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What does a marketing research specialist do?

Updated January 8, 2025
7 min read
Quoted expert
Dr. Gail Hudson Ph.D.
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Marketing research specialist responsibilities

Here are examples of responsibilities from real marketing research specialist resumes:

  • Accomplish in presentation, negotiation, and closing with demonstrate talent for establishing positive rapport and instilling client confidence and loyalty.
  • Analyze customer-specific results to demonstrate ROI and justify program continuation and growth.
  • Collaborate with marketing team on customer-facing PowerPoint presentation detailing portal's key features.
  • Initiate KPI monitoring including baseline performance, road map for improvement and milestones for achievement.

Marketing research specialist skills and personality traits

We calculated that 19% of Marketing Research Specialists are proficient in Research Projects, Access Database, and Primary Market Research. They’re also known for soft skills such as Analytical skills, Communication skills, and Detail oriented.

We break down the percentage of Marketing Research Specialists that have these skills listed on their resume here:

  • Research Projects, 19%

    Lead marketing research projects for a portfolio of futuristic electronic and Bluetooth technology products for various vehicle manufacturers.

  • Access Database, 12%

    Replaced original Excel reporting system with Access database and utilized SQL to improve work efficiency.

  • Primary Market Research, 10%

    Conduct primary market research for business development initiatives and new product launches.

  • Competitive Intelligence, 9%

    Performed competitive intelligence and general market research.

  • Data Analysis, 5%

    Award winning high-tech start-up specializing in remote PC management and big data analysis.

  • Press Releases, 5%

    Content included market-based and in-house research, editorial content, sales opportunities, and press releases.

Common skills that a marketing research specialist uses to do their job include "research projects," "access database," and "primary market research." You can find details on the most important marketing research specialist responsibilities below.

Analytical skills. The most essential soft skill for a marketing research specialist to carry out their responsibilities is analytical skills. This skill is important for the role because "market research analysts must evaluate large amounts of data and information related to market conditions." Additionally, a marketing research specialist resume shows how their duties depend on analytical skills: "conducted market analysis, compiled a monthly report of key economic indicators for the publisher and vice presidents. "

Communication skills. Many marketing research specialist duties rely on communication skills. "market research analysts must be able to clearly convey information when gathering material, interpreting data, and presenting results to clients.," so a marketing research specialist will need this skill often in their role. This resume example is just one of many ways marketing research specialist responsibilities rely on communication skills: "developed industry specific communications and press releases to gain exposure and support for the organization and its partners. "

Detail oriented. This is an important skill for marketing research specialists to perform their duties. For an example of how marketing research specialist responsibilities depend on this skill, consider that "market research analysts must pay attention to minutiae to evaluate data." This excerpt from a resume also shows how vital it is to everyday roles and responsibilities of a marketing research specialist: "assisted business development team on partner/supplier relationships; detailed analysis on potential partners/suppliers within the it/telecom industry. ".

See the full list of marketing research specialist skills

Compare different marketing research specialists

Marketing research specialist vs. Sales and marketing internship

In a sales and marketing internship, one of the primary duties is to assist in marketing-related tasks under a manager's supervision. The responsibilities will vary depending on the orders or directives given. However, they will mostly revolve around conducting research and analysis, preparing reports and presentations, participating in meetings, sharing insights, identifying opportunities, and developing resource materials such as surveys and polls. There are also instances where an intern must manage social media accounts to improve brand awareness and improve client relationships.

We looked at the average marketing research specialist salary and compared it with the wages of a sales and marketing internship. Generally speaking, sales and marketing interns are paid $11,659 lower than marketing research specialists per year.Even though marketing research specialists and sales and marketing interns are distinct careers, a few of the skills required for both jobs are similar. For example, both careers require data analysis, press releases, and market analysis in the day-to-day roles and responsibilities.

These skill sets are where the common ground ends though. The responsibilities of a marketing research specialist are more likely to require skills like "research projects," "access database," "primary market research," and "competitive intelligence." On the other hand, a job as a sales and marketing internship requires skills like "digital marketing," "social media marketing," "phone calls," and "instagram." As you can see, what employees do in each career varies considerably.

On average, sales and marketing interns reach lower levels of education than marketing research specialists. Sales and marketing interns are 5.8% less likely to earn a Master's Degree and 0.3% more likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.

Marketing research specialist vs. Specialist

Specialists are employees who are responsible for specific tasks or activities in the department they are assigned to. The actions or tasks they work on are related to their educational background or work experiences. They are usually highly skilled in specializations related to the work they are assigned to. Specialists are also highly trained on the competencies that are required of their specialty. As such, they are focused on the skills and competencies that are needed to enhance their experience in their specific field further.

A career as a specialist brings a higher average salary when compared to the average annual salary of a marketing research specialist. In fact, specialists salary is $4,085 higher than the salary of marketing research specialists per year.While the salary may differ for these jobs, they share a few skills needed to perform their duties. Based on resume data, both marketing research specialists and specialists have skills such as "outbound calls," "powerpoint," and "pos. "

In addition to the difference in salary, there are some other key differences worth noting. For example, marketing research specialist responsibilities are more likely to require skills like "research projects," "access database," "primary market research," and "competitive intelligence." Meanwhile, a specialist has duties that require skills in areas such as "patients," "customer service," "work ethic," and "patient care." These differences highlight just how different the day-to-day in each role looks.

Specialists earn similar levels of education than marketing research specialists in general. They're 3.1% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.3% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

What technology do you think will become more important and prevalent for marketing research specialists in the next 3-5 years?

Dr. Gail Hudson Ph.D.Dr. Gail Hudson Ph.D. LinkedIn profile

Director, College of Business Internship Program, Arkansas State University

As I mentioned above, technology and social media will continue to be necessary. As marketers, students will need to be able to use the technology and have the analytics to support their decisions. This may require working outside the structure of software as well. Google Analytics, Social Media Management, Excel, and Coding are all essential skills.

Marketing research specialist vs. Marketing consultant

A marketing consultant is responsible for utilizing their extensive retail expertise to develop strategies on how to strengthen client base and achieve better sales. Furthermore, a marketing consultant must perform research and analysis to determine opportunities for financial gains, devise plans to improve client satisfaction, assess the competition, look out for any risks, and develop its brand and image. They should also ensure that all steps taken adhere to the policies and regulations of the organization.

An average marketing consultant eans a higher salary compared to the average salary of marketing research specialists. The difference in salaries amounts to marketing consultants earning a $16,665 higher average salary than marketing research specialists.marketing research specialists and marketing consultants both have job responsibilities that require similar skill sets. These similarities include skills such as "press releases," "market analysis," and "roi," but they differ when it comes to other required skills.

Some important key differences between the two careers include a few of the skills necessary to fulfill the responsibilities of each. Some examples from marketing research specialist resumes include skills like "research projects," "access database," "primary market research," and "competitive intelligence," whereas a marketing consultant is more likely to list skills in "customer service," "web content," "media sales," and "digital marketing. "

Marketing consultants earn the best pay in the technology industry, where they command an average salary of $93,209. Marketing research specialists earn the highest pay from the finance industry, with an average salary of $68,942.When it comes to education, marketing consultants tend to earn similar degree levels compared to marketing research specialists. In fact, they're 2.5% more likely to earn a Master's Degree, and 0.6% more likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.

Marketing research specialist vs. Marketing executive

A marketing executive is responsible for developing effective marketing strategies and promotional campaigns to drive revenues and increase the business' profitability. Marketing executives work closely with the rest of the marketing team to analyze current market trends and design new products and services to meet the public's needs and demands. They also monitor expenses and find efficient ways to reduce costs without compromising the quality of the products. A marketing executive must have excellent communication and leadership skills, especially on guiding the sales team and maximize their productivity and sales potentials by organizing sales training and programs.

Marketing executives tend to earn a higher pay than marketing research specialists by an average of $19,571 per year.According to resumes from marketing research specialists and marketing executives, some of the skills necessary to complete the responsibilities of each role are similar. These skills include "press releases," "market analysis," and "roi. "

Even though a few skill sets overlap between marketing research specialists and marketing executives, there are some differences that are important to note. For one, a marketing research specialist might have more use for skills like "research projects," "access database," "primary market research," and "competitive intelligence." Meanwhile, some responsibilities of marketing executives require skills like "digital marketing," "marketing campaigns," "sales strategies," and "email campaigns. "

Marketing executives enjoy the best pay in the retail industry, with an average salary of $80,121. For comparison, marketing research specialists earn the highest salary in the finance industry.marketing executives reach similar levels of education compared to marketing research specialists, in general. The difference is that they're 3.4% more likely to earn a Master's Degree, and 0.4% more likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.

Types of marketing research specialist

Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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