Social Science Research Assistants

Social Science Research Assistants score 67 out of 100, which is high exposure to AI. That ranks #56 of 923 US occupations, where #1 is the most exposed. Of the 23 tasks in this job, AI could speed up 9 on its own and 11 more with extra software built on top of it. In April–May 2026, 9 of these tasks showed up in real conversations with Claude, Anthropic's AI assistant.

67/ 100

High

Rank: #56of 923 jobs
US workers: 30,640BLS, May 2025
Median pay: $61,990a year
In real AI use: 9 of 23tasks, April–May 2026

Free report

Follow how AI is changing social science research assistants work.

Subscribe to the weekly report and get The AI Job Exposure Report (PDF) right away: the most and least exposed jobs, exposure by field, and the AI-resilient jobs that pay well.

Free · one email a week · unsubscribe anytime

Task by task

Each task this job involves, as listed by O*NET, rated on whether a large language model like GPT-4 could cut the time it takes by at least half at the same quality. Tasks marked Seen in real AI use appeared in conversations with Claude in April–May 2026 (Anthropic Economic Index).

AI can speed this up on its own: 9 (39%)
AI can speed this up with extra software: 11 (48%)
Little or no AI speed-up: 3 (13%)

Design and create special programs for tasks such as statistical analysis and data entry and cleaning.AI can speed this up on its own · core task · Seen in real AI use
Provide assistance with the preparation of project-related reports, manuscripts, and presentations.AI can speed this up on its own · core task · Seen in real AI use
Perform descriptive and multivariate statistical analyses of data, using computer software.AI can speed this up on its own · core task
Verify the accuracy and validity of data entered in databases, correcting any errors.AI can speed this up on its own · core task · Seen in real AI use
Perform data entry and other clerical work as required for project completion.AI can speed this up on its own · core task · Seen in real AI use
Edit and submit protocols and other required research documentation.AI can speed this up on its own · supplemental task
Code data in preparation for computer entry.AI can speed this up on its own · supplemental task · Seen in real AI use
Track laboratory supplies and expenses such as participant reimbursement.AI can speed this up on its own · supplemental task
Provide assistance in the design of survey instruments such as questionnaires.AI can speed this up on its own · supplemental task · Seen in real AI use
Prepare tables, graphs, fact sheets, and written reports summarizing research results.AI can speed this up with extra software · core task · Seen in real AI use
Develop and implement research quality control procedures.AI can speed this up with extra software · core task
Prepare, manipulate, and manage extensive databases.AI can speed this up with extra software · core task
Conduct internet-based and library research.AI can speed this up with extra software · core task
Present research findings to groups of people.AI can speed this up with extra software · core task
Administer standardized tests to research subjects, or interview them to collect research data.AI can speed this up with extra software · supplemental task · Seen in real AI use
Recruit and schedule research participants.AI can speed this up with extra software · supplemental task
Screen potential subjects to determine their suitability as study participants.AI can speed this up with extra software · supplemental task
Track research participants, and perform any necessary follow-up tasks.AI can speed this up with extra software · supplemental task
Supervise the work of survey interviewers.AI can speed this up with extra software · supplemental task
Perform needs assessments or consult with clients to determine the types of research and information required.AI can speed this up with extra software · supplemental task · Seen in real AI use
Obtain informed consent of research subjects or their guardians.Little or no AI speed-up · supplemental task
Collect specimens such as blood samples, as required by research projects.Little or no AI speed-up · supplemental task
Allocate and manage laboratory space and resources.Little or no AI speed-up · supplemental task

What you can do about it

Get a personal plan for what to learn next.

Skill Half Life turns this score into a 90-day plan for your situation: your realistic options, the skills that carry over, and training that fits your time and budget. Coming soon.

See your options

Similar jobs, lower exposure

Related occupations that score at least 10 points lower.

Other jobs in this field

Life, Physical, and Social Science occupations close to this one.

All life, physical, and social science jobs and AI

Questions about social science research assistants and AI

Will AI replace social science research assistants?

Probably not entirely, but the job is likely to change a lot. Social Science Research Assistants score 67 out of 100 (high exposure), #56 of 923 US jobs. AI could speed up 20 of the job's 23 tasks, 9 of them on its own, while 3 see little or no speed-up. Exposure means the work is likely to change, not that the job will disappear.

Which social science research assistants tasks can AI do?

The most exposed tasks include "Design and create special programs for tasks such as statistical analysis and data entry and cleaning"; "Provide assistance with the preparation of project-related reports, manuscripts, and presentations"; "Perform descriptive and multivariate statistical analyses of data, using computer software".

Which social science research assistants tasks are hardest for AI?

Tasks with little or no AI speed-up include "Obtain informed consent of research subjects or their guardians"; "Collect specimens such as blood samples, as required by research projects"; "Allocate and manage laboratory space and resources".

Are people already using AI for this work?

Yes. In April–May 2026, 9 of the 23 tasks showed up in real conversations with Claude, according to the Anthropic Economic Index.

How many people work as social science research assistants, and what do they earn?

About 30,640 people in the US, with median pay of $61,990 a year (BLS, May 2025).

How to read this score. Exposure measures how much of the work AI could speed up, not whether the job will disappear. A highly exposed job can change shape, with people spending less time on routine tasks and more on the rest. The score counts tasks AI can speed up on its own in full, and tasks that need extra software at half weight.

The ratings come from published research based on GPT-4 (2023). To show what's happening now, each task is also checked against the latest Anthropic Economic Index, which records which tasks people actually use AI for. That data is refreshed automatically when Anthropic publishes a new release. Read the full method.