How To Become A Research Consultant: What It Is and Career Path

What is a research consultant and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025

4 min read

Quoted experts

Heather Tanner Ph.D.,

Dr. Anne Paulet Ph.D.

Research consultants collect and analyze multiple types of data across a variety of formats and present research reports based on this information. Research and analytics companies, public institutions, and private businesses hire research consultants to work full-time shifts as part of a research team.

Research consultants plan research strategies, find and collect data, interpret and analyze information, write research reports on findings, verify the collected data, and present research to the clients or respective business executives. Essential skills required for the position include researching, analytical thinking, team management, mathematics, computer knowledge, and communication. Employers require research consultants to at least have a high school diploma or a GED. However, many require an industry-related bachelor's degree. Prior work experience in research analysis or data collection will be given preference.

The average hourly wage for a research consultant is $34.99, which amounts to $72,772 annually. Moreover, the career is projected to grow 20% and create over 139,000 new opportunities across the United States.

What general advice would you give to a research consultant?

Heather Tanner Ph.D.

Associate Professor, The Ohio State University

Most entry-level jobs have lots of boring elements, which is frustrating when you can't wait to jump in and tackle exciting challenges. However, it would help if you showed your immediate supervisor and the company/institution that you are a good team member, capable, and willing to take on tasks (challenging and boring). Routinely ask your supervisor for new jobs or projects to expand your skillset and knowledge of the company/institution. It would help if you also manage your expectations about how quickly you'll be promoted; it can be frustratingly slow. Finally, it's essential to recognize that you need to manage your reputation - this is a workplace where you need to be perceived as a responsible and competent professional. Therefore, only share information about your personal life and leisure time as if talking to your grandparents.

ScoreResearch ConsultantUS Average

Salary

6.5

Avg. Salary $83,492

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability level

4.9

Growth rate 19%

Growth rate 0.3%

Diversity

3.0

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.13%

Asian 14.03%

Black or African American 4.69%

Hispanic or Latino 11.14%

Unknown 4.88%

White 65.13%

Gender

female 51.84%

male 48.16%

Age - 34

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 34

Stress level

4.9

Stress level is manageable

7.1 - high

Complexity level

8.2

Complexity level is challenging

7 - challenging

Work life balance

4.6

Work life balance is fair

6.4 - fair

Key steps to become a research consultant

Explore research consultant education requirements

Most common research consultant degrees

Bachelor's

60.9 %

Master's

24.4 %

Doctorate

8.8 %

Start to develop specific research consultant skills

Skills	Percentages
Data Collection	12.46%
Medicaid	7.90%
Business Development	5.99%
Study Design	5.48%
Data Analysis	5.11%

Complete relevant research consultant training and internships

Accountants spend an average of 1-3 months on post-employment, on-the-job training. New research consultants learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as a research consultant based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real research consultant resumes.

Research research consultant duties and responsibilities

Lead research team in IRB transition from traditional hard copy submission to electronic submission.
Develop an SQL solution to automate performance attribution reports.
Attain and practice medical insurance information rapidly and correctly; including main carriers and Medicaid.
Design and oversee implementation of decision-analytic models and database analyses using SAS, SPSS, and STATA.

Prepare your research consultant resume

When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your research consultant resume.

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