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The differences between directors, market research and research specialists can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 4-6 years to become both a director, market research and a research specialist. Additionally, a director, market research has an average salary of $112,955, which is higher than the $52,662 average annual salary of a research specialist.
The top three skills for a director, market research include market research, data analysis and competitive intelligence. The most important skills for a research specialist are data collection, patients, and research projects.
| Director, Market Research | Research Specialist | |
| Yearly salary | $112,955 | $52,662 |
| Hourly rate | $54.31 | $25.32 |
| Growth rate | 19% | 19% |
| Number of jobs | 59,598 | 79,341 |
| Job satisfaction | - | 4 |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 67% | Bachelor's Degree, 61% |
| Average age | 37 | 37 |
| Years of experience | 6 | 6 |
A director of market research oversees and directs the market research programs of a company. They must set goals and timelines, establish budgets and strategies, liaise with internal and external parties, and develop market research plans according to company objectives and standards. They may also participate in recruiting researchers and other experts, conducting market research and interviews, identifying key participants, and reviewing findings. Moreover, they lead staff in the joint effort to reach program goals, all while implementing company policies and regulations.
In a laboratory setting, a research specialist's responsibilities primarily revolve around conducting thorough research and analysis, producing extensive detailed reports, reviewing results, and coordinating with senior researchers and other laboratory personnel to ensure the accuracy of results. Furthermore, a research specialist may contribute their expertise to other publications and articles, train or supervise new researchers, and implement all laboratory guidelines and safety regulations at all times.
Directors, market research and research specialists have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Director, Market Research | Research Specialist | |
| Average salary | $112,955 | $52,662 |
| Salary range | Between $68,000 And $185,000 | Between $35,000 And $77,000 |
| Highest paying City | Dover, DE | Seattle, WA |
| Highest paying state | Delaware | Washington |
| Best paying company | Barclays | Novartis |
| Best paying industry | Hospitality | Technology |
There are a few differences between a director, market research and a research specialist in terms of educational background:
| Director, Market Research | Research Specialist | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 67% | Bachelor's Degree, 61% |
| Most common major | Business | Biology |
| Most common college | University of Georgia | University of Georgia |
Here are the differences between directors, market research' and research specialists' demographics:
| Director, Market Research | Research Specialist | |
| Average age | 37 | 37 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 57.6% Female, 42.4% | Male, 38.0% Female, 62.0% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 5.2% Unknown, 5.0% Hispanic or Latino, 12.4% Asian, 11.7% White, 65.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.1% | Black or African American, 4.7% Unknown, 4.9% Hispanic or Latino, 11.2% Asian, 14.1% White, 65.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.1% |
| LGBT Percentage | 10% | 10% |