Survey analyst vs pollster

The differences between survey analysts and pollsters can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 2-4 years to become both a survey analyst and a pollster. Additionally, a survey analyst has an average salary of $73,489, which is higher than the $41,438 average annual salary of a pollster.

The top three skills for a survey analyst include analyze data, survey design and survey instruments. The most important skills for a pollster are conduct surveys, telephone surveys, and phone interviews.

Survey analyst vs pollster overview

	Survey Analyst	Pollster
Yearly salary	$73,489	$41,438
Hourly rate	$35.33	$19.92
Growth rate	6%	6%
Number of jobs	12,604	796
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 63%	Bachelor's Degree, 74%
Average age	41	41
Years of experience	4	4

Survey analyst vs pollster salary

Survey analysts and pollsters have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Survey Analyst	Pollster
Average salary	$73,489	$41,438
Salary range	Between $51,000 And $104,000	Between $23,000 And $71,000
Highest paying City	Rockville, MD	-
Highest paying state	Maryland	-
Best paying company	The Citadel	-
Best paying industry	Government	-

Differences between survey analyst and pollster education

There are a few differences between a survey analyst and a pollster in terms of educational background:

	Survey Analyst	Pollster
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 63%	Bachelor's Degree, 74%
Most common major	Business	Political Science
Most common college	University of Pennsylvania	University of Pennsylvania

Survey analyst vs pollster demographics

Here are the differences between survey analysts' and pollsters' demographics:

	Survey Analyst	Pollster
Average age	41	41
Gender ratio	Male, 53.6% Female, 46.4%	Male, 47.8% Female, 52.2%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 6.7% Unknown, 6.4% Hispanic or Latino, 13.9% Asian, 7.8% White, 64.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.1%	Black or African American, 6.7% Unknown, 6.5% Hispanic or Latino, 14.7% Asian, 5.6% White, 65.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.1%
LGBT Percentage	11%	11%

Differences between survey analyst and pollster duties and responsibilities

Survey analyst example responsibilities.

Help develop and handle both on and offsite SEO solutions as well as managing local campaigns and international SEO efforts.
Collect and process statistical data on substance abuse using SAS.
Maintain project repository and create PowerPoint presentations.
Present information to staff using a Microsoft PowerPoint document.
Develop SAS programs to display geographic maps and interpret multivariate analyses.
Assist management with evaluation of restructuring alternatives, procurement of financing, negotiations with multiple constituencies and issuance of new securities.

Pollster example responsibilities.

Modify standard Nielsen script as required to achieve customer cooperation.
Experience in working with difficult-to-survey populations such as physicians, Medicaid populations, retirees, and people suffering from chronic disease conditions
Use influencing skills and techniques to overcome objections and maximize potential Nielsen family participation.

Survey analyst vs pollster skills

Common survey analyst skills

Analyze Data, 12%
Survey Design, 12%
Survey Instruments, 12%
Stata, 9%
SAS, 8%
Research Projects, 7%

Common pollster skills

Conduct Surveys, 44%
Telephone Surveys, 29%
Phone Interviews, 27%

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Survey Analyst
Survey Analyst vs Pollster

Updated January 8, 2025

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