Will AI replace social science research assistants?

Some tasks are already being done by AI or machines; the rest still needs a person. About 3h 57m of a typical shift is made up of tasks that AI or robots have done on their own in real use somewhere. That doesn't mean those hours are automated in a typical workplace. The other 4h 3m (51%) stays with people. Separately, BLS expects about 5% more of these jobs by 2035 (all jobs: +3.5%).

AI shows up regularly in 10 of 22 tasks, about 3h 57m of a typical shift. The biggest ones:

• Provide assistance with the preparation of project-related reports, manuscripts, and presentations. (45m a shift, AI mostly does it alone)
• Prepare, manipulate, and manage extensive databases. (38m a shift, AI mostly does it alone)
• Prepare tables, graphs, fact sheets, and written reports summarizing research results. (32m a shift, AI mostly does it alone)
• Design and create special programs for tasks such as statistical analysis and data entry and cleaning. (26m a shift, AI mostly does it alone)
• Conduct internet-based and library research. (26m a shift, AI mostly does it alone)

4h 3m of a typical shift, or 51%, goes to tasks with no AI or robot evidence yet. No AI usage or robot deployment has shown up for these so far. The biggest:

• Perform descriptive and multivariate statistical analyses of data, using computer software. (45m a shift)
• Verify the accuracy and validity of data entered in databases, correcting any errors. (32m a shift)
• Perform data entry and other clerical work as required for project completion. (32m a shift)
• Administer standardized tests to research subjects, or interview them to collect research data. (32m a shift)
• Recruit and schedule research participants. (26m a shift)

For the 6 tasks in this job where AI shows up and timing data exists, a typical request takes about 8h 14m for a person alone and about 47m with AI. These are Claude's own estimates from real conversations in April and May 2026 (Anthropic Economic Index). They describe single requests, not whole workdays, and time saved on a task doesn't mean jobs are cut. The biggest gaps:

• Prepare tables, graphs, fact sheets, and written reports summarizing research results (about 12h 14m alone, 46m with AI)
• Design and create special programs for tasks such as statistical analysis and data entry and cleaning (about 11h 23m alone, 1h 15m with AI)
• Provide assistance with the preparation of project-related reports, manuscripts, and presentations (about 9h 9m alone, 1h 1m with AI)

On Indeed, job postings in the Scientific Research & Development sector are at 84% of their February 2020 level (all U.S. postings: 104%), up 19.9% from a year earlier, as of Oct 9, 2026. BLS separately expects about 4,900 openings a year in this job through 2035. Across all U.S. postings, 7.3% now mention AI skills. Sector postings cover more than this one job and move for many reasons besides AI.

The median pay is about $61,990 a year ($29.81 an hour), 22% above the median for all U.S. jobs ($50,980). Most people in this job earn between $38,090 and $102,070 a year; that range covers the middle 80%. Pay figures are from BLS, May 2025, and vary a lot by state and employer. Pick a state to compare:

BLS projects growth of 5% from 2025 to 2035, compared with 3.5% growth for all jobs. That's about 40,000 jobs in 2035. It expects about 4,900 openings a year, mostly from people retiring or changing careers. These projections don't single out AI as a cause.

About 31,000 people in the U.S., roughly 0.02% of all workers (BLS, May 2025). That makes it the 476th largest of the 796 jobs on this site. BLS expects about 40,000 in 2035.

The most common requirement is a bachelor's degree: about 53% of people in the job said so in the official O*NET survey. O*NET rates the job at level 4 of 5 for preparation, which usually means: bachelor's degree. Requirements vary by state and employer, especially for licensed work.

These come from the job's official skill ratings and from the tasks that AI and robots touch least today. Building them keeps you strong in the parts of the work that still need a person:

• Skills that matter more here than in most jobs: Science, Mathematics, Reading Comprehension, Writing
• Get strong at the parts of the job that stay with people (listed above), which take 4h 3m of a typical shift
• Tools employers list: R, Python, Microsoft PowerPoint, Microsoft Office software, Microsoft Excel
• Learn to use AI well on the tasks where it already shows up in this job (listed above)

Yes. Occupational experts recently added these to the official task list, a sign of how the work itself is shifting. New tasks aren't rated for AI or robots yet:

• Write grant proposals.

These use similar skills, with less of a typical shift touched by AI or robots. Matches come from 109 official ratings of skills, knowledge and work activities, and each needs the same or less preparation unless the official list relates the jobs directly:

• Statisticians (2h 34m touched, $106k median pay)
• Clinical Data Managers (2h 18m touched, $120k median pay)
• Survey Researchers (3h 19m touched, $69k median pay)

Each task carries its own evidence label. For this job: 10 observed in real AI use, 12 with no AI or robot evidence found. The minutes per task are estimates, not measured hours, and "no evidence" doesn't prove a task is safe.