Social Science Research Assistants
SOC Code: 19-4061 Job Zone 4: Considerable Preparation Needed
Assist social scientists in laboratory, survey, and other social science research. May help prepare findings for publication and assist in laboratory analysis, quality control, or data management.
Advertisement
Prevailing Wage Levels (National)
DOL/OFLC prevailing wage thresholds for Social Science Research Assistants. Hourly rates x 2,080 = annual.
FY2027 Weighted Lottery Impact
| Level | Lottery Entries | Est. Selection Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Level I (Entry) | 1 entry | ~16% |
| Level II (Qualified) | 2 entries | ~31% |
| Level III (Experienced) | 3 entries | ~45% |
| Level IV (Expert) | 4 entries | ~61% |
Prevailing Wages by Metro Area
| Metro Area | Level I | Level II | Level III | Level IV |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ogden, UT | $46,634 | $65,582 | $84,552 | $103,501 |
| Provo-Orem-Lehi, UT | $46,342 | $65,354 | $84,344 | $103,355 |
| Wasatch Front Fringe Utah nonmetropolitan area | $46,405 | $65,395 | $84,365 | $103,355 |
| Morgantown, WV | $42,286 | $62,546 | $82,784 | $103,043 |
| Gainesville, GA | $48,048 | $66,310 | $84,594 | $102,856 |
| Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA | $48,110 | $66,310 | $84,490 | $102,690 |
| Rome, GA | $47,757 | $65,978 | $84,198 | $102,419 |
| Columbus, GA-AL | $47,050 | $65,354 | $83,658 | $101,962 |
| Macon-Bibb County, GA | $46,218 | $64,605 | $82,992 | $101,379 |
| Middle Georgia nonmetropolitan area | $45,302 | $63,773 | $82,264 | $100,734 |
H-1B Filing Data
Top H-1B Employers
| Employer | Filings | Avg Wage |
|---|---|---|
| University of Michigan | 12 | $57,838 |
| Benten Technologies Inc. | 2 | $82,000 |
| Institute for the Study of War, Inc. | 2 | $65,000 |
| Inter-American Dialogue | 2 | $52,325 |
| Fair Housing Advocates of Northern California (FHANC) | 1 | $65,229 |
| Foundation for the Defense of Democracies Inc. | 1 | $75,000 |
| American Center for International Labor Solidarity | 1 | $86,384 |
| Texas A&M AgriLife Research | 1 | $45,000 |
| Texas A&M Engineering Experiment Station | 1 | $50,000 |
| Texas A&M University | 1 | $50,000 |
Filing Trend
| Year | Filings | Avg Wage |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 1 | $65,000 |
| 2022 | 5 | $53,398 |
| 2023 | 5 | $59,598 |
| 2024 | 8 | $70,584 |
| 2025 | 8 | $66,146 |
| 2026 | 1 | $49,000 |
Key Skills
| Skill | Importance | Level |
|---|---|---|
| Reading Comprehension | 4.0 | |
| Active Listening | 3.8 | |
| Critical Thinking | 3.8 | |
| Writing | 3.8 | |
| Complex Problem Solving | 3.4 | |
| Speaking | 3.4 | |
| Science | 3.2 | |
| Mathematics | 3.1 | |
| Judgment and Decision Making | 3.1 | |
| Active Learning | 3.1 |
Knowledge Areas
| Knowledge | Importance |
|---|---|
| English Language | 4.2 |
| Computers and Electronics | 3.5 |
| Administrative | 3.2 |
| Mathematics | 3.1 |
| Customer and Personal Service | 3.0 |
| Education and Training | 2.9 |
| Psychology | 2.5 |
| Administration and Management | 2.5 |
Education Requirements
| Education Level | % of Workers |
|---|---|
| Bachelor's degree | 52.7% |
| Doctoral degree | 36.7% |
| Post-secondary certificate | 8.6% |
| Master's degree | 1.6% |
Typical Tasks
- Prepare, manipulate, and manage extensive databases.
- Provide assistance with the preparation of project-related reports, manuscripts, and presentations.
- Perform descriptive and multivariate statistical analyses of data, using computer software.
- Verify the accuracy and validity of data entered in databases, correcting any errors.
- Prepare tables, graphs, fact sheets, and written reports summarizing research results.
- Develop and implement research quality control procedures.
- Conduct internet-based and library research.
- Present research findings to groups of people.
Technology Skills
Green = Hot Technology in demand
Adobe Illustrator Adobe InDesign C++ ESRI ArcGIS software Extensible markup language XML IBM SPSS Statistics JavaScript Microsoft Access Microsoft Excel Microsoft Office software Microsoft Outlook Microsoft PowerPoint Microsoft SQL Server Microsoft Visual Basic Microsoft Word
Calculate your wage level for Social Science Research Assistants →
Advertisement
H-1B Guides & Resources
Looking for an H-1B immigration attorney?
Find experienced immigration lawyers in our attorney directory.