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The differences between market research associates 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 associate and a research leader. Additionally, a research leader has an average salary of $107,345, which is higher than the $99,880 average annual salary of a market research associate.
The top three skills for a market research associate include powerpoint, financial models and macro. The most important skills for a research leader are data collection, data analysis, and market research.
| Market Research Associate | Research Leader | |
| Yearly salary | $99,880 | $107,345 |
| Hourly rate | $48.02 | $51.61 |
| Growth rate | 19% | 19% |
| Number of jobs | 55,558 | 77,051 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 65% | Bachelor's Degree, 66% |
| Average age | 37 | 37 |
| Years of experience | 6 | 6 |
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.
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 associates and research leaders have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Market Research Associate | Research Leader | |
| Average salary | $99,880 | $107,345 |
| Salary range | Between $65,000 And $151,000 | Between $64,000 And $178,000 |
| Highest paying City | Hoboken, NJ | Jersey City, NJ |
| Highest paying state | New Jersey | New Jersey |
| Best paying company | Shearman & Sterling | Meta |
| Best paying industry | - | Pharmaceutical |
There are a few differences between a market research associate and a research leader in terms of educational background:
| Market Research Associate | Research Leader | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 65% | Bachelor's Degree, 66% |
| Most common major | Business | Psychology |
| Most common college | University of Georgia | Northwestern University |
Here are the differences between market research associates' and research leaders' demographics:
| Market Research Associate | Research Leader | |
| Average age | 37 | 37 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 57.9% Female, 42.1% | Male, 56.4% Female, 43.6% |
| Race ratio | 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% | 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% |