Michigan overall and −31% vs the U.S. median for this occupation.
Where this metro sits nationally
Each dot is one metro area with a published median — hover any dot for the name and figure. Metros without published estimates are not drawn.
The Ann Arbor metro area has the 66th-highest published median for this occupation among the 72 metro areas where BLS publishes it. Higher medians often track higher living costs — this is a pay comparison, not a ranking of where the job is “best”.
Other metro areas in Michigan
Metro areas in the same state with published May 2025 medians for social science research assistants, highest first. Areas without published estimates are not listed.
- Ann Arbor metro areathis page$43,060 median for Ann Arbor metro area; middle half earns $41,970 to $49,520
- $64,220 median for Lansing metro area; middle half earns $54,760 to $64,220
- $62,670 median for Detroit metro area; middle half earns $48,530 to $82,870
Bars span the 25th–75th percentile (the middle half of workers); the tick marks the median.
Keep exploring
Other occupations in the same SOC group with published medians here, largest employment first:
Highest-paying metro areas for social science research assistantss · Highest-paying occupations in Ann Arbor Metro
About this estimate
These figures are survey estimates from the BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics program — modeled from employer reports collected over three years and benchmarked to May 2025. They describe what employers in this area currently pay across all industries, not what any individual worker will be offered.
Employment counts wage-and-salary jobs in the occupation (self-employed workers are excluded). Estimates carry sampling error; percentile wages are rounded by BLS. Some values are suppressed by BLS for confidentiality or quality — suppressed values appear here as “not published”, never as zero. Read the full methodology.
About this data. Estimates are from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics program, May 2025 release, retrieved from bls.gov/oes/tables.htm on July 24, 2026. OEWS estimates describe metropolitan/nonmetropolitan areas and states — not city limits — and are not designed for year-over-year comparisons. See BLS methodology, our plain-English methodology, and sources. CitySalaryData is independent and not affiliated with BLS.