Hiring Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists

What do market research analysts and marketing specialists do?

• Prepare reports of findings, illustrating data graphically and translating complex findings into written text.
• Collect and analyze data on customer demographics, preferences, needs, and buying habits to identify potential markets and factors affecting product demand.
• Conduct research on consumer opinions and marketing strategies, collaborating with marketing professionals, statisticians, pollsters, and other professionals.
• Measure and assess customer and employee satisfaction.
• Devise and evaluate methods and procedures for collecting data, such as surveys, opinion polls, or questionnaires, or arrange to obtain existing data.
• Measure the effectiveness of marketing, advertising, and communications programs and strategies.

Core tasks, O*NET OnLine, 13-1161.00.

What does it take to become one?

Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.

A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, an accountant must complete four years of college and work for several years in accounting to be considered qualified.

Employees in these occupations usually need several years of work-related experience, on-the-job training, and/or vocational training.

O*NET Job Zone 4, SVP (7.0 to < 8.0). O*NET OnLine.

Employers commonly list experience with Google Analytics, Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Office software, Microsoft Outlook, Microsoft PowerPoint, Salesforce software for this role.

What do market research analysts and marketing specialists get paid?

BLS OEWS, May 2025 publishes a wage for market research analysts and marketing specialists in 92 of the metro areas we publish data for. The median ranges from $47,220 to $141,960 a year depending on the metro, with a midpoint of $71,350. This is what employers pay, place of work, not a single national figure and not what any one person takes home.

BLS OEWS, BLS OEWS, May 2025, SOC 13-1161.

What does hiring one cost?

The same as any role: tier, not location or salary, sets the fee. Across all six tiers the published range is $6,240 to $54,340 per search. For scale, the highest median any metro we publish data for pays market research analysts and marketing specialists is $141,960 a year, place of work (BLS OEWS, May 2025). A contingency firm hiring at that level would bill roughly $28,392 to $42,588 on the first year salary alone, 20 to 30%.

Frequently asked

How fast can a market research analyst search fill?

Typically 23 to 35 days, and typically 2 to 3x faster than a contingency search, per our recruiting partner's published figures. Both are typical rather than guaranteed.

What if the hire does not work out?

A 45-day replacement guarantee, at 50% off a repeat search for the same role.