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The differences between market research analysts and marketing 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 market research analyst and a marketing specialist. Additionally, a marketing specialist has an average salary of $54,942, which is higher than the $51,688 average annual salary of a market research analyst.
The top three skills for a market research analyst include powerpoint, data analysis and SPSS. The most important skills for a marketing specialist are digital marketing, marketing campaigns, and project management.
| Market Research Analyst | Marketing Specialist | |
| Yearly salary | $51,688 | $54,942 |
| Hourly rate | $24.85 | $26.41 |
| Growth rate | 19% | 19% |
| Number of jobs | 71,240 | 87,145 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 72% | Bachelor's Degree, 78% |
| Average age | 37 | 37 |
| Years of experience | 6 | 6 |
A market research analyst is an individual who studies the market conditions so that he/she or she can examine the potential sales of an organization's product or service. Market research analysts are required to devise and evaluate methods for collecting data such as surveys, focus groups, and opinion polls. They must interpret the data they have collected and presented their findings to executives and clients to help them make better-informed decisions. Market research analysts are also required to create visuals of industry trends and competitors so the company can predict how it fares in the marketplace.
A marketing specialist's primary responsibility revolves around conducting thorough market research and analysis to acquire extensive knowledge and understanding of a brand and how it will work in the consumer market. They must determine and come up with strategies and utilize this to develop various programs or campaigns that would be vital in bringing more awareness to the brand, thus boosting sales and improving client base. Furthermore, a marketing specialist must also use their expertise to figure out new opportunities and trends that will work for the company.
Market research analysts and marketing specialists have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Market Research Analyst | Marketing Specialist | |
| Average salary | $51,688 | $54,942 |
| Salary range | Between $36,000 And $73,000 | Between $36,000 And $82,000 |
| Highest paying City | Seattle, WA | Seattle, WA |
| Highest paying state | Delaware | Washington |
| Best paying company | Imply | |
| Best paying industry | Technology | Technology |
There are a few differences between a market research analyst and a marketing specialist in terms of educational background:
| Market Research Analyst | Marketing Specialist | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 72% | Bachelor's Degree, 78% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | University of Georgia | University of Georgia |
Here are the differences between market research analysts' and marketing specialists' demographics:
| Market Research Analyst | Marketing Specialist | |
| Average age | 37 | 37 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 51.2% Female, 48.8% | Male, 35.5% Female, 64.5% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 4.7% Unknown, 4.9% Hispanic or Latino, 11.3% Asian, 14.3% White, 64.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.1% | Black or African American, 5.2% Unknown, 5.0% Hispanic or Latino, 12.5% Asian, 11.2% White, 65.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.1% |
| LGBT Percentage | 10% | 10% |