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Job outlook for research consultants in the United States
Research consultant job growth summary. After extensive research, interviews, and analysis, Zippia's data science team found that:
The projected research consultant job growth rate is 19% from 2018-2028.
About 150,300 new jobs for research consultants are projected over the next decade.
Research consultant salaries have increased 5% for research consultants in the last 5 years.
There are over 27,420 research consultants currently employed in the United States.
There are 61,865 active research consultant job openings in the US.
The average research consultant salary is $83,492.
Are research consultant jobs in demand?
Research consultant job and salary trends over time
Research consultant jobs over time
Research consultant job growth rate over time
| Year | # of jobs | % of population |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 27,420 | 0.01% |
| 2020 | 26,011 | 0.01% |
| 2019 | 25,572 | 0.01% |
| 2018 | 24,053 | 0.01% |
| 2017 | 22,479 | 0.01% |
Average research consultant salary over time
Research consultant salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | $83,492 | $40.14 | +3.2% |
| 2025 | $80,929 | $38.91 | +1.1% |
| 2024 | $80,079 | $38.50 | --0.2% |
| 2023 | $80,218 | $38.57 | +1.1% |
| 2022 | $79,368 | $38.16 | +0.7% |
Research consultant jobs by state
Most common states for research consultants
| Rank | State | Population | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | South Dakota | 869,666 | 262 | 30% |
| 2 | District of Columbia | 693,972 | 207 | 30% |
| 3 | Rhode Island | 1,059,639 | 175 | 17% |
| 4 | Vermont | 623,657 | 108 | 17% |
| 5 | Oregon | 4,142,776 | 648 | 16% |
| 6 | Oklahoma | 3,930,864 | 640 | 16% |
| 7 | New Hampshire | 1,342,795 | 203 | 15% |
| 8 | Minnesota | 5,576,606 | 759 | 14% |
| 9 | Alabama | 4,874,747 | 691 | 14% |
| 10 | Massachusetts | 6,859,819 | 870 | 13% |
| 11 | Mississippi | 2,984,100 | 375 | 13% |
| 12 | Pennsylvania | 12,805,537 | 1,526 | 12% |
| 13 | Delaware | 961,939 | 117 | 12% |
| 14 | California | 39,536,653 | 4,427 | 11% |
| 15 | New Jersey | 9,005,644 | 984 | 11% |
| 16 | Virginia | 8,470,020 | 941 | 11% |
| 17 | Colorado | 5,607,154 | 642 | 11% |
| 18 | Utah | 3,101,833 | 342 | 11% |
| 19 | Nebraska | 1,920,076 | 207 | 11% |
| 20 | Montana | 1,050,493 | 111 | 11% |
Most common cities for research consultants
| Rank | City | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl | Avg. salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Miami Lakes | 2 | 6% | $59,515 |
| 2 | Bethesda | 1 | 2% | $81,160 |
| 3 | Hoboken | 1 | 2% | $106,597 |
| 4 | Chandler | 3 | 1% | $70,122 |
| 5 | Concord | 1 | 1% | $97,586 |
| 6 | San Leandro | 1 | 1% | $97,385 |
| 7 | Santa Clara | 1 | 1% | $96,717 |
| 8 | Boston | 3 | 0% | $89,363 |
| 9 | Chicago | 2 | 0% | $84,391 |
| 10 | San Francisco | 2 | 0% | $97,642 |
| 11 | Atlanta | 1 | 0% | $84,386 |
| 12 | Irvine | 1 | 0% | $82,048 |
| 13 | Miami | 1 | 0% | $59,312 |
| 14 | Minneapolis | 1 | 0% | $86,233 |
| 15 | New York | 1 | 0% | $109,451 |
| 16 | Phoenix | 1 | 0% | $70,251 |
| 17 | Riverside | 1 | 0% | $82,262 |
Research Consultant job outlook: Expert opinions
Our panel of research consultant experts
College of New Jersey, The
North Dakota State University
University of Nebraska - Omaha
Middlebury College
Lafayette College
Furman University
University of Cincinnati
Pepperdine University
Webster University
Duke University
Swarthmore College
Florida Gulf Coast University
Stephen F. Austin State University
University of Minnesota
Stevens Institute of Technology
Chrissy Daeschner OTD, MS, OTR/L
Capstone CoordinatorWhat general advice would you give to a Research Consultant?
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 Research Consultant skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Chrissy Daeschner OTD, MS, OTR/L: Research skills will be extremely important as the use of evidence-based research in practice and value-based services are imperative. Leadership and entrepreneurship skills will also be important as we promote programming and services in community-based settings.
What will help Research Consultants increase their earning potential?
Chrissy Daeschner OTD, MS, OTR/L: I would suggest they keep an open mind and don't be fearful of the unknown, embrace it. I think there is a lot of stress of a getting a certain job or style of job, but taking different opportunities increases your connections and experiences.
What general advice would you give to a Research Consultant?
Dr. Piper Williams PhD: Students who major in AAS bring additional expertise and qualifications to any application - so a clear articulation of these could help to maximize salary potential. They will have: skills that will enable them to contribute to innovation in the workplace, a demonstrated capacity to think critically, communicate clearly, and solve complex problems, demonstrate ethical judgment and integrity; intercultural skills; and the capacity for continued new learning, critical thinking, complex problem-solving, written and oral communication, and applied knowledge in real-world settings.
What Research Consultant 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 Research Consultants 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 Research Consultant?
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 Research Consultant 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 Research Consultants 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 Research Consultant?
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 Research Consultant 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 Research Consultants 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 general advice would you give to a Research Consultant?
Jeffrey Knopf: Some of the most important skills are traditional skills. Good communication skills are still number one. The ability to write well and communicate clearly will always help you. Qualitative research skills also remain important. The ability to learn from history or understand other cultures will always be valuable. Beyond this, I am seeing increasing demand for a variety of hard practical skills, such as data analytics or imagery analysis. Finally, in a world where the problems of misinformation and disinformation keep getting worse, critical thinking skills and the ability to discern what is true and what is fake will only increase in importance.
What Research Consultant 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 Research Consultants increase their earning potential?
Jeffrey Knopf: It's a good idea to be open to different possibilities. If a graduate is willing to say yes to an opportunity, even if it is not ideally what they were looking for, this can open the door to better opportunities down the road. Relationships with other people are also very important. The better you can get along with and work with other people, the more those people will become part of your network and maybe able to help you later on.
What general advice would you give to a Research Consultant?
Brett Hendrickson PhD, MDiv (he/him): Remember that employers in many sectors want and need people with the skill set that Religious Studies teaches you. With a Religious Studies major, you have high levels of cultural competence and cultural empathy. Your critical thinking skills are matched by your ability to communicate your ideas in both oral and written formats. When it comes to problem-solving, you are highly skilled in studying and understanding the historical, political, and ethical contexts that guide people's decision making. You are an expert researcher, able to read and digest large amounts of text in a short amount of time.
What Research Consultant skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Brett Hendrickson PhD, MDiv (he/him): Religious Studies majors who wish to maximize their salary potential should be bold in articulating the digital research tools that they learned as part of their education. Religious Studies graduates know how to use and assess historical and cultural data from multiple online data sources. They should also emphasize their excellent interpersonal skills and that they are well-versed in interacting with diverse people on highly sensitive topics.
What will help Research Consultants 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 general advice would you give to a Research Consultant?
Lori Bruce MA, MBE, HEC-C: Multidisciplinary partnership is critical, since bioethicists can be “gatekeepers;” their policies may influence which members of the public receive certain health services, and which do not receive them. Knowledge, applied cautiously! It’s important to have a nuanced understanding of many bioethics principles and theories, and apply them with caution, so that the most relevant values are influencing your work.
What Research Consultant 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!
What will help Research Consultants increase their earning potential?
Lori Bruce MA, MBE, HEC-C: Multidisciplinary partnership is critical, since bioethicists can be “gatekeepers;” their policies may influence which members of the public receive certain health services, and which do not receive them.
Knowledge, applied cautiously! It’s important to have a nuanced understanding of many bioethics principles and theories, and apply them with caution, so that the most relevant values are influencing your work.
What will help Research Consultants increase their earning potential?
Autumn Mathias Ph.D., LCSW: I think it is important for graduates to look at projections on the Bureau of Labor Statistics
website and to conduct general research on the state of certain industries at the time of
graduation. For instance, the tech industry is currently very saturated; some people who started
positions as user experience researchers just a few years ago were laid off. Individuals who have
years of experience in these positions will then have an advantage in securing new positions.
That being said, I believe that quantitative research skills in particular are advantageous for many
positions. This includes attaining coding skills and learning coding languages such as Python, R,
and Java.
In addition to the tech industry, the higher education market for individuals with a Master's
degree or PhD in sociology for tenure-track, full-time assistant professor positions in sociology
proves to remain highly competitive, as there are far more graduates than full-time positions.
That being said, some Master's programs emphasize an applied focus that prepares students for a
variety of research and evaluation positions.
In relation to research skills focused on data collection and analysis, sociology majors develop
writing and presentation skills that are crucial to success in any field. Also, the major's emphasis
on a critical global perspective along with cultural humility, cultural competence, empathy, and
overall interpersonal skills are sought-after skills in many fields. For instance, the U.S. is
experiencing a serious shortage of mental health professionals. Although some mental health
positions require a bachelor's or Master's degree in social work, others are also open to
individuals with a bachelor's degree in sociology or psychology.
What general advice would you give to a Research Consultant?
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 Research Consultant 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 Research Consultants 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 general advice would you give to a Research Consultant?
Dr. Jennifer Caplan PhD: Technology advances so quickly these days that staying on top of advances will be really important. Luckily, any religion major has spent a ton of time thinking about the way society advances and develops, so you're well-positioned to be an early adopter of new software and tech platforms.
What Research Consultant 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 Research Consultants 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 general advice would you give to a Research Consultant?
Anna Penner: Other than getting a job teaching sociology, there really aren't jobs that will be advertised as looking for a sociologist. But sociology gives you tools to be able to work in nearly whatever industry you want to be in. Don't limit yourself to a "sociology" job and don't sell yourself short because you don't have a major the job may be aimed at. Because many people don't have a clear understanding of what sociology is, you will likely need to explain how your degree has positioned you to be uniquely qualified to do the job you're applying for. You have a lot of skills that employers want and need; look over job descriptions and find ways that you can meet and exceed the expectations for those jobs and make sure to call attention to them in job applications and interviews.
What Research Consultant skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Anna Penner: Market yourself strategically. Think about what you learned by getting a sociology degree--the ability to do original research and analyze data, the ability to understand how institutions shape society and individuals, the ability to think critically about problems you see in the world around you. Make sure to highlight the assets that you bring to the table as a possible outsider to the industry you are applying for. Also be aware that you may need to spend some time making less than you'd like, but know what you're worth, and after some time proving yourself at your organization make sure you're properly compensated for what you add to the team.
What will help Research Consultants 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.
Martha Taylor
Professor and Chair of ClassicsWhat general advice would you give to a Research Consultant?
Martha Taylor: As AI takes over, there will still be a need for people who can read and interpret texts---perhaps even a greater need. Burnish and be able to demonstrate your critical reading and critical analysis skills. Also, take every opportunity to develop your skills in digital Humanities. Classical languages graduates are problem solvers and very good at pattern identification. They have strong research skills. All of these will remain very important.
What Research Consultant skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Martha Taylor: Stay abreast of new trends. Read broadly and be widely curious. Keep up with advances in English literature (since so much of interpretation of Classical texts follows similar lines).
Giovanna Percontino
Communication Career Coach, M.Ed.What will help Research Consultants increase their earning potential?
Giovanna Percontino: Take a salary negotiation workshop at U Career Success. Research the current trends and salaries.
What general advice would you give to a Research Consultant?
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 Research Consultant skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Giovanna Percontino: The soft skills are really important now: Communication, Adaptability, Reliability, Leadership, Writing, Rigor
Sung Eun Park
Assistant Professor, Advertising and Marketing CommunicationsWebster University
Communications & Journalism
What skills will help Research Consultants earn the most?
Sung Eun Park: Although marketing is often viewed as a discipline with hard data, those successful in the field get most of their success by being creative and strategic thinkers. Even with the help of data available, your marketing plan may not generate great success. Often you need to have different and novel perspectives to make things more niche. Those who have a good understanding of data analysis with a creative and strategic approach to the problem will make the most of their career in marketing.
Michael Munger
Director of Undergraduate Studies, Director, PPE ProgramDuke University
Department of Political Science
What soft skills should all Research Consultants possess?
Michael Munger: Working in groups. And that's hard to teach. The best teacher is experience. Often, students learn the most when their group fails or the other members don't pull their weight. The ability to work in unstructured environments and still achieve group success is a big part of many jobs. And Political Science teaches that.
What will help Research Consultants increase their earning potential?
Michael Brown: I think having a suite of skills is the best strategy. Our graduates learn physics analysis and problem solving skills, but also computer modelling skills, experimental techniques, writing skills, and even how to make an effective presentation.
What technical skills for a Research Consultant stand out to employers?
Marianela Rivera Ph.D.: In the past, technology was not necessarily one of the main concerns for people interested in romance languages, literatures, and linguistics; however, even before the pandemic, a variety of platforms and resources were made available to facilitate teaching courses related to those fields. The pandemic has highlighted the need to adapt to evolving times, so now technical skills are definitely something employers look for in potential candidates in addition to teaching and research excellence. Knowledge of and experience in online course development, technical writing, social media management, learning management systems, and project management are definitely skills that would stand out to employers.
Hunter Hampton Ph.D.
Assistant ProfessorStephen F. Austin State University
Department of History
How have salaries changed over time for Research Consultants?
Hunter Hampton Ph.D.: This is difficult to answer because of the variety of fields that someone with a history degree can go into. They range from lawyers, museum curators, writers, business owners, teachers, and a few that get a Ph.D to teach at the college level. For my field as a professor specifically, the salaries are near flat over the past four years. I don't foresee them improving in the near future as state funding continues to decline for higher education. But I do believe that the salary for history majors will increase as employers continue to see the value of hiring humanities graduates.
What soft skills should all Research Consultants possess?
Lee Penn Ph.D.: I hear over and over again from recruiters - they want candidates with strong backgrounds in their majors PLUS two things.
1 - experience with data science, statistics, or some kind of computer science
2 - soft skills (communication, playing well with other, collaboration, etc...)
What soft skills should all Research Consultants possess?
Dr. Ionut Florescu: I believe in terms of soft skills, every graduate should be able to explain the results of their complex models to someone who isn't technically sound. So, presentation skills are extremely important. Then the capability of approaching a presenter at a conference or workshop and ask pertinent questions about what they just presented is really important. We require all our students to not only make presentations but also ask questions during other teams' presentations. I believe the most important thing as a teacher in the course is to criticize them when their presentation is not crisp or when the question isn't clear or appropriate.