Explore jobs
Find specific jobs
Explore careers
Explore professions
Best companies
Explore companies
Job outlook for market research interns in the United States
Market research internship job growth summary. After extensive research, interviews, and analysis, Zippia's data science team found that:
The projected market research internship job growth rate is 19% from 2018-2028.
About 150,300 new jobs for market research interns are projected over the next decade.
Market research internship salaries have increased 5% for market research interns in the last 5 years.
There are over 20,563 market research interns currently employed in the United States.
There are 99,512 active market research internship job openings in the US.
The average market research internship salary is $35,920.
Are market research internship jobs in demand?
Market research internship job and salary trends over time
Market research internship jobs over time
Market research internship job growth rate over time
| Year | # of jobs | % of population |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 20,563 | 0.01% |
| 2020 | 19,507 | 0.01% |
| 2019 | 19,177 | 0.01% |
| 2018 | 18,038 | 0.01% |
| 2017 | 16,858 | 0.01% |
Average market research internship salary over time
Market research internship salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | $35,920 | $17.27 | +3.2% |
| 2025 | $34,817 | $16.74 | +1.1% |
| 2024 | $34,451 | $16.56 | --0.2% |
| 2023 | $34,511 | $16.59 | +1.1% |
| 2022 | $34,146 | $16.42 | +0.7% |
Market research internship jobs by state
Most common states for market research interns
| Rank | State | Population | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Vermont | 623,657 | 341 | 55% |
| 2 | Wyoming | 579,315 | 255 | 44% |
| 3 | Delaware | 961,939 | 409 | 43% |
| 4 | District of Columbia | 693,972 | 292 | 42% |
| 5 | Rhode Island | 1,059,639 | 388 | 37% |
| 6 | South Dakota | 869,666 | 325 | 37% |
| 7 | North Dakota | 755,393 | 274 | 36% |
| 8 | New Hampshire | 1,342,795 | 471 | 35% |
| 9 | Montana | 1,050,493 | 342 | 33% |
| 10 | Maine | 1,335,907 | 434 | 32% |
| 11 | Idaho | 1,716,943 | 495 | 29% |
| 12 | Nebraska | 1,920,076 | 524 | 27% |
| 13 | Oregon | 4,142,776 | 1,035 | 25% |
| 14 | Minnesota | 5,576,606 | 1,321 | 24% |
| 15 | Alaska | 739,795 | 180 | 24% |
| 16 | Connecticut | 3,588,184 | 789 | 22% |
| 17 | Utah | 3,101,833 | 674 | 22% |
| 18 | Colorado | 5,607,154 | 1,175 | 21% |
| 19 | New Mexico | 2,088,070 | 434 | 21% |
| 20 | Iowa | 3,145,711 | 639 | 20% |
Most common cities for market research interns
| Rank | City | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl | Avg. salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Menomonee Falls | 1 | 3% | $32,052 |
| 2 | Ames | 1 | 2% | $36,549 |
| 3 | Downers Grove | 1 | 2% | $33,334 |
| 4 | Noblesville | 1 | 2% | $24,454 |
| 5 | Bloomington | 1 | 1% | $38,971 |
| 6 | Champaign | 1 | 1% | $31,916 |
| 7 | Lansing | 1 | 1% | $33,982 |
| 8 | Indianapolis | 4 | 0% | $24,290 |
| 9 | Boston | 1 | 0% | $45,821 |
| 10 | Omaha | 1 | 0% | $24,377 |
| 11 | Washington | 1 | 0% | $37,373 |
Market Research Internship job outlook: Expert opinions
Our panel of market research internship experts
University of Nebraska - Omaha
Lafayette College
Furman University
University of Cincinnati
Pepperdine University
Duke University
University of Indianapolis
Westminster College
The Ohio State University
Mount Mercy University
University of Iowa, College of Law
Stanton University
College of Saint Mary
Jacksonville State University
Oakland University
Montclair State University
Curry College
Northern Arizona University
Chrissy Daeschner OTD, MS, OTR/L
Capstone CoordinatorWhat will help Market Research Interns 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 Internship?
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 Internship 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 Interns 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 Market Research Internship 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 Market Research Internship 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 Interns 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 will help Market Research Interns 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.
Michael Munger
Director of Undergraduate Studies, Director, PPE ProgramDuke University
Department of Political Science
Are there any particularly good places in the United States for Market Research Interns to find work opportunities?
Michael Munger: The best "place" to work is one with a very fast and reliable internet connection. This means that many rural areas, on top of their previous economic difficulties, are now even further behind because of lack of broadband.
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Market Research Internship job market given the pandemic?
Dr. Larry Belcher: The biggest post-pandemic trend we see involves the re-definition of a workspace. Many firms went to remote work via video conferencing and other technology and decided that they really did not need expensive office space, particularly in large cities and so they have employees working fully or partially remote on a permanent basis. In addition, for "at work" office space many firms have moved away from "offices" or even cubbies to common "plug-in" stations where workers find a spot and have access to power and internet so they can work. Add in conference/meeting space and you can still have face to face meetings if necessary but a much smaller, less expensive office footprint. It remains to be seen how this will work out long-term in terms of worker productivity. There is a lot of anecdotal evidence of "Zoom fatigue" and a desire for more human interaction among some workers so this is a trend worth watching. Another trend has been the speed of change. COVID showed us in many ways that our environments can be altered substantially almost overnight. Supply chain management is a great example. From a worker perspective, not being intimidated by this type of possibility will be a key going forward.
What technical skills for a Market Research Internship stand out to employers?
Dr. Larry Belcher: In terms of technical skills, in technical disciplines intimate knowledge of Excel is a must. In addition, with more movement to remote work, proficiency with video meeting and presentation software has become more of a necessity I would say that an ability to learn new technology rather quickly will help students advance faster. Technology changes rapidly, and as we have seen with the COVID pivot to remote work, one may need to master new software or hardware quickly. Also, with the proliferation of data and data analysis familiarity with data visualization and analysis tools like Tableau is becoming more valuable. This goes along with the usual necessary skills, such as written/verbal communication, presentation skills, and adaptability/flexibility. COVID has also shown us all that change can occur quickly and our ability to roll with it and adapt our work to the environment is a key skill. The ability to deal with ambiguity is also becoming more needed, as the environment a worker faces may not have all of its parameters nailed down. The ability to navigate those circumstances will help any employee advance more quickly. This also bleeds over into the ability to solve problems quickly. When things move fast, you need to both be adaptable and be able to think through problems quickly. Another thing we have seen is that employers don't want to have to train new hires on things they expect they should have learned in college. So practice and proficiency in software, speaking, writing and presentations are keys so that a new hire can adapt quickly and get into the workflow faster without "hand-holding."
What's a day at work look like for a Market Research Internship?
Michael Mamo Ph.D.: The pandemic has brought about fundamental changes at the workplace, including remote work and the rising importance of technological proficiency. These in turn demand flexibility and much of the workplace will demand more versatility and flexibility.
What will help Market Research Interns increase their earning potential?
Michael Mamo Ph.D.: Not sure how this relates to the previous themes but I do not believe the quest to increase one's earning potential is a noble goal. As humans we value (or should value) the benefits of enlightenment that come from education and life-long learning. Of course, enlightenment could translate to monetary gains. Enlightenment also comes with a greater sense of fulfilment in life and provides the person with traits of empathy, integrity, and other virtues such as justice and perseverance. Beyond improving ones earningn potential, education is a life-affirming process and that is what I would advise people in my field to aspire for.
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Market Research Internship job market given the pandemic?
Adam Cahill: Thankfully what we are seeing in regard to trends in the job market are good ones. Interactions taking place between employers and candidates, jobs being posted, and employers actively recruiting students and alumni in the plant science industries has kept steady throughout the pandemic. The biggest difference is that these things are now taking place virtually instead of on campus.
We have also seen a change with more remote work being mentioned in job descriptions and deeper intentionality placed on how employers are managing their employees to make sure they feel safe and are kept safe. More clear and transparent communication is really taking a front seat throughout the hiring process; mostly because a lot of procedures and processes are new given the pandemic, so everyone is being re-educated on how things are done.
Based on the employer requests for new hires and job postings we are receiving at the university, we are not seeing much, if any, reduction in work force in the plant science industry. Homes and businesses are still being landscaped, food still needs to be grown, and plant diseases are still being researched and combated just to name a few of the many driving forces in the positive job outlook for plant science industries.
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Market Research Internship job market given the pandemic?
Joe Sheller: Pandemic is too new for me to gauge--it's been going on for a year but we have a small graduating class each year. I was worried about last year's class, but they seem to have found placements.
I sort of expect a kind of delayed impact. Lots of my journalism graduates go into marketing, PR, corporate writing or web writing--they are not strictly "service" jobs that were worst hit by pandemic, but do depend on companies that provide those services (not much work in restaurant marketing when all the restaurants are closed, for example). A chunk of the small pool of graduates I had were actually hired by the university where I teach because we had "churn" in our marketing-communication office, both a change of leadership and existing employees moving on off campus for other places--which is not an indication of a weak job market.
Remote job interviews via video conferencing are way more common.
What will help Market Research Interns increase their earning potential?
Melissa Norman: There are many factors to take into consideration when thinking about earning potential. Large firms (501+ attorneys) tend to be located in larger cities and have high starting salaries, but may also come with a high cost of living. Smaller rural firms may not have as high salaries, but the cost of living may be much lower. Students should take a careful look at the salary, cost of living, and their financial needs. To have the most employment options available, students should try to earn the best grades possible. Other co-curricular activities can also be helpful to bolster a resume such as journal involvement, moot court, and internships. Effective networking can also work magic!
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Market Research Interns?
Melissa Norman: For the most part, the legal market is bouncing back quickly from the pandemic. Certain practice areas have been especially resilient, such as business and corporate law, bankruptcy, cyber-security, technology, and health law.
What's a good job out of college for Market Research Interns?
Melissa Norman: Any job that the student gains experience and transferrable skills to help them continue pursuing their goals. The great thing about a law degree is that it is very versatile. Students can practice law in a law firm, work in compliance for a bank or in athletics, do policy work, be involved in government, and many other things! As long as a student is growing and learning, they are in a "good job."
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Market Research Interns?
Dr. Louna Al Hallak: Most students who got job offers before the Covid-19 pandemic have been forced to wait longer, while some have been withdrawn.
luminate.prospects.ac.uk on how the Coronavirus pandemic affected students revealed that 26.1 percent lost their work or internship opportunities, 29.2 percent lost their jobs. In comparison, 28.2 percent lost their job offers.
The results of that survey are enough reason why students should be upset about the Covid-19 situation. According to some students, who took part in the survey, the cancelled job offers would be their ROI. Additionally, 64.9 percent of final-year students feel negative and demotivated by Coronavirus pandemic's effects.
It will also help if the colleges' and university's career departments liaise with employers to develop better outreach strategies to communicate with students and remove any fears that employers are not hiring anymore.
Creating more job adverts and making them visible could help reduce the tension among graduates and students waiting to join the job industry. Ninety-two percent of students who took part in the survey state that it would be better if employers could make these job adverts public.
The effect of the Covid-19 pandemic isn't going to last longer if companies and recruiters develop better recruiting strategies that would cover fresh graduates. It's just a matter of time, and things will resume normalcy. Of course, some businesses will take longer to be back on track, but it's all about patience.
What will help Market Research Interns increase their earning potential?
Dr. Louna Al Hallak: -Hold on to Your Existing Customers
It helps to focus on your current customers rather than spending resources, attracting new prospects as a small business. This is significantly cost-effective because your existing customers are already used to your products and services and more willing to work with you.
Appreciation gestures such as giveaways and special coupons will drive your long-gone customers to their next purchase. This shows them how important they are to you and your business.
Building strong relationships with your current customers will go a long way to gain new prospects to enhance business growth. Because people are likely to associate with others of the same intent, it's important to offer your current customers a referral incentive.
-Change Your Pricing Strategy
Price plays a vital role in decision making. Therefore, an alteration to the prices of products and services should conform to your market condition and income goals.
A rapid price increase will attract more profits only when it doesn't negatively affect sales. Be sure to understand your competitor's products' price from a buyer's view and how your product stands out from similar products to help you set prices accordingly.
Instead of a drastic hike in prices, consider increasing your prices more often. While a small shift in price may not seem like a big deal, it will affect your business's profit margins.
-Look for New Opportunities
Initially, people believed that the change in jobs was the fastest way to boost income potential. While there is no assurance your earnings will increase, there are many estimates that confirm the possibility. According to one estimate, an employee receives a salary raise of up to 20 percent upon quitting a job.
Unsurprisingly, employees consider finding new jobs to do what they are passionate about and not a salary boost. Changing jobs will create advancement opportunities to help you learn and grow. New skills or promotion can mean increased revenue potential.
-Level Up with an MBA Degree
MBA's are a plus for career switch and thriving opportunities. Students with MBA programs have higher chances of winning an aristocratic management role in an established business. In fact, 50 percent of MBA graduates are board directors or senior managers.
With an MBA degree, you gain a new perspective on business management. You also get the chance to relocate to a foreign country while studying. This will improve your cultural perception and international business career. Lastly, you can find agencies to work for, and if things go well, you might get employed after graduating.
When looking for the best countries to study an MBA, search for the states offering exceptional MBA's and the best specifications based on your needs. It also helps to consider the initial investment like accommodation costs, tuition fees, and the chances of getting hired after graduation.
Bottom Line
The chances that this group will graduate into a global downturn is unpredictable. For that reason, they should acquire the necessary guidance and support to help them leverage the job markets during these challenging times. Graduate recruiters and career services can help monitor the effect of coronavirus pandemic.
Jing Chang Ph.D.
ProfessorCollege of Saint Mary
Department of Mathematics
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Market Research Internship job market given the pandemic?
Jing Chang Ph.D.: I think working remotely or working from home is the biggest trend in the job market in the next few years. Experts say that the whole world will probably face a post-pandemic transition in the following years. Wearing a mask, keeping social distance, and avoiding big gathering are probably going to be part of the new normal. As a result, employers would encourage their employees to work from home to decrease the risk of COVID-19 spread. For example, higher education will promote remote learning, especially general education courses which may have large class sizes. Upper-level major courses with smaller class sizes will be less affected. K-12 schools will probably have a hybrid mode. Minor health issues will be more likely to be done via Telehealth.
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Market Research Internship job market given the pandemic?
Dr. Breann Murphy Ph.D.: The biggest trend we will see in the job market for communication in 2021 is the emergence of converging media. Digital media and telecommunications has become more prominent as a result of the pandemic. Therefore, the job market will become more focused on looking for individuals who know how to embrace a virtual culture. With communications, especially with public relations, the field is now shifting to a more integrated marketing approach, meaning that brands need to hire and employ people who understand how to craft clear messages and also have the ability to listen and monitor online communication.
A communication professional needs to be able to help define a company's purpose, while at the same time meeting the needs of its customers. This quality is now more important than it has ever been. Also, having a social media presence is becoming more important. Social media has become a major source of news and information for publics, and it acts as a more personal outlet for communication between a company and its customers. This platform is a way companies can build trust with their publics.
What technical skills for a Market Research Internship stand out to employers?
Dr. Breann Murphy Ph.D.: For communication, the biggest technical skills that stand out to employers are good writing skills, strong people skills, and experience in digital media. Communication professionals must be good writers, since the field is in the practice of message construction and delivery. Also, communication professionals must be good writers across all platforms. Since the world has now embraced more digital media as a result of the pandemic, communication professionals must know how to write for a variety of platforms, such as websites, blogs, and social media, and they must know how to adapt their writing to different audiences.
Also, certifications in digital media analytics is becoming more important to employers. Since employers are embracing a digital presence, they need people who know how to monitor and interpret the data and having a digital media analytic certification helps a potential hire stand out from the crowd of applicants. Additionally, employers are now wanting to see more examples of work and writing samples that potential hires have done in the past.
How have salaries changed over time for Market Research Interns?
Dr. Breann Murphy Ph.D.: Communications has been an in-demand profession for the past few years, especially in regard to the need for people who know about public relations and integrated marketing. Salaries have really been based on experience and the need for this profession. Having a college degree for this profession has become more important. Recently, it is noticeable that the salaries for communication jobs has been steady. There has not been a dramatic decline or increase in salaries. We may see a change after the pandemic. However, communication is a job that can be done remotely if needed, and we may see salaries reflect this later on.
Mark Navin Ph.D.
Professor and ChairOakland University
Philosophy Department
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Market Research Internship job market given the pandemic?
Mark Navin Ph.D.: It's possible that 2021 graduates could face a very good job market, or at least one that is rapidly improving: Real GDP growth has recently been strong, and economists think there's a good chance for substantial growth in 2021 (perhaps over 7%). But we're likely to need continued stimulus (such as President Biden's covid relief package) and we also need to find a way to avoid mass evictions and foreclosures when people's rent and mortgage bills finally come due. If we can solve those problems, then I suspect that there will be substantial demand for new college graduates.
What's a day at work look like for a Market Research Internship?
Charles Feldman Ph.D.: Food is a people business. No way of getting around this. There has to be continuing interaction between people and product development. Food production is also a very labor-intensive business. So, lots of person-to-person, and person-to-commodity contact. Manufacturers will require strong safety measures to keep their employees and product safe. This means more jobs in safety and quality assurance.
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Market Research Interns?
Charles Feldman Ph.D.: There will be an absolute impact on food system graduates. The food system (US and global) has been proved fragile if not entirely broken by the pandemic. Graduates in the food genre will have an opportunity to straighten out industry logistics. But, effort will be needed (and job opportunities will be found) to redirect food consumption from processed, manufactured products (though convenient now) to locally sourced independent farmers. Attention will be needed to address environmental issues, particularly food sustainability. Already many large food manufacturers and others have listed sustainable practices as a highly valued criterion of their mission statements. So, graduates will be needed to redirect and make new connections for farmers, help solve sustainable production issues and dietitians will be needed to redirect diets changed by the Covid episode. Food safety is another area that needs attention. The hospitality industry, which is now suffering, will resurge with less competition, so strategically this segment should not be forgotten.
What will help Market Research Interns increase their earning potential?
Charles Feldman Ph.D.: Students in the food industry become highly valued when they could explain to employers how to step out of the traditional box and effect change. Leaner production, less baggage and more flexibility will help food producers adjust. A graduate student must be alert to present and future changes in the environment. Trends in the food industry move very quickly. Proactivity, environment scanning and keeping abreast of the most current research and trends are essential - and this increases employment market value!
Jayson Baker Ph.D.
Associate ProfessorCurry College
Communication Department And Black Studies Program
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Market Research Interns?
Jayson Baker Ph.D.: The nature of work will be changed for some to come. How to work in asynchronous groups distributed across different time zones, markets, communities, and stress test productivity. New graduates need to leverage how they learned through synchronous asynchronous course delivery systems (Zoom, etc.) to excel in small group work teams distributed across geographies.
What certifications/licenses/courses can have the biggest impact for Market Research Interns?
Jayson Baker Ph.D.: Courses that enable students to build a portfolio of creative and professional work. This is the evidence they will need for prospective employers. The key here is graduates need to recognize that undergraduate work is not perfect. Discuss their work as what they would improve on what they have done. Use the work not as a "finality" but as a evidence of how creative people critically think and continuously seek to improve.
What will help Market Research Interns increase their earning potential?
Jana Carpenter: The same skills that also impacted success in sales: critical thinking, problem solving, diligence, persistence and creativity coupled with excellent listening and verbal and written communication skills.