U.S. Federal Government (non-Defense) / Department of Veterans Affairs / Social Science Aid and Technician

Job-title file

Social Science Aid and Technician

Operate, maintain, and repair equipment or facilities, performing skilled hands-on work.

1,497 employees hold this title in Department of Veterans Affairs. Median total compensation for the role is $66,670, below the department median of $88,751.

Employees: 1,497
Total payroll: $96.3M
Role median: $66,670
Agency median: $88,751
Comparison: Below

What the records show

Role pay distribution

Pay distribution for this role

$0$85,560+

Hover a bar for its range; click to filter the list below.

How total compensation varies among the 1,497 people in this role. Even for one job title, pay differs with seniority, step, overtime, and tenure. Each bar is a pay range; the far-right bar collects the highest earners.

Compared with the local labor market

Social Science Aid and Technician pay vs. the United States

Across all employers in the United States, the median wage for Social Science Research Assistants — about 30,640 people — is $61,990. Department of Veterans Affairs pays a median base salary of $66,657 for this role, 8% above that figure — about the 57th percentile of local pay for the occupation.

Where Department of Veterans Affairs sits in the local pay range

10th

25th

Median

75th

90th

$38,090

$48,620

$61,990

$77,760

$102,070

Department of Veterans Affairs median · $66,657

The bar is the range of annual wages for Social Science Research Assistants across every employer in the United States, from the 10th to the 90th percentile, with the middle 50% highlighted. The marker shows Department of Veterans Affairs’s median base salary for this role. Both figures are base pay only.

Computed over the 1,490 of 1,497 people in this role paid at least $25,000in base salary. The rest are part-year or part-time records, whose actual pay isn’t comparable to a full-time annual wage.

Median total compensation for this role at Department of Veterans Affairs is $66,670, which includes overtime and employer-paid benefits. The benchmark above excludes both, so total compensation is deliberately not compared against it.

Benchmark: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025). BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) covers all employers in the area — private, non-profit, and government alike — so this is a comparison against the whole local labor market for the occupation, not against private-sector pay. OEWS wages are straight-time pay and exclude overtime, shift differentials, and employer-paid benefits, so the government figure shown here is base pay on the same basis. Total compensation is not comparable to it. Job titles are matched to the closest standard occupation, so the comparison is between similar work rather than an identical job classification.

Compare departments

This role across U.S. Federal Government (non-Defense)

Social Science Aid and Technician is held in 8 U.S. Federal Government (non-Defense) departments. In Department of Veterans Affairs, the median of $66,670 ranks #4 of 8.

Highest-paying departments for this role

Presidio Trust

$95,230 · 1

Department of Labor

$76,101 · 2

Court Services and Offendr Supervsn Agy

$68,039 · 40

Social Security Administration

$65,425 · 2

Department of Interior

$50,659 · 56

Department of Agriculture

$49,025 · 88

Department of Health and Human Services

$44,093 · 33

Median total compensation for the Social Science Aid and Technician role in other U.S. Federal Government (non-Defense)departments (highest first). Each bar links to that department’s page for this role.

Record list

Employees with this title

Page 3

Paul Makarenko

Social Science Aid and Technician/Department of Veterans Affairs

2024 total comp

$77,493

Sub-department: Veterans Health Administration
Base pay: $77,493
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $77,493
Pay grade: 09
Work city: New York - New York
Work county: New York
Work state: New York

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $77,493
Basic Pay (before locality): $56,465
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 364170061
Length of Service (Years): 8
Occupation Code (OPM): 0102
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Paul Makarenko holds the role of Social Science Aid and Technician at Department of Veterans Affairs based in New York - New York, New York. In 2024, their total compensation was $77,493. Their pay grade is 09.

Yves Moyse

Social Science Aid and Technician/Department of Veterans Affairs

2024 total comp

$77,493

Sub-department: Veterans Health Administration
Base pay: $77,493
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $77,493
Pay grade: 09
Work city: Montrose
Work county: Westchester
Work state: New York

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $77,493
Basic Pay (before locality): $56,465
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 363865119
Length of Service (Years): 8
Occupation Code (OPM): 0102
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

At Department of Veterans Affairs, Yves Moyse serves as a Social Science Aid and Technician based in Montrose, New York. Their 2024 pay totaled $77,493. They are classified at grade 09.

Jonathan Shaw

Social Science Aid and Technician/Department of Veterans Affairs

2024 total comp

$77,493

Sub-department: Veterans Health Administration
Base pay: $77,493
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $77,493
Pay grade: 09
Work city: Lyons
Work county: Somerset
Work state: New Jersey

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $77,493
Basic Pay (before locality): $56,465
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 341777035
Length of Service (Years): 10
Occupation Code (OPM): 0102
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Jonathan Shaw holds the role of Social Science Aid and Technician at Department of Veterans Affairs based in Lyons, New Jersey. In 2024, their total compensation was $77,493. Their pay grade is 09.

Ronald Wells

Social Science Aid and Technician/Department of Veterans Affairs

2024 total comp

$77,493

Sub-department: Veterans Health Administration
Base pay: $77,493
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $77,493
Pay grade: 09
Work city: East Orange
Work county: Essex
Work state: New Jersey

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $77,493
Basic Pay (before locality): $56,465
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 340800013
Length of Service (Years): 10
Occupation Code (OPM): 0102
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Ronald Wells is a Social Science Aid and Technician at Department of Veterans Affairs based in East Orange, New Jersey. 2024 total compensation came to $77,493. They are classified at grade 09.

Philip Branscum

Social Science Aid and Technician/Department of Veterans Affairs

2024 total comp

$77,404

Sub-department: Veterans Health Administration
Base pay: $77,404
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $77,404
Pay grade: 09
Work city: Portland
Work county: Multnomah
Work state: Oregon

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $77,404
Basic Pay (before locality): $61,598
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 411650051
Length of Service (Years): 16
Occupation Code (OPM): 0102
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Philip Branscum holds the role of Social Science Aid and Technician at Department of Veterans Affairs based in Portland, Oregon. In 2024, their total compensation was $77,404. Their pay grade is 09.

Matthew Randak

Social Science Aid and Technician/Department of Veterans Affairs

2024 total comp

$77,403

Sub-department: Veterans Health Administration
Base pay: $77,403
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $77,403
Pay grade: 09
Work city: Chula Vista
Work county: San Diego
Work state: California

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $77,403
Basic Pay (before locality): $58,176
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 060710073
Length of Service (Years): 18
Occupation Code (OPM): 0102
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Matthew Randak works as a Social Science Aid and Technician for Department of Veterans Affairs based in Chula Vista, California. Matthew earned $77,403 in 2024. Their pay grade is 09.

Vickie Ellet

Social Science Aid and Technician/Department of Veterans Affairs

2024 total comp

$77,390

Sub-department: Veterans Health Administration
Base pay: $77,390
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $77,390
Pay grade: 11
Work city: Johnson City
Work county: Washington
Work state: Tennessee

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $77,390
Basic Pay (before locality): $66,247
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 471250179
Length of Service (Years): 24
Occupation Code (OPM): 0102
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Vickie Ellet is a Social Science Aid and Technician at Department of Veterans Affairs based in Johnson City, Tennessee. 2024 total compensation came to $77,390. They are classified at grade 11.

Robert Copsey

Social Science Aid and Technician/Department of Veterans Affairs

2024 total comp

$77,350

Sub-department: Veterans Health Administration
Base pay: $77,350
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $77,350
Pay grade: 09
Work city: Mather Afb
Work county: Sacramento
Work state: California

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $77,350
Basic Pay (before locality): $59,887
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 062105067
Length of Service (Years): 15
Occupation Code (OPM): 0102
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

At Department of Veterans Affairs, Robert Copsey serves as a Social Science Aid and Technician based in Mather Afb, California. Their 2024 pay totaled $77,350. They are classified at grade 09.

Jonathan Lettieri

Social Science Aid and Technician/Department of Veterans Affairs

2024 total comp

$77,350

Sub-department: Veterans Health Administration
Base pay: $77,350
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $77,350
Pay grade: 09
Work city: Mather Afb
Work county: Sacramento
Work state: California

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $77,350
Basic Pay (before locality): $59,887
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 062105067
Length of Service (Years): 14
Occupation Code (OPM): 0102
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Jonathan Lettieri is a Social Science Aid and Technician at Department of Veterans Affairs based in Mather Afb, California. 2024 total compensation came to $77,350. They are classified at grade 09.

Guy Pierce

Social Science Aid and Technician/Department of Veterans Affairs

2024 total comp

$77,350

Sub-department: Veterans Health Administration
Base pay: $77,350
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $77,350
Pay grade: 09
Work city: Mcclellan
Work county: Sacramento
Work state: California

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $77,350
Basic Pay (before locality): $59,887
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 062025067
Length of Service (Years): 13
Occupation Code (OPM): 0102
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Guy Pierce is a Social Science Aid and Technician at Department of Veterans Affairs based in Mcclellan, California. 2024 total compensation came to $77,350. They are classified at grade 09.

Nicholas Garcia

Social Science Aid and Technician/Department of Veterans Affairs

2024 total comp

$77,350

Sub-department: Veterans Health Administration
Base pay: $77,350
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $77,350
Pay grade: 09
Work city: Mather Afb
Work county: Sacramento
Work state: California

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $77,350
Basic Pay (before locality): $59,887
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 062105067
Length of Service (Years): 16
Occupation Code (OPM): 0102
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Nicholas Garcia holds the role of Social Science Aid and Technician at Department of Veterans Affairs based in Mather Afb, California. In 2024, their total compensation was $77,350. Their pay grade is 09.

Sarah Shaffer

Social Science Aid and Technician/Department of Veterans Affairs

2024 total comp

$77,146

Sub-department: Veterans Health Administration
Base pay: $77,146
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $77,146
Pay grade: 09
Work city: Detroit
Work county: Wayne
Work state: Michigan

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $77,146
Basic Pay (before locality): $59,887
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 261260163
Length of Service (Years): 14
Occupation Code (OPM): 0102
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Sarah Shaffer is a Social Science Aid and Technician at Department of Veterans Affairs based in Detroit, Michigan. 2024 total compensation came to $77,146. They are classified at grade 09.

Ulysses Spencer

Social Science Aid and Technician/Department of Veterans Affairs

2024 total comp

$77,146

Sub-department: Veterans Health Administration
Base pay: $77,146
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $77,146
Pay grade: 09
Work city: Detroit
Work county: Wayne
Work state: Michigan

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $77,146
Basic Pay (before locality): $59,887
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 261260163
Length of Service (Years): 16
Occupation Code (OPM): 0102
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

At Department of Veterans Affairs, Ulysses Spencer serves as a Social Science Aid and Technician based in Detroit, Michigan. Their 2024 pay totaled $77,146. They are classified at grade 09.

Vincent Warren

Social Science Aid and Technician/Department of Veterans Affairs

2024 total comp

$77,146

Sub-department: Veterans Health Administration
Base pay: $77,146
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $77,146
Pay grade: 09
Work city: Ann Arbor
Work county: Washtenaw
Work state: Michigan

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $77,146
Basic Pay (before locality): $59,887
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 260150161
Length of Service (Years): 16
Occupation Code (OPM): 0102
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Vincent Warren is a Social Science Aid and Technician at Department of Veterans Affairs based in Ann Arbor, Michigan. 2024 total compensation came to $77,146. They are classified at grade 09.

Gerald Yensch

Social Science Aid and Technician/Department of Veterans Affairs

2024 total comp

$77,146

Sub-department: Veterans Health Administration
Base pay: $77,146
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $77,146
Pay grade: 09
Work city: Ann Arbor
Work county: Washtenaw
Work state: Michigan

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $77,146
Basic Pay (before locality): $59,887
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 260150161
Length of Service (Years): 32
Occupation Code (OPM): 0102
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Gerald Yensch holds the role of Social Science Aid and Technician at Department of Veterans Affairs based in Ann Arbor, Michigan. In 2024, their total compensation was $77,146. Their pay grade is 09.

Kenneth Crawford

Social Science Aid and Technician/Department of Veterans Affairs

2024 total comp

$77,130

Sub-department: Veterans Health Administration
Base pay: $77,130
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $77,130
Pay grade: 09
Work city: Martinez
Work county: Contra Costa
Work state: California

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $77,130
Basic Pay (before locality): $53,043
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 062090013
Length of Service (Years): 19
Occupation Code (OPM): 0102
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Kenneth Crawford is a Social Science Aid and Technician at Department of Veterans Affairs based in Martinez, California. 2024 total compensation came to $77,130. They are classified at grade 09.

Michael Myers

Social Science Aid and Technician/Department of Veterans Affairs

2024 total comp

$77,130

Sub-department: Veterans Health Administration
Base pay: $77,130
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $77,130
Pay grade: 09
Work city: Menlo Park
Work county: San Mateo
Work state: California

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $77,130
Basic Pay (before locality): $53,043
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 062140081
Length of Service (Years): 3
Occupation Code (OPM): 0102
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

At Department of Veterans Affairs, Michael Myers serves as a Social Science Aid and Technician based in Menlo Park, California. Their 2024 pay totaled $77,130. They are classified at grade 09.

Daric Desautel

Social Science Aid and Technician/Department of Veterans Affairs

2024 total comp

$77,130

Sub-department: Veterans Health Administration
Base pay: $77,130
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $77,130
Pay grade: 09
Work city: Menlo Park
Work county: San Mateo
Work state: California

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $77,130
Basic Pay (before locality): $53,043
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 062140081
Length of Service (Years): 5
Occupation Code (OPM): 0102
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Daric Desautel holds the role of Social Science Aid and Technician at Department of Veterans Affairs based in Menlo Park, California. In 2024, their total compensation was $77,130. Their pay grade is 09.

Steven Munoz

Social Science Aid and Technician/Department of Veterans Affairs

2024 total comp

$77,130

Sub-department: Veterans Health Administration
Base pay: $77,130
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $77,130
Pay grade: 09
Work city: Menlo Park
Work county: San Mateo
Work state: California

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $77,130
Basic Pay (before locality): $53,043
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 062140081
Length of Service (Years): 3
Occupation Code (OPM): 0102
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Steven Munoz works as a Social Science Aid and Technician for Department of Veterans Affairs based in Menlo Park, California. Steven earned $77,130 in 2024. Their pay grade is 09.

Dale Pushee

Social Science Aid and Technician/Department of Veterans Affairs

2024 total comp

$77,086

Sub-department: Veterans Health Administration
Base pay: $77,086
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $77,086
Pay grade: 10
Work city: White River Jctn
Work county: Windsor
Work state: Vermont

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $77,086
Basic Pay (before locality): $58,412
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 500750027
Length of Service (Years): 8
Occupation Code (OPM): 0102
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Dale Pushee works as a Social Science Aid and Technician for Department of Veterans Affairs based in White River Jctn, Vermont. Dale earned $77,086 in 2024. Their pay grade is 10.

Michael Dumaine

Social Science Aid and Technician/Department of Veterans Affairs

2024 total comp

$77,040

Sub-department: Veterans Health Administration
Base pay: $77,040
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $77,040
Pay grade: 10
Work city: Asheville
Work county: Buncombe
Work state: North Carolina

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $77,040
Basic Pay (before locality): $65,948
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 370170021
Length of Service (Years): 13
Occupation Code (OPM): 0102
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Michael Dumaine holds the role of Social Science Aid and Technician at Department of Veterans Affairs based in Asheville, North Carolina. In 2024, their total compensation was $77,040. Their pay grade is 10.

Rebecca Munoz

Social Science Aid and Technician/Department of Veterans Affairs

2024 total comp

$77,040

Sub-department: Veterans Health Administration
Base pay: $77,040
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $77,040
Pay grade: 10
Work city: Louisville
Work county: Jefferson
Work state: Kentucky

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $77,040
Basic Pay (before locality): $65,948
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 212090111
Length of Service (Years): 19
Occupation Code (OPM): 0102
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Rebecca Munoz is a Social Science Aid and Technician at Department of Veterans Affairs based in Louisville, Kentucky. 2024 total compensation came to $77,040. They are classified at grade 10.