Paycheck Atlas

Social Science Research Assistants salary in San Diego, CA

The median social science research assistants in San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA earns $66,520 a year, 7% above the US median. After tax that is roughly $4,248 a month.

10th percentile
$38,140
25th percentile
$38,150
Median percentile
$66,520
75th percentile
$86,160
90th percentile
$129,160

Based on 670 employed. Data period: BLS OEWS May 2025. Percentiles show the spread of pay, not experience; reading the 25th percentile as "entry level" is only an approximation.

What you keep

$50,970 take-home a year
Gross pay$66,520
Federal income tax−$5,804
Social Security + Medicare−$5,089
California income tax (approx.)−$4,656
Monthly take-home$4,248
Every two weeks$1,960

Does it go far here?

$59,453Median pay in San Diego, CA is worth this at average US prices (local price level 111.9 vs 100).
53%of take-home pay goes to the median rent ($2,246 a month, Census ACS).

Top-paying jobs in San Diego, CA

JobMedian pay
Physicians, All Other$323,050
Family Medicine Physicians$295,530
Pediatricians, General$262,650
Chief Executives$238,440
Natural Sciences Managers$207,200
Computer and Information Systems Managers$206,740
Architectural and Engineering Managers$202,810
Lawyers$178,220

All social science research assistants salaries · Take-home pay in California