How To Become A Social Research Assistant: What It Is and Career Path

What is a social research assistant and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025

3 min read

Quoted experts

Friedbert Ninow Ph.D.,

Shelly Lesher

The primary function of a Social Research Assistant is to coordinate research studies. They oversee the recruitment of research study participants. They help with all the phases of the data collection process. Also, they oversee and manage database development and data entry.

As a social research assistant, you'll work with relevant bodies to ensure all standards are being met to conduct specific research. You will help in conducting data analyses. Similarly, you'll help present results to funding agencies. Asides from that, you'll assist in the development, preparation, and editing of progress and final reports for necessary agencies.

For this role, you need a bachelor's degree or an equivalent combination of education and experience. Candidates must possess organization, multitasking, presentation, interpersonal, and communication skills. You must also pay rapt attention to detail. You must be experienced in managing databases and using Microsoft Office. These experts earn an average annual salary of $50,209. This varies between $24,000 and $107,000.

What general advice would you give to a social research assistant?

Friedbert Ninow Ph.D.

Dean, La Sierra University

A degree in theological and ministerial studies (or more generally in Religious Studies) does not necessarily have to lead into pastoral ministry. There are many opportunities where a Religion degree is a good foundation: Chaplaincy (e.g., Hospital, Army, Jail, etc.), Politics & Society, Journalism, Health Sciences, Arts, etc.

General advice: Let your heart speak first, not possible career chances or salary perspectives, etc. (I understand that this is important, too).

ScoreSocial Research AssistantUS Average

Salary

4.1

Avg. Salary $52,089

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability level

4.5

Growth rate 19%

Growth rate 0.3%

Diversity

4.6

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 1.06%

Asian 11.30%

Black or African American 9.50%

Hispanic or Latino 16.81%

Unknown 6.17%

White 55.16%

Gender

female 67.38%

male 32.62%

Age - 35

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 35

Stress level

4.5

Stress level is manageable

7.1 - high

Complexity level

7.8

Complexity level is challenging

7 - challenging

Work life balance

10.0

Work life balance is excellent

6.4 - fair

Key steps to become a social research assistant

Explore social research assistant education requirements

Most common social research assistant degrees

Bachelor's

73.9 %

Master's

14.3 %

Associate

5.6 %

Start to develop specific social research assistant skills

Skills	Percentages
Social Work	11.82%
Data Entry	6.38%
SPSS	6.31%
Research Assistants	5.72%
Statistical Analysis	5.69%

Complete relevant social research assistant training and internships

Accountants spend an average of Less than 1 month on post-employment, on-the-job training. New social research assistants learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as a social research assistant based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real social research assistant resumes.

Research social research assistant duties and responsibilities

Evaluate patients' study eligibility via medical history, obtain informed consent, enroll patients, and achieve enrollment quotas.
Perform statistical analysis on SPSS and summarize results in weekly reports.
Code the data receive and analyze the results with SPSS to draw conclusions about significant findings.
Prepare IRB applications and renewals for participating care facilities.

Prepare your social research assistant resume

When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your social research assistant resume.

You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on a social research assistant resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.

Choose from 10+ customizable social research assistant resume templates

Build a professional social research assistant resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume. Then choose from 10+ resume templates to create your social research assistant resume.

Apply for social research assistant jobs

Now it's time to start searching for a social research assistant job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:

Browse job boards for relevant postings
Consult your professional network
Reach out to companies you're interested in working for directly
Watch out for job scams

How do social research assistants rate their job?

-/5

5 stars

4 stars

3 stars

2 stars

1 star

Social research assistant reviews

A zippia user wrote a review on Nov 2019

Pros

I like to explore more in community health related field and benefit the future generations from avoidable diseases and help them with information related to health aspects.

Cons

None

A zippia user wrote a review on Sep 2019