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Job outlook for pricing specialists in the United States
Pricing specialist job growth summary. After extensive research, interviews, and analysis, Zippia's data science team found that:
The projected pricing specialist job growth rate is 19% from 2018-2028.
About 150,300 new jobs for pricing specialists are projected over the next decade.
Pricing specialist salaries have increased 9% for pricing specialists in the last 5 years.
There are over 8,197 pricing specialists currently employed in the United States.
There are 58,317 active pricing specialist job openings in the US.
The average pricing specialist salary is $73,472.
Are pricing specialist jobs in demand?
Pricing specialist job and salary trends over time
Pricing specialist jobs over time
Pricing specialist job growth rate over time
| Year | # of jobs | % of population |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 8,197 | 0.00% |
| 2020 | 2,889 | 0.00% |
| 2019 | 2,840 | 0.00% |
| 2018 | 8,437 | 0.00% |
| 2017 | 7,967 | 0.00% |
Average pricing specialist salary over time
Pricing specialist salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | $73,472 | $35.32 | +4.0% |
| 2025 | $70,675 | $33.98 | +2.4% |
| 2024 | $69,019 | $33.18 | +0.7% |
| 2023 | $68,510 | $32.94 | +1.4% |
| 2022 | $67,561 | $32.48 | +1.3% |
Pricing specialist jobs by state
Most common states for pricing specialists
| Rank | State | Population | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | District of Columbia | 693,972 | 278 | 40% |
| 2 | North Dakota | 755,393 | 125 | 17% |
| 3 | Alaska | 739,795 | 96 | 13% |
| 4 | Delaware | 961,939 | 115 | 12% |
| 5 | Vermont | 623,657 | 76 | 12% |
| 6 | Wyoming | 579,315 | 70 | 12% |
| 7 | Virginia | 8,470,020 | 918 | 11% |
| 8 | Iowa | 3,145,711 | 334 | 11% |
| 9 | Nebraska | 1,920,076 | 211 | 11% |
| 10 | New Hampshire | 1,342,795 | 149 | 11% |
| 11 | Massachusetts | 6,859,819 | 710 | 10% |
| 12 | Maryland | 6,052,177 | 620 | 10% |
| 13 | Rhode Island | 1,059,639 | 111 | 10% |
| 14 | South Dakota | 869,666 | 90 | 10% |
| 15 | North Carolina | 10,273,419 | 874 | 9% |
| 16 | Utah | 3,101,833 | 279 | 9% |
| 17 | Hawaii | 1,427,538 | 127 | 9% |
| 18 | Montana | 1,050,493 | 96 | 9% |
| 19 | Oregon | 4,142,776 | 328 | 8% |
| 20 | Maine | 1,335,907 | 104 | 8% |
Most common cities for pricing specialists
| Rank | City | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl | Avg. salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | San Luis Obispo | 4 | 8% | $81,744 |
| 2 | Woburn | 2 | 5% | $80,471 |
| 3 | Batavia | 1 | 4% | $60,058 |
| 4 | Dalton | 1 | 3% | $72,070 |
| 5 | Carol Stream | 1 | 2% | $60,145 |
| 6 | Lancaster | 1 | 2% | $67,106 |
| 7 | Atlanta | 3 | 1% | $71,723 |
| 8 | Oxnard | 2 | 1% | $79,210 |
| 9 | Burbank | 1 | 1% | $78,710 |
| 10 | Gaithersburg | 1 | 1% | $89,046 |
| 11 | Manchester | 1 | 1% | $69,873 |
| 12 | Boston | 3 | 0% | $80,581 |
| 13 | Chicago | 3 | 0% | $60,279 |
| 14 | Arlington | 1 | 0% | $79,128 |
| 15 | Long Beach | 1 | 0% | $78,145 |
Pricing Specialist job outlook: Expert opinions
Our panel of pricing specialist experts
UMass Lowell
Merrimack College
University of Southern Maine
Western Kentucky University
John Jay College of Criminal Justice of the City University of New York
University of California, Santa Cruz
University of Minnesota - Twin Cities
Drexel University
Molloy College
Wake Forest University
University of Richmond
University of Nevada, Reno
University of Central Arkansas
Alverno College
Duquesne University
New Mexico State University
Concordia University Irvine
Concordia University Irvine
Whatcom Community College
Michael Ciuchta Ph.D.
Associate Professor, Program Coordinator, Masters of Science in EntrepreneurshipUMass Lowell
Department of Marketing, Entrepreneurship & Innovation
What Pricing Specialist skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Michael Ciuchta Ph.D.: Obviously we are seeing a tremendous increase in AI and other digital technologies. These will become a more crucial skill set for many careers going forward. But I wouldn't downplay the role of what are traditionally seen as soft skills like empathy, communications, and judgment. Not only can these distinguish you from robots but from your human competitors as well.
What will help Pricing Specialists increase their earning potential?
Michael Ciuchta Ph.D.: If all you want is the highest potential starting salary, then you should aim for careers that offer them. But that is a shortsighted way to view things. For example, many careers that have tournament-like pay structures (think entertainment) often have very low starting salaries but the so-called winners enjoy outsized financial gains. If you are thinking about a more traditional career, I think it's important to make sure you are more valuable to your employer than they are to you. This means you have to market yourself, both to your current employer as well as to potential ones. Of course, this approach may not be for everyone and maximizing your salary potential is only one thing you should be considering when assessing job and career opportunities.
What general advice would you give to a Pricing Specialist?
Melissa Zimdars: To remember that you're going to learn a lot on the job and that failure is part of the learning process. It's okay to ask questions and to not know things, but you must be willing to take feedback, adjust, and grow.
Tove Rasmussen
LecturerUniversity of Southern Maine
Specialized Sales, Merchandising And Marketing Operations
What general advice would you give to a Pricing Specialist?
Tove Rasmussen: Tove Rasmussen advises graduates beginning their career in the field to...
What Pricing Specialist skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Tove Rasmussen: Tove Rasmussen believes that the skills that will become more important and prevalent in the field in the next 3-5 years are...
What Pricing Specialist skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Timothy Rich PhD: Think about the types of jobs that interest you and the skills necessary for those jobs early. So many students start thinking about post-graduation life spring their senior year, when it should be an incremental process much earlier. Another pieces of advice would be to talk to faculty and alum about your interests, find internship or research opportunities when possible, and try to figure out early your strengths and weaknesses. It's easy for students, especially high performing ones, to not fully consider what their weaknesses are. I encourage students to jot down what they see as their skills too and to share them with others. It helps them to identify what's a common skill versus something that might make them stick out.
Professor Shonna Trinch Ph.D.
ProfessorJohn Jay College of Criminal Justice of the City University of New York
Ethnic, Cultural Minority, Gender, And Group Studies
What general advice would you give to a Pricing Specialist?
Professor Shonna Trinch Ph.D.: Being able to negotiate a salary is also a skill that students need to learn and one that is rarely taught in college. Students need to be able to ask for more than they are offered, but also take jobs at entry levels, prove themselves and then ask for an increase in pay six months into the job after they have shown that they are doing the work and achieving their goals.
What Pricing Specialist skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Stephanie Lain Ph.D.: I would advise graduates to be open to considering jobs in lots of different fields. The skills acquired through their major- such as problem-solving, critical thinking, and writing- are ones that transfer well to a variety of situations.
What general advice would you give to a Pricing Specialist?
Dr. Paige Novak P.E. (Minnesota), BCEE: Ask questions, stay curious and open minded, take opportunities to learn and develop new skills.
What Pricing Specialist skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Mark Stehr PhD: At the start of your career, it's very important to land a role where you learn a lot and find good mentors. The additional skills will pay dividends as your career progresses.
What will help Pricing Specialists increase their earning potential?
Michael Rosino PhD: One thing that I always emphasize to students is to confidently craft your story when applying for jobs and preparing materials. While it may feel uncomfortable to come off as confident, it is important not to downplay your skills and experience. So, my advice is to think deeply about why you would be a good fit for each job and to highlight the concrete skills and experiences you have gained - especially in terms of topical background, technical acumen with specific software or methodologies or research/writing skills. Secondly, I suggest looking at which fields are in high demand. While it is not always possible because people may have geographic constraints, considering as many wide opportunities in all kinds of places can also be beneficial. Two other pieces of advice which may be more relevant to those a bit further on would be to negotiate when you are offered a mid-level or professional job and to ask for benefits and salary and to consider going back to gain additional education such as a Master's degree to qualify for higher-paying and more prestigious jobs.
What will help Pricing Specialists increase their earning potential?
Mary Rodena-Krasan Ph.D.: A degree in German Studies is extraordinarily flexible, giving you a skill set that makes you suitable to a variety of fields. Be open to every opportunity and never underestimate the skill sets learning a new language has afforded you - cross-cultural competence, interlinguistic technological adeptness, problem solving, information analysis, and critical thinking. Employers want someone they don't have to hand-hold. Studying a foreign language requires a lot of self-initiative - apply that to every assignment at the job and don't be afraid to suggest approaches! Your ability to undertake something new and be successful has already been proven by your German studies degree!
What Pricing Specialist skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Dr. Mark Evans: Don't stop learning. Treat your first job like more graduate school. Learn everything you can.
What skills will help Pricing Specialists earn the most?
Keith Webb: While it depends on the industry, I believe students who develop and enhance their skill set in data analytics will ultimately reap significant incomes and longevity.
Jim McClenahan
Director of Career and Corporate OutreachUniversity of Nevada, Reno
College of Business
What soft skills should all Pricing Specialists possess?
Jim McClenahan: As I said, soft skills are desired more than ever. Angela Duckworth describes Grit as "Perseverance, effort, and skill." We can teach the skill; the other two have to come with the new hire. Empathy is important as someone grows in their career-you can't be an effective leader and not have empathy in your skillset.
Anthony McMullen
Associate Professor of Business Law and Director of Forensics, vUniversity of Central Arkansas
Accounting Department
What skills will help Pricing Specialists earn the most?
Anthony McMullen: Acquiring a specialty is great, but specialization should not come at the expense of a broad and diverse knowledge base. Within specialized fields, many people will have the training/education to do the job, but what makes a particular person special? What will give that person the chance to branch out or to think about other avenues to accomplish the task? That will help workers maximize opportunities.
Stephani Richards-Wilson Ph.D.
Associate Professor of Business and Management, MBA Faculty Director, Associate - School Sisters of St. FrancisAlverno College
Business and Management Department
What skills will help Pricing Specialists earn the most?
Stephani Richards-Wilson Ph.D.: My experience has been that it depends on the position, organization, and industry, among other variables. Digital and information literacy are key to researching, analyzing, and evaluating credible information, in this case, skills that are in demand and could lead to well-paying jobs. I would emphasize, however, that there are intrinsic benefits that sometimes eclipse salary as the primary consideration. It depends on the individual and how they want to improve their quality of life, earn incentives, or be compensated. For many, contributing to an organization that promotes humane and positive interactions, allows for flexible work arrangements, and aligns with one's personal values is paramount. I encourage business specialists to stay vigilant and knowledgeable about developing industry or marketplace trends. Embrace continuous learning, upskilling, and workplace training to remain relevant in the post-pandemic world.
How do you envision technology impacting Pricing Specialists in the next 5 years?
Richard Longo: Artificial Intelligence (AI) will, by far, have the most significant impact. As this grows and develops, businesses will need to have the requisite skills and mindset to pivot away from traditional working ways. Skills will be needed to train and educate the work to be better equipped to move from human-focused work culture to a more robotic one.
Argie Hernandez
Division AdvisorNew Mexico State University
Business & Public Services
What type of skills will young Pricing Specialists need?
Argie Hernandez: -Problem Solving
-Computer skills
-Writing and Communication
-Critical Thinking
-Team Player (very important)
How do you envision technology impacting Pricing Specialists in the next 5 years?
Dr. Drew Wolf: The impact of technology is one of the reasons leadership is significant to a resume. As more business is conducted away from the office and via virtual meetings, companies look for candidates independent of constant supervision; an applicant who shows initiative and the ability to prioritize and get things done is a valuable employee in today's technology-fueled business world.
Kim Chatani
Assistant ProfessorConcordia University Irvine
School of Business & Economics
How would you rate the starting salaries for Pricing Specialists, as well as the prospects for salary advancement?
Kim Chatani: Starting salaries will continue to increase but will be more dictated by supply and demand for the skill sets that graduates will provide. The current COVID 19 pandemic has put traditional thinking on its head. Employers will be evaluating employee skills in a multi-dimensional plane, competency, mobility, and transferability.
What type of skills will young Pricing Specialists need?
Jim Drinkwine: Employers consistently say they want graduates with strong people skills. While technical skills are good, being able to work effectively in group settings is more important. I hear from students all the time about how much they dislike group projects for several reasons. However, the topic of the group project isn't as crucial as the teamwork skills you develop as a part of this type of learning. Take every opportunity you can to develop strong skills in interpersonal communication, collaboration, and problem-solving.