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What is a market research analyst and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read
Quoted Experts
Christopher Ball Ph.D.,
Dr. Anne Paulet Ph.D.
introduction image

A market research analyst is someone who gathers and analyzes data to help companies make informed business decisions. They use various research methods such as surveys, focus groups, and data analysis tools to collect and interpret data on topics such as consumer behavior, market trends, and product performance to develop marketing strategies and forecast future trends. Market research analysts then use this information to create reports and presentations that communicate their findings to clients and stakeholders.

What general advice would you give to a Market Research Analyst?

Christopher Ball Ph.D.Christopher Ball Ph.D. LinkedIn Profile

Director Central European Institute & Istvan Szechenyi Chair Associate Professor of Economics, Quinnipiac University

Economics is a broad, analytical, and generally more quantitative significant. Because it's a social science, that helps students understand nearly any field because they know all fundamental interactions between people in markets (supply and demand) or inside workplaces (incentives, optimal production, etc.). And because much of economics focuses on the market place (supply and demand), our majors have an understanding of the core principles involved in all business disciplines. As a result, I recommend our students aim for more quantitative jobs and those using more analysis. The specific field is less important, and I always recommend people seek employment in areas they like. When you enjoy something, you work harder, and you are more likely to succeed. Because economics forms the basis of so many things in business, from the marketing to production to the management, economics majors tend to start similarly to other majors and then change trajectories and rise faster than other majors. A few years out and they are ideal for management because they can apply economic concepts to any area and learn the basics quickly.
However, if someone is quantitatively oriented and added a technical minor to the econ major like data science or something, then those students are in super high demand, COVID crisis or not. We still see them graduating with some of the highest starting salaries and having much higher wage,s just five years out, than most other graduates. All the benefits of economics being analytical and quantitative combines well with those hardcore data skills to form a compelling combination.
ScoreMarket Research AnalystUS Average
Salary
4.0

Avg. Salary $51,688

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability Level
4.9

Growth Rate 19%

Growth Rate 0.3%

Diversity
3.0
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.13%

Asian 14.28%

Black or African American 4.74%

Hispanic or Latino 11.28%

Unknown 4.89%

White 64.68%

Gender

female 48.76%

male 51.24%

Age - 34
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 34
Stress Level
4.9

Stress level is manageable

7.1 - high

Complexity Level
8.2

Complexity Level is challenging

7 - challenging

Work Life Balance
4.6

Work Life balance is fair

6.4 - fair

What are the pros and cons of being a Market Research Analyst?

Pros

  • Opportunity to work with a variety of industries and companies

  • Ability to use data to make informed decisions

  • Potential for high salary and advancement opportunities

  • Exposure to new technologies and methodologies

  • Chance to work on interesting and unique projects

Cons

  • High-pressure environment with tight deadlines

  • Often repetitive and tedious work

  • Requires attention to detail and accuracy in data analysis

  • Potential for long hours and working weekends/holidays

  • Can be stressful dealing with client demands and expectations

Market Research Analyst career paths

Key steps to become a market research analyst

  1. Explore market research analyst education requirements

    Most common market research analyst degrees

    Bachelor's

    72.0 %

    Master's

    19.5 %

    Associate

    4.4 %
  2. Start to develop specific market research analyst skills

    SkillsPercentages
    PowerPoint8.00%
    Data Analysis8.00%
    SPSS4.79%
    Market Research4.70%
    Data Collection4.43%
  3. Complete relevant market research analyst training and internships

    Accountants spend an average of 1-3 months on post-employment, on-the-job training. New market research analysts learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as a market research analyst based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real market research analyst resumes.
  4. Research market research analyst duties and responsibilities

    • Manage thousands of accounts using CRM software such as SalesForce.
    • Lead CRM presentation including product demo with business benefits to the client.
    • Perform statistical analysis using Minitab and SPSS.
    • Conduct primary research of aftermarket warranty products and analyze results using SPSS.
  5. Get market research analyst experience

    Generally, it takes 4-6 years to become a market research analyst. The most common roles before becoming a market research analyst include internship, research assistant team lead and marketing internship.
  6. Prepare your market research analyst resume

    When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your market research analyst resume.

    You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on a market research analyst resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.

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  7. Apply for market research analyst jobs

    Now it's time to start searching for a market research analyst job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:

    1. Browse job boards for relevant postings
    2. Consult your professional network
    3. Reach out to companies you're interested in working for directly
    4. Watch out for job scams

How Did You Land Your First Market Research Analyst Job

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Average market research analyst salary

The average Market Research Analyst salary in the United States is $51,688 per year or $25 per hour. Market research analyst salaries range between $36,000 and $73,000 per year.

Average Market Research Analyst Salary
$51,688 Yearly
$24.85 hourly

What Am I Worth?

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How do market research analysts rate their job?

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Market Research Analyst reviews

profile
A zippia user wrote a review on Aug 2021
Cons

To be rejected


profile
A zippia user wrote a review on Jul 2020
Pros

Compiling data of organization and implementing strategies to measure growth in business

Cons

Fundamental Economics


profile
A zippia user wrote a review on Nov 2019
Cons

Sitting for long periods of time.


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Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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