How much does a market research analyst and marketing specialist make?
The median market research analyst and marketing specialist in the United States earns $78,760 per year, about $37.87 an hour. That is the midpoint of the profession: half of all market research analysts and marketing specialists earn more, and half earn less.
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025. SOC code 13-1161.
Market research analyst and marketing specialist salary range
Pay for market research analysts and marketing specialists spans a wide band. The lowest paid 10 percent earn under $43,390 a year, while the highest paid 10 percent take home more than $155,480. The average (mean) wage of $89,490 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $43,390 | $20.86 | Lowest paid |
| 25th percentile | $58,350 | $28.05 | |
| Median (50th) | $78,760 | $37.87 | Midpoint |
| 75th percentile | $108,310 | $52.07 | |
| 90th percentile | $155,480 | $74.75 | Highest paid |
Figures are national wage estimates for market research analysts and marketing specialists (SOC 13-1161), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2025.
Market research analyst and marketing specialist salary by state
Where you work changes the paycheck. Market research analysts and marketing specialists earn the most in Massachusetts at $101,810 a year, and the least in West Virginia at $52,340. The table below lists every state with published data, ranked by median annual salary.
| State | Median annual | Employed |
|---|---|---|
| Massachusetts | $101,810 | 39,710 |
| Delaware | $101,270 | 3,570 |
| New York | $98,580 | 80,500 |
| District of Columbia | $98,090 | 6,340 |
| Washington | $95,120 | 24,460 |
| California | $94,700 | 119,070 |
| Colorado | $93,050 | 27,880 |
| New Jersey | $88,190 | 22,990 |
| Minnesota | $87,510 | 21,280 |
| Rhode Island | $86,240 | 3,210 |
| Oregon | $79,150 | 11,310 |
| Illinois | $79,120 | 40,560 |
| North Carolina | $78,410 | 30,700 |
| Connecticut | $77,740 | 9,930 |
| Virginia | $76,980 | 25,610 |
| Maryland | $76,370 | 13,570 |
| Georgia | $75,850 | 27,810 |
| Florida | $75,450 | 60,770 |
| Vermont | $74,880 | 860 |
| Ohio | $72,790 | 27,370 |
| Texas | $72,520 | 63,350 |
| Maine | $71,980 | 2,390 |
| Arizona | $71,940 | 15,850 |
| Nevada | $71,840 | 5,780 |
| Kansas | $70,430 | 8,090 |
| Missouri | $70,140 | 14,890 |
| Tennessee | $69,790 | 13,040 |
| South Carolina | $69,440 | 11,920 |
| Pennsylvania | $68,760 | 31,040 |
| Montana | $68,080 | 1,460 |
| Michigan | $66,780 | 24,220 |
| Alaska | $66,710 | 570 |
| Iowa | $66,390 | 8,880 |
| Arkansas | $65,430 | 6,250 |
| Wisconsin | $64,800 | 15,600 |
| New Hampshire | $64,570 | 4,200 |
| Indiana | $63,700 | 14,400 |
| South Dakota | $63,490 | 1,530 |
| Utah | $62,630 | 14,510 |
| New Mexico | $61,950 | 1,610 |
| Oklahoma | $61,940 | 6,620 |
| North Dakota | $61,580 | 1,550 |
| Kentucky | $61,480 | 6,290 |
| Wyoming | $60,990 | 850 |
| Idaho | $60,970 | 3,780 |
| Nebraska | $60,000 | 3,780 |
| Louisiana | $59,690 | 5,360 |
| Alabama | $59,530 | 8,390 |
| Hawaii | $59,390 | 1,610 |
| Mississippi | $56,640 | 2,620 |
| West Virginia | $52,340 | 1,650 |
State median wages for market research analysts and marketing specialists (SOC 13-1161), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS state files, May 2025. States where the BLS does not publish a median are not shown.
Job outlook for market research analysts and marketing specialists
The BLS projects employment of market research analysts and marketing specialists to grow 7% from 2025 to 2035. That is faster than the 3.5% average for all occupations. That works out to roughly 952,700 jobs in 2025 moving toward 1,019,000 by 2035.
Across the decade, the BLS expects about 82,000 openings a year for market research analysts and marketing specialists. Most come from the need to replace workers who move to other jobs or leave the workforce, on top of any new positions from growth.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program, 2025-35 (Table 1.2, Occupational projections and worker characteristics).
How to become a market research analyst and marketing specialist
The typical entry-level education for market research analysts and marketing specialists is a bachelor's degree, according to the BLS.
Education, training, and experience data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program.
What affects how much a market research analyst and marketing specialist earns
Firm size, industry, certifications, and years of experience drive the spread. Large firms and major financial centers pay well above small-town or entry-level roles.
Location is one of the clearest factors. The gap between the top paying state (Massachusetts, $101,810) and the lowest (West Virginia, $52,340) shows how much geography alone can move the number, before experience or specialization.
About 899,580 people work as market research analysts and marketing specialists in the United States. At $78,760 a year, the job pays above the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs.
Market research analyst and marketing specialist salary FAQ
How much does a market research analyst and marketing specialist make an hour?
The median hourly wage for a market research analyst and marketing specialist is $37.87. The middle half of market research analysts and marketing specialists earn between $28.05 and $52.07 per hour.
What is the highest market research analyst and marketing specialist salary?
The highest paid 10 percent of market research analysts and marketing specialists earn more than $155,480 per year. Top earners usually have the most experience and work in the best paying regions and industries.
How much does a market research analyst and marketing specialist make a year?
The median annual salary for a market research analyst and marketing specialist is $78,760. The average (mean) wage of $89,490 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
Is being a market research analyst and marketing specialist a well paid job?
At $78,760 a year, a market research analyst and marketing specialist earns above the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs. About 899,580 people work as market research analysts and marketing specialists in the United States.
Which state pays market research analysts and marketing specialists the most?
Massachusetts has the highest median salary for market research analysts and marketing specialists at $101,810 a year. Delaware ($101,270) and New York ($98,580) follow. State medians come from the BLS OEWS state files, May 2025.
Is being a market research analyst and marketing specialist a good career?
Employment of market research analysts and marketing specialists is projected to grow 7% from 2025 to 2035, faster than the 3.5% average for all occupations. The BLS projects about 82,000 openings each year, from growth and from workers leaving the occupation.
Do you need a degree to become a market research analyst and marketing specialist?
The BLS lists the typical entry-level education for market research analysts and marketing specialists as a bachelor's degree, so a college degree is usually expected.
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