Post job

How to hire a market research associate

Market research associate hiring summary. Here are some key points about hiring market research associates in the United States:

  • There are a total of 37,558 market research associates in the US, and there are currently 55,558 job openings in this field.
  • The median cost to hire a market research associate is $1,633.
  • Small businesses spend $1,105 per market research associate on training each year, while large companies spend $658.
  • It takes between 36 and 42 days to fill the average role in the US.
  • It takes approximately 12 weeks for a new employee to reach full productivity levels.
  • HR departments typically allocate 15% of their budget towards recruitment efforts.
  • New York, NY, has the highest demand for market research associates, with 69 job openings.

How to hire a market research associate, step by step

To hire a market research associate, consider the skills and experience you are looking for in a candidate, allocate a budget for the position, and post and promote the job opening to reach potential candidates. Follow these steps to hire a market research associate:

Here's a step-by-step market research associate hiring guide:

  • Step 1: Identify your hiring needs
  • Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
  • Step 3: Make a budget
  • Step 4: Write a market research associate job description
  • Step 5: Post your job
  • Step 6: Interview candidates
  • Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new market research associate
  • Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

What does a market research associate do?

A market research associate is responsible for conducting data and statistical analysis within the current market trends to identify business opportunities that would generate more revenue resources and increase the company's profitability. Market research associates analyze research methods, perform consumer surveys, and plan interviews. They also assist the marketing team in developing promotional materials and campaigns, monitor social media content, and manage press releases. A market research associate must have excellent organizational and communication skills, especially in interacting with correspondents and meeting timelines.

Learn more about the specifics of what a market research associate does
jobs
Post a market research associate job for free, promote it for a fee
  1. Identify your hiring needs

    Before you post your market research associate job, you should take the time to determine what type of worker your business needs. While certain jobs definitely require a full-time employee, it's sometimes better to find a market research associate for hire on a part-time basis or as a contractor.

    Determine employee vs contractor status
    Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

    A market research associate's background is also an important factor in determining whether they'll be a good fit for the position. For example, market research associates from different industries or fields will have radically different experiences and will bring different viewpoints to the role. You also need to consider the candidate's previous level of experience to make sure they'll be comfortable with the job's level of seniority.

    This list presents market research associate salaries for various positions.

    Type of Market Research AssociateDescriptionHourly rate
    Market Research AssociateMarket research analysts study market conditions to examine potential sales of a product or service. They help companies understand what products people want, who will buy them, and at what price.$31-72
    Marketing InternshipMarketing interns are usually marketing students or fresh graduates who are interested in getting actual work experiences before taking on a full-time job. They usually have an interest or academic background related to marketing... Show more$11-18
    Market Analyst InternshipWhen it comes to a marketing analyst internship, an intern primarily follows a senior or a more experienced officer's directives. Most of their tasks will revolve around processing paperwork, maintaining records and databases, participating in research and analyses, and assisting senior analysts in various projects... Show more$18-48
  2. Create an ideal candidate profile

    Common skills:
    • PowerPoint
    • Financial Models
    • Macro
    • Capital Markets
    • Sales Floor
    • Research Reports
    • Due Diligence
    • Fixed Income
    • Grinders
    • Data Analysis
    • Business Development
    • Securities
    • Real Estate
    • SQL
    Check all skills
    Responsibilities:
    • Manage existing client relationships and provide support during origination process which improve overall customer relations.
    • Support with marketing on all social media platforms including hootsuite, instagram, twitter, facebook, and the website.
    • Analyze Instagram account and Facebook for insight in their digital presence!
    • Analyze daily changes in macro economic trends to create attractive sales strategies for fix income clients.
    • Facilitate facebook, twitter, telephone and email business relationships.
    • Leane data entry through SPSS.
    More market research associate duties
  3. Make a budget

    Including a salary range in your market research associate job description is one of the best ways to attract top talent. A market research associate can vary based on:

    • Location. For example, market research associates' average salary in hawaii is 73% less than in new jersey.
    • Seniority. Entry-level market research associates 57% less than senior-level market research associates.
    • Certifications. A market research associate with certifications usually earns a higher salary.
    • Company. Working for an established firm or a new start-up company can make a big difference in a market research associate's salary.

    Average market research associate salary

    $99,880yearly

    $48.02 hourly rate

    Entry-level market research associate salary
    $65,000 yearly salary
    Updated January 22, 2026

    Average market research associate salary by state

    RankStateAvg. salaryHourly rate
    1New Jersey$125,936$61
    2New York$111,062$53
    3Connecticut$107,517$52
    4District of Columbia$94,458$45
    5Washington$93,457$45
    6Maryland$84,981$41
    7Minnesota$83,943$40
    8Oregon$82,382$40
    9Massachusetts$81,486$39
    10Virginia$81,312$39
    11Michigan$81,259$39
    12Ohio$78,811$38
    13Texas$78,446$38
    14Pennsylvania$77,647$37
    15North Carolina$76,995$37
    16Illinois$76,842$37
    17California$75,746$36
    18Georgia$73,394$35
    19Indiana$70,513$34
    20Colorado$67,763$33

    Average market research associate salary by company

    RankCompanyAverage salaryHourly rateJob openings
    1Shearman & Sterling$155,663$74.84
    2DLA Piper$143,351$68.921
    3Pacific Investment Management Company LLC$137,266$65.9915
    4Google$131,053$63.01221
    5Citi$129,003$62.028
    6Square$127,145$61.13
    7Sidley Austin$127,097$61.10
    8Deerfield Management$127,063$61.091
    9Santander Private Banking International$126,972$61.041
    10Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group$126,874$61.00
    11Tishman$126,017$60.59
    12Nomura Securities$125,448$60.316
    13MUFG EMEA$124,924$60.06
    14Natwest Group Holdings Corporation$123,448$59.35
    15J.P. Morgan$122,420$58.86
    16HSBC Bank$122,209$58.75
    17SoFi$121,918$58.6113
    18Advent Software$121,743$58.53
    19Goldman Sachs$121,063$58.2021
    20Royal Bank of Canada$120,854$58.104
  4. Writing a market research associate job description

    A market research associate job description should include a summary of the role, required skills, and a list of responsibilities. It's also good to include a salary range and the first name of the hiring manager. To help get you started, here's an example of a market research associate job description:

    Market research associate job description example

    Plum Market – 3601 Plymouth Rd., Ann Arbor Mi 48105

    Part Time positions available starting at $14/hr.

    Plum Market is an emerging leader in the Grocery Retail industry. We are committed to stocking the very best selections of All Natural, Organic, Local, and Specialty Grocery items.

    Our Team Members are passionate about delivering the highest quality food, beverage, and grocery essentials to our Customers, helping them achieve a better lifestyle. We make our Team Members and our Customers our top priority by delivering the best possible Customer retail experience.

    Our Plum Market Grocery Stores are a reflection of the very communities we serve. From our Team Members to our Customers, local vendors and product selection, we are proud of the inclusive culture in which we thrive, and strive to promote at Plum Market. If you share our enthusiasm, please apply to see how you may fit in.

    Benefits of working at Plum Market:

    Part time positions available.

    We can offer a variety of retail shifts to work with your schedule.

    You can learn about great food and grow your passion at the same time.

    We provide exceptional training to help you grow your knowledge.

    Paid time and a half for working any of these five federally recognized holidays: New Year’s Day, Labor Day, Fourth of July, Memorial Day and Thanksgiving.

    Promotional opportunities. We are a growing company and you can grow with us!

    Variety of medical, dental, and vision benefits to cover you and/or your family.

    401k with company match after a 6 month waiting period.

    20% off Team Member Discount.

    50% off Team Member Lunch Discount.

    Plum Market offers a desirable and rewarding place to work.

    Description:

    The Floral & Candy Associate is responsible for providing exceptional Customer Service. They will make sure the Floral & Candy Department is will stocked for our Customers. They will assist in receiving, store and stocking of merchandise while ensuring proper rotation and quality. They will build displays, process damaged product and maintain a proper fronting of the Floral & Candy Department.

    Who you are:

    You are passionate and wish to continuously learn and grow your capabilities.

    You model and provide exceptional Customer Service.

    You value inclusion and work to create an environment where everyone feels welcomed and every voice is heard.

    You love a challenge and the satisfaction that comes from meeting it.

    You inspire people to want to be their best selves.

    You have a love for all natural, organic and specialty products.

    You have an eye for detail and enjoy merchandising.

    What you will bring:

    Passion for Customer Service.

    Self-motivation.

    Detail oriented nature.

    Able to work a variety of shifts including nights, weekends and holidays.

    Excellent verbal and written communication skills.

    Able to stand and walk for up to 4 hours without a break.

    Ability to bend and stoop to grasp objects, climb ladders, lift loads, up to 50 lbs. unassisted, push and pull carts weighing up to 100 lbs. unassisted.

    What you will do:

    Give exceptional Service to our Customers.

    Create.

    Execute.

    Teach.

    Learn.

    Follow up.

    Help other Team Members in the Floral & Candy Department.

    Communicate effectively with Customers, Team Members, Store Leadership and Director Group.

    Adhere to all Plum Market policies and standard operating procedures.

  5. Post your job

    To find market research associates for your business, try out a few different recruiting strategies:

    • Consider internal talent. One of the most important talent pools for any company is its current employees.
    • Ask for referrals. Reach out to friends, family members, and your current work to ask if they know any market research associates they would recommend.
    • Recruit at local colleges. Attend job fairs at local colleges to recruit entry-level market research associates with the right educational background.
    • Social media platforms. LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter have more than 3.5 billion users, and they're a great place for company branding and reaching potential job candidates.
    Post your job online:
    • Post your market research associate job on Zippia to find and recruit market research associate candidates who meet your exact specifications.
    • Use field-specific websites such as swipe files, exit five, marketinghire, american marketing association.
    • Post a job on free websites.
  6. Interview candidates

    Your first interview with market research associate candidates should focus on their interest in the role and background experience. As the hiring process goes on, you can learn more about how they'd fit into the company culture in later rounds of interviews.

    Remember to include a few questions that allow candidates to expand on their strengths in their own words. Asking about their unique skills might reveal things you'd miss otherwise. At this point, good candidates can move on to the technical interview.

    The right interview questions can help you assess a candidate's hard skills, behavioral intelligence, and soft skills.

  7. Send a job offer and onboard your new market research associate

    Once you've decided on a perfect market research associate candidate, it's time to write an offer letter. In addition to salary, it should include benefits and perks available to the employee. Qualified candidates may be considered for other positions, so make sure your offer is competitive. Candidates may wish to negotiate. Once you've settled on the details, formalize your agreement with a contract.

    It's equally important to follow up with applicants who don't get the job with an email letting them know that the position has been filled.

    After that, you can create an onboarding schedule for a new market research associate. Human Resources and the hiring manager should complete Employee Action Forms. Human Resources should also ensure that onboarding paperwork is completed, including I-9s, benefits enrollment, federal and state tax forms, etc., and that new employee files are created.

  8. Go through the hiring process checklist

    • Determine employee type (full-time, part-time, contractor, etc.)
    • Submit a job requisition form to the HR department
    • Define job responsibilities and requirements
    • Establish budget and timeline
    • Determine hiring decision makers for the role
    • Write job description
    • Post job on job boards, company website, etc.
    • Promote the job internally
    • Process applications through applicant tracking system
    • Review resumes and cover letters
    • Shortlist candidates for screening
    • Hold phone/virtual interview screening with first round of candidates
    • Conduct in-person interviews with top candidates from first round
    • Score candidates based on weighted criteria (e.g., experience, education, background, cultural fit, skill set, etc.)
    • Conduct background checks on top candidates
    • Check references of top candidates
    • Consult with HR and hiring decision makers on job offer specifics
    • Extend offer to top candidate(s)
    • Receive formal job offer acceptance and signed employment contract
    • Inform other candidates that the position has been filled
    • Set and communicate onboarding schedule to new hire(s)
    • Complete new hire paperwork (i9, benefits enrollment, tax forms, etc.)
    Sign up to download full list

How much does it cost to hire a market research associate?

Recruiting market research associates involves both the one-time costs of hiring and the ongoing costs of adding a new employee to your team. Your spending during the hiring process will mostly be on things like promoting the job on job boards, reviewing and interviewing candidates, and onboarding the new hire. Ongoing costs will obviously involve the employee's salary, but also may include things like benefits.

The median annual salary for market research associates is $99,880 in the US. However, the cost of market research associate hiring can vary a lot depending on location. Additionally, hiring a market research associate for contract work or on a per-project basis typically costs between $31 and $72 an hour.

Find better market research associates in less time
Post a job on Zippia and hire the best from over 7 million monthly job seekers.

Hiring market research associates FAQs

Search for market research associate jobs

Ready to start hiring?

Browse business and financial jobs