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The differences between market research analysts and research leaders 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 research leader. Additionally, a research leader has an average salary of $107,345, 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 research leader are data collection, data analysis, and market research.
| Market Research Analyst | Research Leader | |
| Yearly salary | $51,688 | $107,345 |
| Hourly rate | $24.85 | $51.61 |
| Growth rate | 19% | 19% |
| Number of jobs | 71,240 | 77,051 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 72% | Bachelor's Degree, 66% |
| 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.
Research Leaders are academicians who oversee a group of researchers conducting a study. They are usually well-known researchers in their field of study or area of interest. They manage the group throughout the whole research process. They may orient them at the start of the engagement to ensure that everyone is on the same page. Research Leaders direct the group in identifying the resources needed, finding these resources, and eventually managing them. They also guide the team in conducting the research properly by providing strategic direction, sharing techniques, and helping them analyze the gathered data. With their experience in the field, Research Leaders usually provide frameworks that the team may work within.
Market research analysts and research leaders have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Market Research Analyst | Research Leader | |
| Average salary | $51,688 | $107,345 |
| Salary range | Between $36,000 And $73,000 | Between $64,000 And $178,000 |
| Highest paying City | Seattle, WA | Jersey City, NJ |
| Highest paying state | Delaware | New Jersey |
| Best paying company | Imply | Meta |
| Best paying industry | Technology | Pharmaceutical |
There are a few differences between a market research analyst and a research leader in terms of educational background:
| Market Research Analyst | Research Leader | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 72% | Bachelor's Degree, 66% |
| Most common major | Business | Psychology |
| Most common college | University of Georgia | Northwestern University |
Here are the differences between market research analysts' and research leaders' demographics:
| Market Research Analyst | Research Leader | |
| Average age | 37 | 37 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 51.2% Female, 48.8% | Male, 56.4% Female, 43.6% |
| 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, 4.8% Unknown, 4.9% Hispanic or Latino, 11.3% Asian, 14.3% White, 64.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.1% |
| LGBT Percentage | 10% | 10% |