Prevailing Wage for Social Science Research Assistants
Prevailing wage for Social Science Research Assistants (SOC 19-4061) is set by DOL across four experience levels, so whether your offer letter says Research Assistant, Graduate Research Assistant, or Research Associate, the floor that governs your H-1B, E-3, or green card petition depends on your level and worksite city.
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Level 1 covers entry-level Research Assistants performing routine tasks under close supervision, typically with a bachelor's degree and little or no post-degree research experience. Employers filing at this level expect significant on-the-job training.
Level 2 is the most common filing level for Social Science Research Assistants. It applies to qualified staff with some independent judgment, moderate experience in survey design or data management, and the ability to work with limited supervision.
Level 3 applies to experienced Research Associates who design study components, supervise junior staff, or manage data pipelines largely independently. Employers typically require several years of applied research experience and demonstrable subject-matter expertise.
Level 4 covers fully competent senior Research Assistants functioning as technical leads, setting research protocols, and mentoring others. Employers filing at this level generally require a graduate degree combined with substantial independent research output.
Prevailing Wage for Social Science Research Assistants by OES area
Each shape is a DOL OES area, the unit prevailing wage is published for.
What’s an OES area?
The Department of Labor publishes prevailing wages for geographic zones called OES areas. Every U.S. county belongs to exactly one, and the wage floor applies across the whole area. A worker in Oakland gets the San Francisco metro wage, not a separate Oakland wage.
Top 10 cities · Level 1
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See which U.S. employers are actively hiring for Social Science Research Assistants and sponsoring H-1B, OPT, and green card visas at or above the prevailing wage.
Search visa-sponsored jobsPrevailing Wage Guide for Social Science Research Assistants
Watch for title aliasing on university petitions
Universities frequently post positions as Graduate Research Assistant or Research Aide but file LCAs under a different SOC entirely. Confirm your employer's LCA lists SOC 19-4061 before signing, since an incorrect SOC means the wrong prevailing wage floor governs your petition.
Account for the Atlanta-to-Huntington wage gap
The prevailing wage for this occupation varies far more by city than for many professional roles. Atlanta and San Francisco set floors well above the national median, while metros like Huntington post significantly lower L1 figures, so your worksite location is especially consequential for this SOC.
Treat stipends and tuition waivers as non-qualifying compensation
Some academic and nonprofit employers bundle graduate tuition waivers or housing stipends into total compensation packages for Research Assistants. DOL's prevailing wage compliance counts only cash wages, so confirm the offered salary alone clears the applicable level floor.
Use Migrate Mate to find sponsors with Research Assistant history
Because visa sponsorship for Social Science Research Assistants is concentrated in universities, think tanks, and government contractors, Migrate Mate's employer sponsorship history data helps you identify which specific organizations have actually sponsored this role before rather than guessing from job titles alone.
Jobs for Social Science Research Assistants are hiring across the US. Find yours.
Find Jobs for this rolePrevailing Wage by Reported Job Title
DOL classifies these titles under SOC 19-4061.00 alongside Social Science Research Assistants, so the same four-tier wage schedule applies to each. Tap a title to see the full breakdown.
Clinical Research Assistant Prevailing Wage
Clinical Research Assistant Prevailing Wage
Clinical Research Assistant positions fall under SOC 19-4061.00 (Social Science Research Assistants). DOL OFLC publishes one four-tier prevailing wage schedule for the entire classification; employers filing H-1B, E-3, or PERM petitions for this title use the levels below.
Graduate Assistant Prevailing Wage
Graduate Assistant Prevailing Wage
When a U.S. employer sponsors a Graduate Assistant for a work visa or green card, DOL applies the prevailing wage schedule for SOC 19-4061.00 (Social Science Research Assistants). Wage level reflects the role's experience and responsibility, not the title itself.
Graduate Research Assistant Prevailing Wage
Graduate Research Assistant Prevailing Wage
Graduate Research Assistant is an O*NET-reported job title within SOC 19-4061.00 (Social Science Research Assistants). All roles in this SOC share the same prevailing wage tiers. The level an employer files at depends on what the role requires, not which title is used.
Research Aide Prevailing Wage
Research Aide Prevailing Wage
Research Aide positions fall under SOC 19-4061.00 (Social Science Research Assistants). DOL OFLC publishes one four-tier prevailing wage schedule for the entire classification; employers filing H-1B, E-3, or PERM petitions for this title use the levels below.
Research Assistant Prevailing Wage
Research Assistant Prevailing Wage
When a U.S. employer sponsors a Research Assistant for a work visa or green card, DOL applies the prevailing wage schedule for SOC 19-4061.00 (Social Science Research Assistants). Wage level reflects the role's experience and responsibility, not the title itself.
Research Associate Prevailing Wage
Research Associate Prevailing Wage
Research Associate is an O*NET-reported job title within SOC 19-4061.00 (Social Science Research Assistants). All roles in this SOC share the same prevailing wage tiers. The level an employer files at depends on what the role requires, not which title is used.
Research Technician Prevailing Wage
Research Technician Prevailing Wage
Research Technician positions fall under SOC 19-4061.00 (Social Science Research Assistants). DOL OFLC publishes one four-tier prevailing wage schedule for the entire classification; employers filing H-1B, E-3, or PERM petitions for this title use the levels below.
Social Research Assistant Prevailing Wage
Social Research Assistant Prevailing Wage
When a U.S. employer sponsors a Social Research Assistant for a work visa or green card, DOL applies the prevailing wage schedule for SOC 19-4061.00 (Social Science Research Assistants). Wage level reflects the role's experience and responsibility, not the title itself.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does DOL set the prevailing wage for Social Science Research Assistants?
DOL uses Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics data collected by the Bureau of Labor Statistics through regional employer surveys. For SOC 19-4061, OFLC assigns a wage to each of four experience levels in each survey area. Employers must pay at least the level corresponding to the position's actual duties and file that wage on the Labor Condition Application before sponsoring an H-1B or E-3 worker.
What do the four wage levels mean and how do I know which one applies to me?
DOL defines levels by experience, supervision, and judgment. Level 1 is entry-level with close oversight; Level 2 requires some independent work and is the most common filing level for this occupation; Level 3 expects substantial autonomy and several years of experience; Level 4 is reserved for senior or lead Research Associates. Your employer selects the level based on the actual job duties, not the title, so review the LCA carefully to confirm the level reflects your real role.
Why does the prevailing wage for this role vary so much from city to city?
OFLC derives wages from regional OES surveys, which capture local labor market conditions. Demand from research universities, government agencies, and think tanks is highly uneven geographically, producing large city-to-city gaps. Critically, the prevailing wage that governs your petition is tied to the worksite listed on the LCA, not your employer's headquarters, so a remote arrangement or multi-site assignment requires careful worksite classification.
What happens if my job offer is below the prevailing wage for a sponsored position?
An employer cannot certify a compliant LCA if the offered wage falls below the applicable prevailing wage level for the worksite. USCIS will deny an H-1B petition supported by a non-compliant LCA. If the shortfall is discovered after approval, the employer faces back-pay liability and potential debarment from future sponsorship. Candidates should compare the offer salary against the OFLC Wage Search figure for their specific metro and level before accepting.
How do I find and verify the prevailing wage for Social Science Research Assistants in a specific U.S. city?
Use the OFLC Wage Search tool, select SOC 19-4061, choose the survey area matching your worksite city, and review all four wage levels. Cross-reference with BLS OES data for the same metro to validate. For sponsored positions, the wage listed on the employer's LCA must meet or exceed the OFLC figure for the correct level and worksite. Migrate Mate's employer sponsorship history can help you identify which companies have sponsored Research Assistants in your target city before you apply.
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