AI exposure by occupation, O*NET 19-4061.00
Will AI replace Social Science Research Assistants?
Social Science Research Assistants: AI can already handle 18 of 22 tasks; the work mostly needs a frontier-tier model.
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Every task, scored
The 22 tasks O*NET 30.3 lists for Social Science Research Assistants, from most to least exposed. 18 reach 60 or more, the level at which AI already handles a task.
| Task | AI exposure | Evidence | Model tier |
|---|---|---|---|
| Verify the accuracy and validity of data entered in databases, correcting any errors. | Observed | Standard | |
| Design and create special programs for tasks such as statistical analysis and data entry and cleaning. | Observed | Frontier | |
| Obtain informed consent of research subjects or their guardians. | Estimated | Efficient | |
| Administer standardized tests to research subjects, or interview them to collect research data. | Estimated | Efficient | |
| Recruit and schedule research participants. | Estimated | Efficient | |
| Screen potential subjects to determine their suitability as study participants. | Estimated | Frontier | |
| Perform descriptive and multivariate statistical analyses of data, using computer software. | Estimated | Efficient | |
| Track research participants, and perform any necessary follow-up tasks. | Estimated | Efficient | |
| Prepare, manipulate, and manage extensive databases. | Estimated | Frontier | |
| Edit and submit protocols and other required research documentation. | Estimated | Efficient | |
| Perform data entry and other clerical work as required for project completion. | Estimated | Standard | |
| Code data in preparation for computer entry. | Estimated | Frontier | |
| Track laboratory supplies and expenses such as participant reimbursement. | Estimated | Frontier | |
| Conduct internet-based and library research. | Estimated | Efficient | |
| Present research findings to groups of people. | Estimated | Efficient | |
| Supervise the work of survey interviewers. | Estimated | Frontier | |
| Allocate and manage laboratory space and resources. | Estimated | Frontier | |
| Provide assistance with the preparation of project-related reports, manuscripts, and presentations. | Observed | Efficient | |
| Develop and implement research quality control procedures. | Estimated | Frontier | |
| Provide assistance in the design of survey instruments such as questionnaires. | Estimated | Frontier | |
| Prepare tables, graphs, fact sheets, and written reports summarizing research results. | Observed | Efficient | |
| Perform needs assessments or consult with clients to determine the types of research and information required. | Observed | Efficient |
Observed: scored from AI use recorded in the Anthropic Economic Index (June 2026 release), 5 of 22 tasks. Estimated: scored from the task's O*NET 30.3 work activity, 17 of 22. Importance is O*NET's 1 to 5 rating of how central the task is. Model tier is the lowest tier that can do the task under the published rubric; "No tier" marks hands-on work.
The model tier this role needs
A frontier-tier model or lower covers 100% of the role's importance-weighted task work. 100% of the work is something AI can address at some tier.
Efficient, standard and frontier tiers come from the JobRoute model tier reference. The recommended tier is the lowest one that covers 80% of the work AI can address. How the method works.
Wages, employment and outlook
- US employment
- 30,640
- Median annual wage
- $61,990
- Middle half of earners
- $48,620 to $77,760
- Projected change, 2024 to 2034
- +4.4%
Employment and wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, national. Projection: BLS Employment Projections 2024 to 2034.
Adjacent roles
The occupations that reuse the most of this role's skills, with the usual time to move. These are the first places to look when you plan to redeploy or retrain people in this role.
- Survey Researchers 67% skill overlap, about 12 months to move Exposure59
- Social and Human Service Assistants 62% skill overlap, about 14 months to move Exposure47
- Sociologists 61% skill overlap, about 14 months to move Exposure64
- Statistical Assistants 60% skill overlap, about 14 months to move Exposure66
- Political Scientists 60% skill overlap, about 15 months to move Exposure56
Skill overlap and transition time from the JobRoute role adjacency graph on O*NET 30.3 skills.
Questions about Social Science Research Assistants and AI
Will AI replace Social Science Research Assistants?
AI already handles 18 of the 22 tasks O*NET lists for this occupation, at a task exposure of 60 or more, and the role's importance-weighted exposure is 70 out of 100. JobRoute scores tasks, not whole jobs, so the score shows how much of the work changes rather than whether the job disappears. BLS projects employment to change by +4.4% from 2024 to 2034.
What is the AI exposure of Social Science Research Assistants?
70 out of 100 on JobRoute's task exposure measure, the importance-weighted average of the role's O*NET task scores. Higher means more of the work is AI-doable today. 5 of the 22 task scores are observed in the Anthropic Economic Index (June 2026 release), and the other 17 are estimated from each task's O*NET work activity.
Which Social Science Research Assistants tasks can AI already do?
The tasks with the highest exposure are: Verify the accuracy and validity of data entered in databases, correcting any errors; Design and create special programs for tasks such as statistical analysis and data entry and cleaning; Obtain informed consent of research subjects or their guardians. They are three of the 18 tasks that reach 60 or more.
What AI model tier does this role need?
A frontier-tier model or lower covers 100% of the role's importance-weighted task work. JobRoute assigns each task the lowest tier that can do it under a published rubric and recommends the lowest tier that covers 80% of the work AI can address.
How many people work as Social Science Research Assistants, and what do they earn?
30,640 people in the United States, with a median annual wage of $61,990 (BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025). BLS Employment Projections expect a change of +4.4% from 2024 to 2034.
How to cite
Data version 2026-11-02, JobRoute method v1.0.0. Download all occupations or this occupation as JSON. Methodology.
JobRoute (2026). AI exposure: Social Science Research Assistants. Data version 2026-11-02, method v1.0.0. Built on O*NET 30.3, BLS OEWS May 2025 and the Anthropic Economic Index (June 2026). CC BY 4.0. https://www.jobroute.ai/jobs/social-science-research-assistants
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