How long does it take to become a social science research assistant?

Typically about four years for the degree. That is the usual route rather than a rule — people arrive by other paths all the time.

How much do social science research assistants make?

The US median is $61,990 a year, meaning half earn more and half less. Pay varies widely by state, employer and experience.

Do you need a degree to become a social science research assistant?

Yes — a degree is the usual way in.

Where can you train to become a social science research assistant?

1,762 US colleges, community colleges and trade schools award credentials in a matching program. See which ones →

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How to become a social science research assistant

Science · SOC 19-4061

$61,990US median pay, 2025

+5%Projected growth, 2025–35

4,900Openings per year

DegreeUsual way in

How you get in

A degree is the usual way in.

Bachelor's degree
Work as a social science research assistant

Programs that lead to this job

These are the federal program codes (CIP) that the Department of Education maps to this occupation, and how many US colleges, community colleges or trade schools report awarding credentials in each.

Program	Code	Schools
Psychology, General	CIP 42.0101	1,563
Political Science and Government, General	CIP 45.1001	1,181
Sociology, General	CIP 45.1101	1,050
Economics, General	CIP 45.0601	657
Social Sciences, General	CIP 45.0101	340
Econometrics and Quantitative Economics	CIP 45.0603	275
Public Policy Analysis, General	CIP 44.0501	157
Behavioral Sciences	CIP 30.1701	106
Development Economics and International Development	CIP 45.0604	44
Applied Economics	CIP 45.0602	36
Health Policy Analysis	CIP 44.0503	24
Political Economy	CIP 45.1004	21
History and Political Science	CIP 30.4601	14
International Policy Analysis	CIP 44.0504	14
Psychometrics and Quantitative Psychology	CIP 42.2708	12
Education Policy Analysis	CIP 44.0502	11
Applied/Public Sociology	CIP 45.1102	9
Survey Research/Methodology	CIP 45.0103	1

See the 1,762 schools that offer these programs →

Common questions

How long does it take to become a social science research assistant?: Typically about four years for the degree. That is the usual route rather than a rule — people arrive by other paths all the time.
How much do social science research assistants make?: The US median is $61,990 a year, meaning half earn more and half less. Pay varies widely by state, employer and experience.
Do you need a degree to become a social science research assistant?: Yes — a degree is the usual way in.
Where can you train to become a social science research assistant?: 1,762 US colleges, community colleges and trade schools award credentials in a matching program. See which ones →

Pay and growth are national figures. What you earn depends on where you work, your employer and your experience, and these are projections rather than promises. Education requirements describe how most people enter the job, not a rule — plenty of people take another route.

Pay, growth, openings and entry requirements: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections 2025–35. Program-to-occupation mapping: NCES CIP–SOC crosswalk (2020/2018). School counts: IPEDS completions, 2022–23.

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