Information Provided by the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook
Market and survey researchers need at least a bachelors degree, but a masters degree may be required for employment; continuing education also is important. Employment is expected to grow faster than average. Job opportunities should be best for those with a masters or Ph.D. degree in marketing or a related field and strong quantitative skills.
On average, Market Research Analysts earn $ 58,820 per year.
Job Opportunities for Market Research Analysts are expected to:
Increase faster than average.
Market and survey researchers gather information about what people think. Market, or marketing, research analysts help companies understand what types of products people want and at what price. They also help companies market their products to the people most likely to buy them. Gathering statistical data on competitors and examining prices, sales, and methods of marketing and distribution, they analyze data on past sales to predict future sales.
A bachelors degree is the minimum educational requirement for many market and survey research jobs. However, a masters degree may be required, especially for technical positions. In addition to completing courses in business, marketing, and consumer behavior, prospective market and survey researchers should take other liberal arts and social science courses, including economics, psychology, English, and sociology.
Market and survey researchers held about 261,000 jobs in 2006, most of which234,000were held by market research analysts. Because of the applicability of market research to many industries, market research analysts are employed throughout the economy. The industries that employ the largest number of market research analysts were management of companies and enterprises; management, scientific, and technical consulting services; insurance carriers; computer systems design and related services; and other professional, scientific, and technical serviceswhich includes marketing research and public opinion polling.
