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.
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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 |
|---|---|---|
| THE SPHERE INSTITUTE | 169 | $83,904 |
| New York University | 29 | $70,160 |
| Johns Hopkins University | 25 | $69,090 |
| THE TRUSTEES OF PRINCETON UNIVERSITY | 21 | $61,957 |
| Atlantic Council of the United States Inc. | 17 | $59,794 |
| Center for Strategic and International Studies | 16 | $72,263 |
| The Atlantic Council | 15 | $58,735 |
| The University of Texas at Austin | 15 | $73,219 |
| Texas A&M University | 14 | $55,111 |
| Georgetown University | 14 | $80,419 |
Filing Trend
| Year | Filings | Avg Wage |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 55 | $59,334 |
| 2021 | 55 | $59,308 |
| 2022 | 100 | $67,262 |
| 2023 | 185 | $63,631 |
| 2024 | 376 | $66,892 |
| 2025 | 376 | $72,664 |
| 2026 | 54 | $1,661,025 |
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
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