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The differences between research specialists and market research analysts can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 4-6 years to become both a research specialist and a market research analyst. Additionally, a research specialist has an average salary of $52,662, which is higher than the $51,688 average annual salary of a market research analyst.
The top three skills for a research specialist include data collection, patients and research projects. The most important skills for a market research analyst are powerpoint, data analysis, and SPSS.
| Research Specialist | Market Research Analyst | |
| Yearly salary | $52,662 | $51,688 |
| Hourly rate | $25.32 | $24.85 |
| Growth rate | 19% | 19% |
| Number of jobs | 79,341 | 71,240 |
| Job satisfaction | 4 | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 61% | Bachelor's Degree, 72% |
| Average age | 37 | 37 |
| Years of experience | 6 | 6 |
In a laboratory setting, a research specialist's responsibilities primarily revolve around conducting thorough research and analysis, producing extensive detailed reports, reviewing results, and coordinating with senior researchers and other laboratory personnel to ensure the accuracy of results. Furthermore, a research specialist may contribute their expertise to other publications and articles, train or supervise new researchers, and implement all laboratory guidelines and safety regulations at all times.
A market research analyst is an individual who studies the market conditions so that he/she or she can examine the potential sales of an organization's product or service. Market research analysts are required to devise and evaluate methods for collecting data such as surveys, focus groups, and opinion polls. They must interpret the data they have collected and presented their findings to executives and clients to help them make better-informed decisions. Market research analysts are also required to create visuals of industry trends and competitors so the company can predict how it fares in the marketplace.
Research specialists and market research analysts have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Research Specialist | Market Research Analyst | |
| Average salary | $52,662 | $51,688 |
| Salary range | Between $35,000 And $77,000 | Between $36,000 And $73,000 |
| Highest paying City | Seattle, WA | Seattle, WA |
| Highest paying state | Washington | Delaware |
| Best paying company | Novartis | Imply |
| Best paying industry | Technology | Technology |
There are a few differences between a research specialist and a market research analyst in terms of educational background:
| Research Specialist | Market Research Analyst | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 61% | Bachelor's Degree, 72% |
| Most common major | Biology | Business |
| Most common college | University of Georgia | University of Georgia |
Here are the differences between research specialists' and market research analysts' demographics:
| Research Specialist | Market Research Analyst | |
| Average age | 37 | 37 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 38.0% Female, 62.0% | Male, 51.2% Female, 48.8% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 4.7% Unknown, 4.9% Hispanic or Latino, 11.2% Asian, 14.1% White, 65.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.1% | Black or African American, 4.7% Unknown, 4.9% Hispanic or Latino, 11.3% Asian, 14.3% White, 64.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.1% |
| LGBT Percentage | 10% | 10% |