Explore jobs
Find specific jobs
Explore careers
Explore professions
Best companies
Explore companies
Job outlook for market researchers in the United States
Market researcher job growth summary. After extensive research, interviews, and analysis, Zippia's data science team found that:
The projected market researcher job growth rate is 19% from 2018-2028.
About 150,300 new jobs for market researchers are projected over the next decade.
Market researcher salaries have increased 5% for market researchers in the last 5 years.
There are over 11,491 market researchers currently employed in the United States.
There are 23,734 active market researcher job openings in the US.
The average market researcher salary is $52,309.
Are market researcher jobs in demand?
Market researcher job and salary trends over time
Market researcher jobs over time
Market researcher job growth rate over time
| Year | # of jobs | % of population |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 11,491 | 0.00% |
| 2020 | 10,901 | 0.00% |
| 2019 | 10,716 | 0.00% |
| 2018 | 10,080 | 0.00% |
| 2017 | 9,420 | 0.00% |
Average market researcher salary over time
Market researcher salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $52,309 | $25.15 | +3.2% |
| 2024 | $50,703 | $24.38 | +1.1% |
| 2023 | $50,171 | $24.12 | --0.2% |
| 2022 | $50,258 | $24.16 | +1.1% |
| 2021 | $49,726 | $23.91 | +0.7% |
Market researcher jobs by state
Most common states for market researchers
| Rank | State | Population | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | District of Columbia | 693,972 | 135 | 19% |
| 2 | Massachusetts | 6,859,819 | 414 | 6% |
| 3 | New York | 19,849,399 | 709 | 4% |
| 4 | Washington | 7,405,743 | 326 | 4% |
| 5 | Colorado | 5,607,154 | 202 | 4% |
| 6 | Oregon | 4,142,776 | 153 | 4% |
| 7 | Rhode Island | 1,059,639 | 38 | 4% |
| 8 | Delaware | 961,939 | 34 | 4% |
| 9 | Vermont | 623,657 | 24 | 4% |
| 10 | California | 39,536,653 | 1,265 | 3% |
| 11 | Illinois | 12,802,023 | 366 | 3% |
| 12 | Virginia | 8,470,020 | 236 | 3% |
| 13 | Maryland | 6,052,177 | 190 | 3% |
| 14 | Minnesota | 5,576,606 | 151 | 3% |
| 15 | Connecticut | 3,588,184 | 101 | 3% |
| 16 | Utah | 3,101,833 | 91 | 3% |
| 17 | New Hampshire | 1,342,795 | 39 | 3% |
| 18 | South Dakota | 869,666 | 23 | 3% |
| 19 | Alaska | 739,795 | 21 | 3% |
| 20 | North Dakota | 755,393 | 21 | 3% |
Most common cities for market researchers
| Rank | City | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl | Avg. salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Alexandria | 1 | 1% | $54,161 |
| 2 | Evanston | 1 | 1% | $59,224 |
| 3 | Boston | 1 | 0% | $61,643 |
| 4 | Detroit | 1 | 0% | $53,006 |
| 5 | New York | 1 | 0% | $61,836 |
Market Researcher job outlook: Expert opinions
Our panel of market researcher experts
College of New Jersey, The
North Dakota State University
University of Nebraska - Omaha
Middlebury College
Lafayette College
Ohio State University
Furman University
University of Cincinnati
Pepperdine University
Vanderbilt University
University of Wisconsin - Green Bay
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville
Eastern Washington University
Humboldt State University
University of Mary Washington
Virginia Commonwealth University
Luther College
Chrissy Daeschner OTD, MS, OTR/L
Capstone CoordinatorWhat general advice would you give to a Market Researcher?
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 Researcher 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 Researchers 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 general advice would you give to a Market Researcher?
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 Researcher 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 Researchers 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 Researcher?
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 Researcher 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 Researchers 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 Market Researcher 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 Researchers 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 Researcher 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!
Dr. Judson Jeffries
ProfessorOhio State University
Ethnic, Cultural Minority, Gender, And Group Studies
What will help Market Researchers increase their earning potential?
Dr. Judson Jeffries: Grant writing ability. Scholars will become increasingly reliant on securing grants as universities and colleges continue to tighten their belts. This is especially true for state schools where some state legislatures are not as generous with funding as they once were. The state supported The Ohio State University is one such example. There are many more.
What general advice would you give to a Market Researcher?
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 Researcher 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 Researchers 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 Market Researcher 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 Researchers 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 Researchers 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.
Giovanna Percontino
Communication Career Coach, M.Ed.What general advice would you give to a Market Researcher?
Giovanna Percontino: Research the industries that really speak to your values and philosophies. Look for the companies you want to work for not necessarily the role. Align your skills with the roles you are interested make sure you are a good fit. Ask questions to those who are in the industry or jobs you would love to be. These are just conversations with successful people.
What will help Market Researchers increase their earning potential?
Giovanna Percontino: Take a salary negotiation workshop at U Career Success. Research the current trends and salaries.
Phillis Sheppard Ph.D.
E. Rhodes and Leona B. Carpenter Chair Professor of Religion, Psychology, and Culture and Womanist ThoughtVanderbilt University
Theological And Ministerial Studies
What general advice would you give to a Market Researcher?
Phillis Sheppard Ph.D.: I tell recent graduates to read the contract and the faculty manual. Make sure you understand the long term implications of your early salary. Second, plan for retirement now; do not wait until you are making the salary of your fantasies. Take advantage of opportunities to learn about financial health and management. Third, position yourself. Write and publish directly and clearly in your field of study and adjacent areas. Fourth, create a plan with vision for the career you think you want. Finally, one way or the other, you will carve out a career or job, but a vocation is nurtured by paying attention to where you experience passion and a deep sense of belonging. A vocation is where your heart and intellect find a meaningful place in responding to the world's needs. Your salary best positions you when it supports your whole life and commitments.
Mario Jimenez Chacon
Assistant ProfessorUniversity of Wisconsin - Green Bay
Humanities Department
What hard/technical skills are most important for Market Researchers?
Mario Jimenez Chacon: Of course, a researcher needs to have the ability to perform high-level, intense research; therefore, a qualified researcher needs to have the hard skills associated with their field, for example, the appropriate certification/ degrees or the ability to use technology effectively. Moreover, nowadays, a researcher needs to dominate more than one language; being multilingual is a skill that makes the candidate really stand out.
What skills will help Market Researchers earn the most?
Mario Jimenez Chacon: The skills that will make you earn the most depend very much on their field of research. However, doing the best research possible all the time, having great interpersonal skills, and understanding that one must never stop learning will make you an outstanding candidate in any field.
Dr. Sharon Locke Ph.D.
Director, Center for STEM Research, Education, and Outreach, Professor, Department of Environmental Sciences, ISSP Sustainability Excellence AssociateSouthern Illinois University Edwardsville
Department of Environmental Sciences
What skills will help Market Researchers earn the most?
Dr. Sharon Locke Ph.D.: Quantitative skills such as statistics, computer programming, and GIS.
What's a good job out of college for Market Researchers?
Jillene Seiver Ph.D.: Anything that pays the bills is a good job! But for psychology majors, jobs that allow them to use their knowledge of human behavior and mental processes are ideal. Managerial positions, HR positions, and sales positions are often a good match. For those students who focused on the scientific/statistical side of psychology, jobs in market research, statistics, test administration, and evaluation are good.
What soft skills should all Market Researchers possess?
Dr. Anne Paulet Ph.D.: In terms of soft skills, those probably won't change much, they will simply be practiced differently. Being flexible is important since jobs may switch between home and office and since one may be dealing with someone else working from home and the challenges that can present-what cat owner hasn't had their cat walk in front of the camera or step on the wrong computer key? The ability to work in groups will continue to have importance as well as the ability to manage your own time and meet deadlines. At the same time, the nature of computer camera interaction means that people will have to learn to "read" others differently than they would in an in-person environment. Many recent articles have talked about how it is harder to read facial cues or detect emotional responses on the computer. Again, those presently taking synchronous classes have the opportunity to practice these skills--providing students turn on their cameras rather than relying only on audio. If the past year has demonstrated anything, it is that people need to be more culturally aware and sensitive and also be able to work with people of diverse backgrounds. History classes are a great way for students to better understand what others have gone through and how that might impact interaction today. Additionally, history classes-as well as college in general-should provide students with the skills to help create the kind of changes in institutions and companies that need to be made to make them more inclusive. Perhaps the greatest skill college students have is the ability to learn. I never intended to teach online, yet here I am doing just that. It required learning new ways to approach teaching, reconsideration of the ways students learned in the new environment, and figuring out new online programs to make all this happen. I was forced to do this as a result of the pandemic but most students will find that this sort of adjustment-whether foreseen or not-will be a regular part of their career path. The ability to learn these new skills, to apply new methods and to approach issues in new and innovative ways will help them stand out when it comes to looking for a job.
What's a day at work look like for a Market Researcher?
Dr. Anne Paulet Ph.D.: I am sorry but I don't think I have the ability to describe a day of work. Too much of that rests on the field the grad goes into. Many jobs will likely involve more online time but that does not apply evenly across fields. Some companies or institutions may reconsider the way they configure or use indoor and outdoor space, but that again is dependent on varying factors. The best advice is be flexible, innovative, friendly and willing to learn.
Dr. Jackie Gallagher
Associate Professor, ChairUniversity of Mary Washington
Department of Geography
What skills stand out on Market Researcher resumes?
Dr. Jackie Gallagher: Students need to be able to communicate well, in writing and by speaking - I think these are the most important skills for anyone. It can be hard to demonstrate on a resume, so a portfolio or web page is incredibly useful! Beyond that, the ability to find good, reliable, information, to be able to do research, to think critically, and to assess information critically. Again, these are hard to demonstrate on a resume, but individual research, internships, presentations at a conference, these are the ways that a student might really stand out.
GIS skills are incredibly valuable for geography majors, but are not absolutely essential. One or two classes in GIS are useful; our undergraduate certificate, especially if it includes Python programming language, is very valuable.
Hard skills like word processing, use of spreadsheets, production of slide shows and posters, and creation of web pages round out my list!
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Market Researcher job market given the pandemic?
Dr. Jackie Gallagher: The job market has slowed down in many or most areas, but contractors with funded contracts that need to be completed are still hiring. The University of Mary Washington is located in Fredericksburg VA, 50 miles south of D.C., even closer to a number of government agencies, and their contractors; these are the kinds of places that are still hiring. Jobs in Geographic Information Science (GIS) have remained somewhat strong throughout the pandemic, and I expect them to come back even stronger. I expect the health industries to use GIS more than they have up until now. The maps that are being produced to show the spread of COVID-19, the kinds of people who are most seriously impacted, the kinds of spreading events, locations of resources, and so on - they have all highlighted the importance of geography. I expect organizations to use GIS more in the future. People with geographic or spatial understanding will be needed to help understand, interpret, and create such maps.
The other main trend is environmental, related to climate change and impacts caused by it. We have already seen new flood mapping by FEMA. We will be looking at coastal changes, new risk maps for hurricane damage, and probably new species distributions over time. Geographers interested in environmental and climate impacts will work for government agencies, contractors, non-profits, and local and regional city/county planning organizations. These exist in the greater D.C. region, but also all over Virginia and the country.
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Market Researcher job market given the pandemic?
Dr. Robert Gowdy: In my opinion, universities that were hit hard by the pandemic will be scaling back their hiring of permanent research faculty for a while, although postdoctoral positions should continue to be available. Industrial research should increase in several areas. I would expect many opportunities in new medical applications of physics and biology, such as the use of nanotechnology in cancer diagnosis and vaccine development and production. Science graduates should also find job opportunities in energy, its storage, technology, and robotics. Many of our graduates are finding work in the growing field of "big data" analysis, too.
What skills stand out on Market Researcher resumes?
Dr. Robert Gowdy: Companies want to hire people who can be productive immediately. The most important skill for any type of research or development job is a track record of work in the exact area that a company is hiring for. That record could come from thesis research, postdoctoral work, or from an internship experience. Beyond that, it helps to be familiar with a wide variety of research techniques, computer programs, and systems to increase the chance that one of them is what a given company is looking for.
Dr. Charlotte Kunkel
Professor of SociologyLuther College
Department of Sociology
What skills stand out on Market Researcher resumes?
Dr. Charlotte Kunkel: The skills that will stand out on resumes are the ability to grapple with the complexities of a rapidly changing world, the ability to view the world from a critical perspective, and the ability to research social issues impacting society. It will also be an advantage to be able to critically analyze scholarship and synthesize sociological theory and ideas. Employers will be looking for skills to evaluate evidence and offer solutions. Sociology helps students to develop proficiency in the use of both quantitative and qualitative research methods, conduct scholarly research, gain proficiency in data analysis, and offer solutions at the root of social problems.