Career Paths From Social Science Research Assistants

Possible next moves, computed from skill overlap, O*NET occupational relatedness, preparation level, education, and pay — not a record of people who actually made these moves.

Survey ResearchersAdvancement91.5% skill match
Social Science Research Assistants and Survey Researchers share a similar Transferable Skills profile (91% match). Survey Researchers is typically a step up, requiring more preparation and paying more. Job Zone is higher (5 vs 4). Median salary is about 12% higher.
Current median salary
$61,990
Target median salary
$69,460
Current Job Zone
4
Target Job Zone
5
Computer and Information Systems ManagersCareer Change91.8% skill match
Social Science Research Assistants and Computer and Information Systems Managers share a similar Transferable Skills profile (92% match). Computer and Information Systems Managers is in a different occupational field, but draws on much of the same underlying skill set. Median salary is about 183% higher.
Current median salary
$61,990
Target median salary
$175,140
Current Job Zone
4
Target Job Zone
4
Medical DosimetristsCareer Change95.6% skill match
Social Science Research Assistants and Medical Dosimetrists share a similar Transferable Skills profile (96% match). Medical Dosimetrists is in a different occupational field, but draws on much of the same underlying skill set. Median salary is about 138% higher.
Current median salary
$61,990
Target median salary
$147,470
Current Job Zone
4
Target Job Zone
4
Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including HealthLateral Move93.8% skill match
Social Science Research Assistants and Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health share a similar Transferable Skills profile (94% match). Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health sits at a similar preparation level, so this would be more of a lateral move. Median salary is about 33% higher.
Current median salary
$61,990
Target median salary
$82,220
Current Job Zone
4
Target Job Zone
4
Database AdministratorsCareer Change90.8% skill match
Social Science Research Assistants and Database Administrators share a similar Transferable Skills profile (91% match). Database Administrators is in a different occupational field, but draws on much of the same underlying skill set. Median salary is about 69% higher.
Current median salary
$61,990
Target median salary
$104,620
Current Job Zone
4
Target Job Zone
4
MicrobiologistsLateral Move90.6% skill match
Social Science Research Assistants and Microbiologists share a similar Transferable Skills profile (91% match). Microbiologists sits at a similar preparation level, so this would be more of a lateral move. Median salary is about 42% higher.
Current median salary
$61,990
Target median salary
$87,990
Current Job Zone
4
Target Job Zone
4
Industrial-Organizational PsychologistsAdvancement91.4% skill match
Social Science Research Assistants and Industrial-Organizational Psychologists share a similar Transferable Skills profile (91% match). Industrial-Organizational Psychologists is typically a step up, requiring more preparation and paying more. Job Zone is higher (5 vs 4). Median salary is about 213% higher.
Current median salary
$61,990
Target median salary
$193,950
Current Job Zone
4
Target Job Zone
5
Physicians, PathologistsCareer Change91.3% skill match
Social Science Research Assistants and Physicians, Pathologists share a similar Transferable Skills profile (91% match). Physicians, Pathologists is in a different occupational field, but draws on much of the same underlying skill set. Job Zone is higher (5 vs 4). Median salary is about 404% higher.
Current median salary
$61,990
Target median salary
$312,400
Current Job Zone
4
Target Job Zone
5
Claims Adjusters, Examiners, and InvestigatorsCareer Change91.3% skill match
Social Science Research Assistants and Claims Adjusters, Examiners, and Investigators share a similar Transferable Skills profile (91% match). Claims Adjusters, Examiners, and Investigators is in a different occupational field, but draws on much of the same underlying skill set. Median salary is about 26% higher.
Current median salary
$61,990
Target median salary
$78,000
Current Job Zone
4
Target Job Zone
4
PhysicistsAdvancement92.2% skill match
Social Science Research Assistants and Physicists share a similar Transferable Skills profile (92% match). Physicists is typically a step up, requiring more preparation and paying more. Job Zone is higher (5 vs 4). Median salary is about 178% higher.
Current median salary
$61,990
Target median salary
$172,250
Current Job Zone
4
Target Job Zone
5
Architectural and Civil DraftersCareer Change95.7% skill match
Social Science Research Assistants and Architectural and Civil Drafters share a similar Transferable Skills profile (96% match). Architectural and Civil Drafters is in a different occupational field, but draws on much of the same underlying skill set. Job Zone is lower (3 vs 4). Median salary is about 7% higher.
Current median salary
$61,990
Target median salary
$66,150
Current Job Zone
4
Target Job Zone
3
Electrical and Electronics DraftersCareer Change93.4% skill match
Social Science Research Assistants and Electrical and Electronics Drafters share a similar Transferable Skills profile (93% match). Electrical and Electronics Drafters is in a different occupational field, but draws on much of the same underlying skill set. Job Zone is lower (3 vs 4). Median salary is about 24% higher.
Current median salary
$61,990
Target median salary
$76,870
Current Job Zone
4
Target Job Zone
3
Mechanical DraftersCareer Change91.3% skill match
Social Science Research Assistants and Mechanical Drafters share a similar Transferable Skills profile (91% match). Mechanical Drafters is in a different occupational field, but draws on much of the same underlying skill set. Job Zone is lower (3 vs 4). Median salary is about 15% higher.
Current median salary
$61,990
Target median salary
$71,550
Current Job Zone
4
Target Job Zone
3
Data ScientistsLateral Move0% skill match
Social Science Research Assistants and Data Scientists share a similar Transferable Skills profile (0% match). Data Scientists sits at a similar preparation level, so this would be more of a lateral move. Median salary is about 94% higher.
Current median salary
$61,990
Target median salary
$120,230
Current Job Zone
4
Target Job Zone
4
StatisticiansAdvancement0% skill match
Social Science Research Assistants and Statisticians share a similar Transferable Skills profile (0% match). Statisticians is typically a step up, requiring more preparation and paying more. Job Zone is higher (5 vs 4). Median salary is about 70% higher.
Current median salary
$61,990
Target median salary
$105,650
Current Job Zone
4
Target Job Zone
5

Computed from O*NET Transferable Skills, occupational relatedness and Job Zone data, plus BLS wage and projections data. Categories (Advancement / Lateral Move / Career Change) are derived algorithmically, not self-reported career histories.