Explore Jobs
Find Specific Jobs
Explore Careers
Explore Professions
Best Companies
Explore Companies
Job outlook for market research analysts in the United States
Market research analyst job growth summary. After extensive research, interviews, and analysis, Zippia's data science team found that:
The projected market research analyst job growth rate is 19% from 2018-2028.
About 150,300 new jobs for market research analysts are projected over the next decade.
Market research analyst salaries have increased 5% for market research analysts in the last 5 years.
There are over 42,757 market research analysts currently employed in the United States.
There are 71,240 active market research analyst job openings in the US.
The average market research analyst salary is $51,688.
Are market research analyst jobs in demand?
Market Research Analyst job and salary trends over time
Market Research Analyst jobs over time
Market Research Analyst job growth rate over time
| Year | # Of Jobs | % Of Population |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 42,757 | 0.01% |
| 2020 | 40,560 | 0.01% |
| 2019 | 39,875 | 0.01% |
| 2018 | 37,506 | 0.01% |
| 2017 | 35,052 | 0.01% |
Average market research analyst salary over time
Market Research Analyst salary by year
| Year | Avg. Salary | Hourly Rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $51,687 | $24.85 | +3.2% |
| 2024 | $50,101 | $24.09 | +1.1% |
| 2023 | $49,575 | $23.83 | --0.2% |
| 2022 | $49,661 | $23.88 | +1.1% |
| 2021 | $49,135 | $23.62 | +0.7% |
Market Research Analyst jobs by state
Most common states for market research analysts
| Rank | State | Population | # of Jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | District of Columbia | 693,972 | 296 | 43% |
| 2 | Vermont | 623,657 | 125 | 20% |
| 3 | Rhode Island | 1,059,639 | 203 | 19% |
| 4 | Oregon | 4,142,776 | 738 | 18% |
| 5 | New Hampshire | 1,342,795 | 240 | 18% |
| 6 | Delaware | 961,939 | 172 | 18% |
| 7 | Virginia | 8,470,020 | 1,317 | 16% |
| 8 | Minnesota | 5,576,606 | 898 | 16% |
| 9 | Colorado | 5,607,154 | 893 | 16% |
| 10 | California | 39,536,653 | 5,364 | 14% |
| 11 | Massachusetts | 6,859,819 | 933 | 14% |
| 12 | South Dakota | 869,666 | 123 | 14% |
| 13 | North Dakota | 755,393 | 104 | 14% |
| 14 | Pennsylvania | 12,805,537 | 1,722 | 13% |
| 15 | New Jersey | 9,005,644 | 1,181 | 13% |
| 16 | Utah | 3,101,833 | 406 | 13% |
| 17 | Nebraska | 1,920,076 | 256 | 13% |
| 18 | Montana | 1,050,493 | 135 | 13% |
| 19 | Illinois | 12,802,023 | 1,593 | 12% |
| 20 | Connecticut | 3,588,184 | 421 | 12% |
Most common cities for market research analysts
| Rank | City | # of Jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl | Avg. Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Frankfort | 2 | 7% | $43,830 |
| 2 | Juneau | 2 | 6% | $51,018 |
| 3 | Annapolis | 2 | 5% | $50,182 |
| 4 | Dover | 2 | 5% | $69,446 |
| 5 | Hartford | 3 | 2% | $54,529 |
| 6 | Lansing | 2 | 2% | $52,729 |
| 7 | Atlanta | 3 | 1% | $44,719 |
| 8 | Sacramento | 3 | 1% | $56,260 |
| 9 | Baton Rouge | 2 | 1% | $38,828 |
| 10 | Des Moines | 2 | 1% | $48,922 |
| 11 | Little Rock | 2 | 1% | $42,722 |
| 12 | Montgomery | 2 | 1% | $38,788 |
| 13 | Phoenix | 3 | 0% | $40,705 |
| 14 | Washington | 3 | 0% | $58,887 |
| 15 | Boston | 2 | 0% | $52,857 |
| 16 | Denver | 2 | 0% | $52,115 |
| 17 | Indianapolis | 2 | 0% | $43,609 |
Market Research Analyst job outlook: Expert opinions
Our panel of market research analyst experts
Susquehanna University
College of New Jersey, The
Montana State University - Billings
North Carolina State University
Oklahoma State University
Salem State University
Donnelly College
North Dakota State University
California State University - Chico
University of Nebraska - Omaha
University of Nebraska - Omaha
Middlebury College
Lafayette College
Furman University
University of Cincinnati
Pepperdine University
Chrissy Daeschner OTD, MS, OTR/L
Capstone CoordinatorWhat general advice would you give to a Market Research Analyst?
Chrissy Daeschner OTD, MS, OTR/L: By saying "Yes". Most companies have standard salaries or small scale for adjusting salary. Per Diem jobs, research interventionist, additional weekend on call, adjunct jobs, and other opportunities gives you the ability to increase salary and opportunities.
What Market Research Analyst skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Chrissy Daeschner OTD, MS, OTR/L: Research skills will be extremely important as the use of evidence-based research in practice and value-based services are imperative. Leadership and entrepreneurship skills will also be important as we promote programming and services in community-based settings.
What will help Market Research Analysts increase their earning potential?
Chrissy Daeschner OTD, MS, OTR/L: I would suggest they keep an open mind and don't be fearful of the unknown, embrace it. I think there is a lot of stress of a getting a certain job or style of job, but taking different opportunities increases your connections and experiences.
What general advice would you give to a Market Research Analyst?
Dr. Hualu Zheng PhD: Be data-driven – be able to draw conclusions based on meaningful data analysis is key to the success of a marketing leader. Continuously honing your skills in collecting, visualizing, and analyzing marketing data will pave the way for better knowledge of your company, the competition, and the industry. Be curious and stay updated – marketing is dynamic; it demands the professionals to continue to learn the new trends, news, policy changes, and technology innovations, to keep up with the evolvements and remain competitive. Network – build and expand your connections with other professionals in the field – Stay open-minded; people from other categories can offer invaluable insights that can be inspiring. These connections not only provide fresh perspectives but also open doors to potential future opportunities.
What Market Research Analyst skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Dr. Hualu Zheng PhD: Given the importance of data-driven decision making in the field of marketing, mastering data analysis is critical for the success of young marketing professionals. Additionally, the ability to utilize AI tools for analyzing market trends and data is equally essential.
What will help Market Research Analysts increase their earning potential?
Dr. Hualu Zheng PhD: Invest in Your Skills: Continuously investing in acquiring new skills and qualifications is critical. It can be especially beneficial to pursue sequential qualifications in one specialty, such as digital marketing or marketing analytics. For example, if a young professional is interested in the field of digital marketing, diving into the details of this sub-field and enhancing as many relevant skills as possible will significantly enhance the professional's competitiveness, their value to the organization, and therefore their salary potential. This might involve learning various facets like content creation, PR, digital posting, social media scheduling, graphic design, and digital analytics, etc.
What general advice would you give to a Market Research Analyst?
Dr. Piper Williams PhD: Students who major in AAS bring additional expertise and qualifications to any application - so a clear articulation of these could help to maximize salary potential. They will have: skills that will enable them to contribute to innovation in the workplace, a demonstrated capacity to think critically, communicate clearly, and solve complex problems, demonstrate ethical judgment and integrity; intercultural skills; and the capacity for continued new learning, critical thinking, complex problem-solving, written and oral communication, and applied knowledge in real-world settings.
What Market Research Analyst skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Dr. Piper Williams PhD: I would advise a graduate to reflect on what they've learned about the contributions, experiences, history and present reality of people of African descent in the New World. In addition, thinking about the skills they developed related to the major in African American Studies, including but not limited to: Research and Analysis, Writing, Public Speaking, Project Development and Completion, Ethical Reasoning, Listening, Teamwork and Collaboration, Perspective-Taking, Awareness of Context and what they call 'Cultural Competence. Use this education, to make the case that in addition to all the skills you can bring, the education offered by AAS will allow you to distinguish yourself as a candidate who can meet the needs the current moment demands. Black Americans encounter implicit racism in all walks of life: medicine and healthcare, law, politics and gov't, business and industry, performing arts and entertainment, sports, education, news media and social, community and humanitarian services. With this degree, you can enter almost any field and be more equitable to everyone you meet. (And by the way, in the list above, there are a number of people with a degree in African American Studies.)
What will help Market Research Analysts increase their earning potential?
Dr. Piper Williams PhD: As the chair of African American Studies (AAS) at TCNJ, I know that an AAS major combines the strengths of the traditional liberal arts major with the community engagement, cultural, and social awareness that is at the heart of the African American scholarly tradition. Students graduating with a degree in African American Studies will have the intellectual and practical tools to pursue any number of careers requiring analytical ability, cultural competence, and creative problem-solving skills.
What Market Research Analyst skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Dr. Sarah Keller: Be curious, be eager, hard working, and be kind. Build relationships with everyone in your network, not just those who you think will be useful to you. You never know how a relationship will benefit you down the line.
What general advice would you give to a Market Research Analyst?
Dr. Pieter Verhallen Ph.D.: Generally speaking, always negotiate salary and signing bonus -- there is only an upside to this. Switching jobs in times of high(er) inflation is also beneficial for salary increases. Seek certifications demonstrating proficiency in marketing analytic tools (such as Google Analytics).
What will help Market Research Analysts increase their earning potential?
Dr. Pieter Verhallen Ph.D.: Less marketing design skills, more marketing strategy skills (trend analysis, evaluation of alternatives).
What general advice would you give to a Market Research Analyst?
Dr. Héctor Lozada Ph.D.: First, define and build your personal brand. Know your strengths and weaknesses and identify opportunities to develop your strengths further and overcome or at least minimize your weaknesses. Answer the question, “What is your unique value proposition?” This means identifying what sets you apart and is based on your analysis of your strengths and weaknesses. Do your analytical skills set you apart? Is it your domain knowledge or your creativity? Make sure that your strengths are stated effectively in your resume and that you can have a conversation that supports them. Establishing a robust online presence is also helpful in solidifying your unique value proposition. Showcase your expertise, projects, and insights on platforms like LinkedIn. Did you work on class projects that demonstrate your expertise? Network with market research professionals and share your passion for market research (or your career of choice). Embrace change and stay curious about emerging trends, technologies, and methodologies. In my experience, adaptability is key.
What will help Market Research Analysts increase their earning potential?
Dr. Héctor Lozada Ph.D.: In my opinion, advancements in technology, particularly artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning, and big data analytics, are shaping the future of market research. These technologies will allow market researchers to analyze and gather large amounts of data more efficiently, leading to more accurate and actionable insights. Also, learn another language if you have not done so already.
What general advice would you give to a Market Research Analyst?
Jerry Rackley: Your degree is the ticket that got you in the door. The real learning begins when you start your first job. Be humble, have a willingness to learn, find a mentor within the company, be an excellent team member, be responsive, go the extra mile in performing tasks, and take solutions to your manager, not just problems.
What Market Research Analyst skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Jerry Rackley: Maximizing earnings potential is really about performance. What employers value are results, not activities. It's easy to stay busy and look busy, but what employees are evaluated on are the results they produce. Understand what results matter to the organization and focus on achieving them. Make sure you know what is in your performance plan because that's how you'll be evaluated. Don't hesitate to periodically seek feedback from your manager by asking 'how am I doing?' 'What can I do better?' 'If my performance review was today, what would it be?'
What will help Market Research Analysts increase their earning potential?
Jean-Paul James Ph.D.: I would recommend that while in college, students get as much experience via internships and networking. I always tell my students that getting a job ‘is about what you know as much as WHO you know. Networking can include going to industry conferences and taking advantage of networking with professors. Experience can include marketing class projects. Entry-level jobs are competitive and the marketing graduates with the most experience and the most contacts in their network—in tandem with their degree—will have the best chances of success. I would also recommend that students have an open mind when it comes to where they are starting their careers. The United States is a big country with lots of opportunities as well as global opportunities!
Dhuha Shareef
Donnelly College
Liberal Arts And Sciences, General Studies And Humanities
What general advice would you give to a Market Research Analyst?
Dhuha Shareef: 1. Research Salary Expectations : Before accepting a job offer, research the typical salary range for similar positions in your area and industry. Websites like Glassdoor and PayScale can provide helpful salary data. 2. Negotiate Your Salary : Don't be afraid to negotiate your salary, especially if you have relevant experience or skills that make you a strong candidate. Practice your negotiation skills and be prepared to make a case for why you deserve a higher salary. 3. Consider Additional Education or Certifications : Obtaining advanced degrees or relevant certifications can increase your earning potential in the liberal arts field. However, weigh the cost of further education against the potential salary increase. 4. Demonstrate Value : Once you're in the job, consistently demonstrate your value to the organization through your work performance, contributions, and achievements. This can position you for salary increases and advancement opportunities in the future.
What Market Research Analyst skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Dhuha Shareef: 1. Digital Literacy : As technology continues to advance, proficiency in digital tools and platforms will become increasingly important in many liberal arts careers. This includes skills like data analysis, social media management, and digital marketing. 2. Cultural Competence : With globalization and increasing diversity in workplaces, the ability to work effectively with people from different backgrounds and cultures will be highly valued. 3. Creativity and Innovation: Liberal arts graduates often bring a unique perspective and creative thinking to their work. The ability to innovate and adapt to new challenges will be key in the rapidly changing job market.
What general advice would you give to a Market Research Analyst?
Christina Weber PhD: There are a number of skills that will be important. Soft skills such as creativity, adaptability, collaboration, emotional intelligence, and persuasion. In addition, there is a growing need for folks who have high cultural competence, especially with understanding the experiences of diverse groups. Finally, there is a need for folks to have skills in social science research—understanding how to develop research projects, conduct surveys, focus groups, as well as experience with programs such as GIS, SPSS, and r-studio.
What Market Research Analyst skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Christina Weber PhD: As stated above, I think that having the skills listed above with help a lot with this. I also think that doing research on the field they are entering, so they know the typical salary can help folks with negotiating their salary.
What will help Market Research Analysts increase their earning potential?
Christina Weber PhD: My advice to students is to use the Career Center for support—practice interviewing, have several people read their resume. I also suggest people get on LinkedIn and start to develop their professional networks. Finally, I think folks should understand that careers happen over time and that your first job will likely not be your only job and that many people have winding career trajectories. It’s important to stay open and adaptable to the job market. Also, do not sell your skills short. You have a lot to add to the professional landscape.
What general advice would you give to a Market Research Analyst?
Cassandra Faith: New skills all seem to relate to new and advancing technology. Pay attention to trends as they develop especially as it relates to AI and marketing.
What will help Market Research Analysts increase their earning potential?
Cassandra Faith: Take advantage of every opportunity to learn something new. Attend conferences, take classes, learn new skills. It all adds up.
Ben Smith Ph.D.
Department Chair and Associate ProfessorUniversity of Nebraska - Omaha
Business/Managerial Economics
What general advice would you give to a Market Research Analyst?
Ben Smith Ph.D.: Students graduating with an undergraduate degree in economics often have job titles such as Data Analyst, Data Scientist, Market Research Analyst, Financial Analyst, Technical Analyst, and Research Associate. In essence they take on roles where they are doing research for the company. So, they can answer questions like ‘did that advertising campaign actually work?’ or ‘what is the best location for a franchise?’
What general advice would you give to a Market Research Analyst?
John Lyden: Research skills (ability to find and interpret information), oral and written communication skills (ability to present information clearly), data analysis and interpretation, language interpretation and translation. Computer facility will be highly valued. Employers will include those in higher education, government, non-profits, research institutes, and museums.
What Market Research Analyst skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
John Lyden: You should realize that your degree can lead to many careers, and that you can even change your career direction easily. Your degree has given you important skills in communication, critical thinking, analysis, and problem solving. Employers will see that you are good at adapting to new tasks and learning new skills that go well beyond the content you have studied.
What will help Market Research Analysts increase their earning potential?
John Lyden: Convey to potential employers the range of skills you possess and the ways you have used them. If you had an internship, describe the skills you used and explain how they can apply to various jobs. Emphasize and demonstrate your communication and research skills. Give examples from the courses you took and explain the connections between them that have allowed you to utilize higher order thinking of analysis and synthesis. Your degree in Religion can also be combined with a complementary minor or double major and may lead you to graduate school in almost any field you choose to pursue.
What general advice would you give to a Market Research Analyst?
Jeffrey Knopf: Some of the most important skills are traditional skills. Good communication skills are still number one. The ability to write well and communicate clearly will always help you. Qualitative research skills also remain important. The ability to learn from history or understand other cultures will always be valuable. Beyond this, I am seeing increasing demand for a variety of hard practical skills, such as data analytics or imagery analysis. Finally, in a world where the problems of misinformation and disinformation keep getting worse, critical thinking skills and the ability to discern what is true and what is fake will only increase in importance.
What Market Research Analyst skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Jeffrey Knopf: Getting your foot in the door is still the most important first step. For example, if you can get a government job, even if it's not your preferred position, it becomes easier to learn about other openings and to move lateral to something better. Doing a good job also helps. If you prove your worth to employers, they will want to keep you and promote you, or your bosses may want to bring you with them if they move elsewhere. Finally, it is good to have specific skills or training you can highlight. These might include being fluent in other languages or having data analytics skills, among others.
What will help Market Research Analysts increase their earning potential?
Jeffrey Knopf: It's a good idea to be open to different possibilities. If a graduate is willing to say yes to an opportunity, even if it is not ideally what they were looking for, this can open the door to better opportunities down the road. Relationships with other people are also very important. The better you can get along with and work with other people, the more those people will become part of your network and maybe able to help you later on.
What general advice would you give to a Market Research Analyst?
Brett Hendrickson PhD, MDiv (he/him): Remember that employers in many sectors want and need people with the skill set that Religious Studies teaches you. With a Religious Studies major, you have high levels of cultural competence and cultural empathy. Your critical thinking skills are matched by your ability to communicate your ideas in both oral and written formats. When it comes to problem-solving, you are highly skilled in studying and understanding the historical, political, and ethical contexts that guide people's decision making. You are an expert researcher, able to read and digest large amounts of text in a short amount of time.
What Market Research Analyst skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Brett Hendrickson PhD, MDiv (he/him): Religious Studies majors who wish to maximize their salary potential should be bold in articulating the digital research tools that they learned as part of their education. Religious Studies graduates know how to use and assess historical and cultural data from multiple online data sources. They should also emphasize their excellent interpersonal skills and that they are well-versed in interacting with diverse people on highly sensitive topics.
What will help Market Research Analysts increase their earning potential?
Brett Hendrickson PhD, MDiv (he/him): The skills that will be even more important in the near and long-term future are culturally-competent communication, problem-solving and critical thinking, and information literacy.
What general advice would you give to a Market Research Analyst?
Lori Bruce MA, MBE, HEC-C: Multidisciplinary partnership is critical, since bioethicists can be “gatekeepers;” their policies may influence which members of the public receive certain health services, and which do not receive them. Knowledge, applied cautiously! It’s important to have a nuanced understanding of many bioethics principles and theories, and apply them with caution, so that the most relevant values are influencing your work.
What Market Research Analyst skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Lori Bruce MA, MBE, HEC-C: If you only have a Bachelor’s degree in bioethics, your best bet is probably to get a position within research ethics. These positions are in academic institutions or private industry, and you can move up in management. You could work in Human Research Subject Protection, or for an Institutional Animal Care and Use Committees. All these positions mean you would review research studies and suggest modifications to ensure they are in line with federal standards. This is important work to safeguard trust in medicine!
What will help Market Research Analysts increase their earning potential?
Lori Bruce MA, MBE, HEC-C: Multidisciplinary partnership is critical, since bioethicists can be “gatekeepers;” their policies may influence which members of the public receive certain health services, and which do not receive them.
Knowledge, applied cautiously! It’s important to have a nuanced understanding of many bioethics principles and theories, and apply them with caution, so that the most relevant values are influencing your work.
What will help Market Research Analysts increase their earning potential?
Dr. Anna McAlister Ph.D: It’s very important to be polite but at the same time, not too humble. Showcase your talents! Even if you have not mastered a skill, if you have some level of proficiency you should let people know about it! As an example, I teach a video editing course to undergraduate students. When students leave my class, they are proficient using Camtasia. They may not be experts, but they are certainly proficient. They have a skill that many other entry level employees do not possess. I nag them to put it on their resumés. Many entry level employees looking for marketing jobs do not have experience with video editing. Show off the skill!
Also, show off any extracurricular activities you’ve engaged in. For example, students who take leadership roles in clubs and organizations on campus should put that on their resumes. The nature of the club doesn’t really matter. What matters is that the student can show they’re organized, committed, etc. For example, at Endicott College I advise Charity Craft Club. This club does crafts (knitting, painting, jewelry making) and we sell items to raise money for charity. In the past I’ve had students say to me things like “Should I really put Charity Craft Club on my resumé? It’s not a business club.” I say “absolutely!”. Showing you have a leadership role in that club is a signal that you’re a leader!
Negotiate! The time between getting the job offer and accepting the job is the prime time for negotiating. But don’t be too cocky. It’s a difficult line to walk and so it is essential to seek input from “seasoned” professionals. Talk to people in the industry who are a bit more advanced than you. Talk to internship supervisors, professors, or employees at the company if you are able to connect with them. Also review online resources (eg. Glassdoor, ZipRecruiter, Salary.com). As much as possible, try to know your worth. You don’t want to be too cocky and ask for an outrageous salary. But you also don’t want to accept a lowball offer. Sometimes the salary isn’t very flexible but other benefits or perks might be.
Finally, I would say it’s important to think about bringing solutions. What can you do for the company you hope will hire you? What problems can you solve for them? Again, this speaks to that idea of being a lifelong learner. An entry level employee can offer a fresh perspective and a willingness to explore new options. Current employees may be a little set in their ways. An entry level employee can be ready to learn and adapt and bring new knowledge to the company. Don’t worry about not knowing enough or not having enough experience. Just be ready to hit the ground running. You may be the breath of fresh air the company needs!
What general advice would you give to a Market Research Analyst?
Dr. Claire Gilliland PhD: The skills we prioritize in sociology (generating research questions, thinking critically, examining social systems, analyzing multiple types of data) are all skills that are well-suited to multiple different careers, but it may require some translation to match the priorities of a particular field.
What Market Research Analyst skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Dr. Claire Gilliland PhD: I've only worked in academia, so I don't have a good sense about salary potential or where the field is heading. Someone in career services would know more about what job ads are looking for in current graduates.
What will help Market Research Analysts increase their earning potential?
Dr. Claire Gilliland PhD: my general advice is for students to be thoughtful and strategic about how they sell the skills they've gained in sociology to potential employers. The skills we prioritize in sociology (generating research questions, thinking critically, examining social systems, analyzing multiple types of data) are all skills that are well-suited to multiple different careers, but it may require some translation to match the priorities of a particular field. For example, students would describe a class paper where they searched for and read about empirical research as a "literature review," a term that mostly applies to academic work. However, the skills required for a literature review are gathering, analyzing, and synthesizing information from a range of sources, which is a skill many employers would want in a future employee.
What general advice would you give to a Market Research Analyst?
Dr. Jennifer Caplan PhD: Technology advances so quickly these days that staying on top of advances will be really important. Luckily, any religion major has spent a ton of time thinking about the way society advances and develops, so you're well-positioned to be an early adopter of new software and tech platforms.
What Market Research Analyst skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Dr. Jennifer Caplan PhD: The great thing about a religion major, of course, is that there IS no one field you're funneled into! Religion majors succeed highly in EVERY field, because you get such well-rounded training. So the best way to maximize your salary potential is to harness the skills you have gained, and to tap into the innate curiosity and interest in the world to throw yourself into your new career and ensure you shine. Religion majors know how to see the big picture of the world around them and how to really analyze the documents or tasks in front of them. Those are talents that are perfect to help you rise to the top!
What will help Market Research Analysts increase their earning potential?
Dr. Jennifer Caplan PhD: My biggest advice would be to use the skills you have spent 4 years developing to your best advantage! The transition from being a senior who knows a lot to a new member of a field can be rough, so just remember that you have killer reading comprehension, excellent writing skills, and an ability to synthesize information that far outstrips colleagues who came through less interdisciplinary majors, so use those to learn quickly and nail your new workload!
What general advice would you give to a Market Research Analyst?
Anna Penner: Other than getting a job teaching sociology, there really aren't jobs that will be advertised as looking for a sociologist. But sociology gives you tools to be able to work in nearly whatever industry you want to be in. Don't limit yourself to a "sociology" job and don't sell yourself short because you don't have a major the job may be aimed at. Because many people don't have a clear understanding of what sociology is, you will likely need to explain how your degree has positioned you to be uniquely qualified to do the job you're applying for. You have a lot of skills that employers want and need; look over job descriptions and find ways that you can meet and exceed the expectations for those jobs and make sure to call attention to them in job applications and interviews.
What Market Research Analyst skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Anna Penner: Market yourself strategically. Think about what you learned by getting a sociology degree--the ability to do original research and analyze data, the ability to understand how institutions shape society and individuals, the ability to think critically about problems you see in the world around you. Make sure to highlight the assets that you bring to the table as a possible outsider to the industry you are applying for. Also be aware that you may need to spend some time making less than you'd like, but know what you're worth, and after some time proving yourself at your organization make sure you're properly compensated for what you add to the team.
What will help Market Research Analysts increase their earning potential?
Anna Penner: Methodological skills are important. Knowing how to construct a good survey or conduct an interview to get rich data is critical. But I think just as important as being able to analyze qualitative or statistical data, is finding ways to communicate results in clear and compelling ways so that stakeholders know what action to take is equally important. Some of the gaps we are seeing between science and the general public today could be ameliorated by someone explaining findings in concise and applicable ways that show why we should care about this information. You could be the bridge from expertise to the general public.