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The differences between market researchers 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 researcher and a research leader. Additionally, a research leader has an average salary of $107,345, which is higher than the $52,309 average annual salary of a market researcher.
The top three skills for a market researcher include data analysis, primary research and data collection. The most important skills for a research leader are data collection, data analysis, and market research.
| Market Researcher | Research Leader | |
| Yearly salary | $52,309 | $107,345 |
| Hourly rate | $25.15 | $51.61 |
| Growth rate | 19% | 19% |
| Number of jobs | 23,734 | 77,051 |
| Job satisfaction | 5 | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 64% | Bachelor's Degree, 66% |
| Average age | 37 | 37 |
| Years of experience | 6 | 6 |
In businesses, a market researcher is primarily responsible for performing market research and analysis. Although the extent of their duties usually depends on their place of employment, it typically includes coordinating with other experts, gathering and analyzing data, identifying new business opportunities, studying market activities, creating questionnaires, and developing test structures. Through their research findings, they must produce detailed reports and presentations for managers and even executives. Furthermore, as a market researcher, it is essential to understand the company's needs, including its vision and mission.
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 researchers and research leaders have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Market Researcher | Research Leader | |
| Average salary | $52,309 | $107,345 |
| Salary range | Between $32,000 And $84,000 | Between $64,000 And $178,000 |
| Highest paying City | Linden, NJ | Jersey City, NJ |
| Highest paying state | Delaware | New Jersey |
| Best paying company | Meta | Meta |
| Best paying industry | Automotive | Pharmaceutical |
There are a few differences between a market researcher and a research leader in terms of educational background:
| Market Researcher | Research Leader | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 64% | Bachelor's Degree, 66% |
| Most common major | Business | Psychology |
| Most common college | University of Georgia | Northwestern University |
Here are the differences between market researchers' and research leaders' demographics:
| Market Researcher | Research Leader | |
| Average age | 37 | 37 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 48.4% Female, 51.6% | Male, 56.4% Female, 43.6% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 4.9% Unknown, 4.9% Hispanic or Latino, 11.7% Asian, 14.0% White, 64.3% 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% |