Social Science Research Assistants
Also called: Graduate Research Assistant, Research Assistant, Research Associate, Social Research AssistantAssist 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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What the data says: AI could halve the time on 18 of its 22 tasks, yet jobs are projected to grow 5.0% by 2035. In the most exposed occupations, the squeeze shows up first among early-career workers. How to think about this →
About this projection
BLS builds AI into its projections where the research supports it: “BLS generally applies adjustments based on this research conservatively, where there is convincing evidence for a change.”
It also notes a limit: “BLS projection methods are not designed to capture extremely rapid technological change.”
On its AI exposure groups, BLS says exposure “does not imply job loss.”
Recent conditions
- From Sep 2025 to Aug 2026, 7.8 hires for every 10 job openings in private educational services, which employs about 47% of people in this work, against 7.3 across all industries BLS JOLTS
One box per opening, filled for each hire; hires beyond the openings are added in a lighter shade. Higher can mean openings get filled, or that people leave often; lower, that jobs go unfilled, or hiring is slow.7.8 this industry7.3 all industries
Median pay by state BLS OEWS May 2025, state estimates
Tap a state for its figures.
Median pay in every state
| State | Median | Middle half earn | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $53,080 | $53,080 to $53,950 | not published |
| Alaska | $62,230 | $56,950 to $69,410 | 40 |
| Arizona | $61,680 | $50,920 to $64,290 | 1,020 |
| California | $60,250 | $41,670 to $84,990 | 5,300 |
| Colorado | $50,430 | $50,180 to $51,160 | 100 |
| Connecticut | $60,110 | $54,010 to $71,340 | 50 |
| Delaware | $68,230 | $53,780 to $80,350 | 40 |
| District of Columbia | $65,330 | $56,830 to $81,420 | 1,560 |
| Florida | $50,700 | $34,370 to $64,000 | 1,130 |
| Georgia | $66,620 | $52,830 to $99,090 | 1,840 |
| Idaho | $62,570 | $54,440 to $63,860 | not published |
| Illinois | $64,890 | $47,720 to $74,700 | 250 |
| Indiana | $57,020 | $34,710 to $75,930 | 210 |
| Iowa | $40,940 | $33,000 to $44,520 | 140 |
| Kansas | $67,740 | $54,970 to $67,740 | 170 |
| Kentucky | $66,390 | $51,750 to $82,500 | 1,190 |
| Louisiana | $52,600 | $45,010 to $60,710 | 340 |
| Maine | $50,650 | $44,530 to $65,010 | 120 |
| Maryland | $65,550 | $54,820 to $84,490 | 700 |
| Massachusetts | $63,480 | $49,980 to $71,700 | not published |
| Michigan | $60,210 | $49,520 to $64,220 | 750 |
| Minnesota | $44,920 | $40,680 to $48,380 | 300 |
| Missouri | $65,940 | $49,750 to $66,090 | 750 |
| Montana | $49,860 | $45,290 to $51,820 | 30 |
| Nebraska | $56,190 | $37,990 to $61,800 | 230 |
| Nevada | $26,560 | $26,550 to $27,270 | not published |
| New Hampshire | $65,690 | $47,420 to $77,100 | 70 |
| New Jersey | $62,760 | $49,390 to $85,270 | 370 |
| New Mexico | $50,640 | $40,250 to $97,740 | 50 |
| New York | $61,210 | $46,280 to $79,630 | 3,040 |
| North Carolina | $63,710 | $52,130 to $67,680 | 2,930 |
| Ohio | $50,330 | $24,810 to $72,830 | 240 |
| Oklahoma | $69,090 | $60,460 to $84,780 | 100 |
| Oregon | $56,770 | $50,790 to $69,690 | 220 |
| Pennsylvania | $54,610 | $48,590 to $64,790 | 860 |
| Rhode Island | $51,420 | $51,420 to $68,710 | 220 |
| South Carolina | $64,490 | $50,070 to $79,740 | 500 |
| South Dakota | $44,820 | $34,710 to $50,670 | 40 |
| Tennessee | $46,410 | $40,120 to $55,900 | 140 |
| Texas | $58,070 | $44,950 to $77,130 | 1,180 |
| Utah | not published | not published | 500 |
| Vermont | $47,510 | $47,510 to $63,020 | 40 |
| Virginia | $53,260 | $45,880 to $66,430 | 700 |
| Washington | $50,420 | $48,780 to $59,820 | 450 |
| West Virginia | $51,140 | $34,480 to $72,410 | 550 |
| Wisconsin | $48,090 | $44,620 to $57,650 | 110 |
Nationally: $61,990. Shades run from the lowest state median to the highest; a territory below that range takes the lightest. How to read this
How AI touches the work
What AI could speed up, task by task, and where people already use it.
AI could halve the time on 18 of its 22 tasks
| AI rating | Its main tasks | Share of Claude conversations May 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| AI alone | Verify the accuracy and validity of data entered in databases, correcting any errors. | 0.07% |
| AI alone | Provide assistance with the preparation of project-related reports, manuscripts, and presentations. | 0.02% |
| AI + software | Perform data entry and other clerical work as required for project completion. | under 0.01% |
| AI alone | Prepare tables, graphs, fact sheets, and written reports summarizing research results. | 0.01% |
| AI + software | Design and create special programs for tasks such as statistical analysis and data entry and cleaning. | 0.04% |
| AI + software | Conduct internet-based and library research. | Not published |
See all 22 tasks
| AI alone | Develop and implement research quality control procedures. | Not published |
| AI + software | Perform descriptive and multivariate statistical analyses of data, using computer software. | Not published |
| AI + software | Prepare, manipulate, and manage extensive databases. | Not published |
| Not much | Administer standardized tests to research subjects, or interview them to collect research data. | Not published |
| AI + software | Obtain informed consent of research subjects or their guardians. | Not published |
| Not much | Recruit and schedule research participants. | Not published |
| AI alone | Present research findings to groups of people. | Not published |
| AI + software | Track research participants, and perform any necessary follow-up tasks. | Not published |
| AI + software | Edit and submit protocols and other required research documentation. | Not published |
| AI alone | Code data in preparation for computer entry. | under 0.01% |
| AI alone | Provide assistance in the design of survey instruments such as questionnaires. | under 0.01% |
| AI + software | Screen potential subjects to determine their suitability as study participants. | Not published |
| AI alone | Track laboratory supplies and expenses such as participant reimbursement. | Not published |
| AI + software | Perform needs assessments or consult with clients to determine the types of research and information required. | 0.01% |
| Not much | Supervise the work of survey interviewers. | Not published |
| Not much | Allocate and manage laboratory space and resources. | Not published |
Ordered by how important O*NET's respondents rate each task (1 to 5) times the share who say it is part of their job. The ordering is ours. 8 of the 22 have a published share of Claude conversations; “not published” means too few conversations for Anthropic to publish a figure.
Where people already use AI
The tasks above say what AI could speed up. This shows what people are using it for. Its 22 tasks fall under 17 work activities that many occupations share, and Microsoft counted how often each one came up in 200,000 conversations with its Copilot assistant in 2024.
- #1 Gather information from physical or electronic sources
- #18 Research historical or social issues
- #20 Present research or technical information
- and 1 more, in the table below
| Work activity | This occupation's tasks under it | People asked AI for help in 10,000 conversations |
AI did it for them in 10,000 conversations |
|---|---|---|---|
| Present research or technical information | |||
| Develop research plans or methodologies | |||
| Collect information about patients or clients | |||
| Maintain operational records | |||
| Direct scientific or technical activities | |||
| Perform recruiting or hiring activities | |||
| Gather information from physical or electronic sources | |||
| Research historical or social issues |
Show all 17 activities
| Process digital or online data | |||
| Evaluate the quality or accuracy of data | |||
| Confer with clients to determine needs or order specifications | |||
| Design computer or information systems or applications | |||
| Schedule appointments | |||
| Prepare legal or regulatory documents | |||
| Perform human resources activities | |||
| Design databases | |||
| Supervise personnel activities |
How people in this work use Claude
What people in this work made with Claude % of conversations
- Data or a spreadsheet26%
- A script or snippet16%
- A document or report15%
- An analysis or summary9%
- A presentation or slides6%
How they worked with Claude
69% of these conversations were about work. Anthropic Economic Index, May 2026.
How to read this
Work activities come from O*NET, which links every task to the broader activities it involves. Microsoft's figures are for the activity across everyone who used Copilot, not for social science research assistants specifically. Copilot is a general chat assistant; dedicated coding tools are not included, so programming help is under-counted here. Activities are listed by how many of this occupation's tasks fall under them.
The task ratings say whether AI could halve the time a task takes: on its own (“AI alone”), or with software built on it (“AI + software”). They were made by people in 2023 (Eloundou et al.). Claude's share is the task's share of all Claude.ai conversations in May 2026; Anthropic doesn't publish a task with too few conversations. None of these add up to the BLS exposure group, which combines five research measures.
More in the Guide: task ratings · task order · work activities · Copilot figures · Claude
High exposure doesn't mean fewer jobs
BLS projects most occupations in its two most exposed groups to grow: 141 of 206 rated Very high and 165 of 206 rated High. Each dot is one of the 831 occupations BLS rates.
Career moves into and out of this occupation
From moves between occupations found in online resumes, 2002–2016. Career changes only: a first job after school isn't a move.
Where people moved next
of 26,777 moves out
- 1 Operations Research Analysts Very high +11.9% 12%
- 2 Teacher Assistants (2010 group) an older group BLS has since split; no exposure group today 6%
- 3 Office Clerks, General Very high -6.0% 5%
- 4 Managers, All Other (2010 group) an older group BLS has since split; no exposure group today 5%
- 5 Postsecondary Teachers, All Other Very high +2.0% 3%
Where people moved in from
of 18,973 moves in
- 1 Operations Research Analysts Very high +11.9% 10%
- 2 Teacher Assistants (2010 group) an older group BLS has since split; no exposure group today 7%
- 3 Office Clerks, General Very high -6.0% 6%
- 4 Teachers and Instructors, All Other (2010 group) an older group BLS has since split; no exposure group today 4%
- 5 Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive Very high -6.0% 3%
Resumes over-represent younger, white-collar job-seekers and moves into management. Schubert, Stansbury and Taska (resume data).
Education and training for the occupation
O*NET survey of workers in this occupation
- 9% some college
- 53% bachelor's
- 2% post-bachelor's certificate
- 37% master's
O*NET 31.0 survey of workers in this occupation · 23 people answered.
19 programs, such as Environmental/Natural Resource Economics, Behavioral Sciences and History and Political Science.
See all
- Environmental/Natural Resource Economics
- Behavioral Sciences
- History and Political Science
- Psychology, General
- Psychometrics and Quantitative Psychology
- Public Policy Analysis, General
- Education Policy Analysis
- Health Policy Analysis
- International Policy Analysis
- Social Sciences, General
- Survey Research/Methodology
- Economics, General
- Applied Economics
- Econometrics and Quantitative Economics
- Development Economics and International Development
- Political Science and Government, General
- Political Economy
- Sociology, General
- Applied/Public Sociology
Jobs that require a credential BLS Occupational Requirements Survey 2023
BLS publishes no credential figures for this occupation.
Look up certifications, training and licenses U.S. Department of Labor
- Certification Finder ↗ certifications CareerOneStop lists for this occupation
- Training Finder ↗ schools and programs, nationwide; narrow the place there
- License Finder ↗ licenses by state
- Apprenticeships: DOL's list of apprenticeable occupations doesn't include this one.
These open in a new tab and send only the occupation's public code. More in the Guide
BLS AI exposure categories (Aug 2026) · BLS Employment Projections 2025–35 · O*NET 31.0 · Task ratings: Eloundou et al., Science (2024) · Microsoft "Working with AI" v1.1 · Anthropic Economic Index (2026-06-26) · Schubert, Stansbury and Taska · NCES CIP–SOC · Census ACS 2024 · BLS JOLTS · Brynjolfsson, Chandar and Chen, Stanford (Aug 2026)
See it online, and explore any career: https://www.pathmosaic.com/card/19-4061.00