Career Profile • 13-1161

Market research analysts and marketing specialists

Typical entry-level education: Bachelor's degree. 2025 median annual wage: $78760. Projected employment change, 2025–35: 7%.

Market research analysts and marketing specialists career field illustration
Typical EducationBachelor's degree
Median Annual Wage$78,760
Projected Growth7%
Annual Openings82
Employment, 2025952.7
Projected Employment, 20351019
Related ExperienceNone
On-the-Job TrainingNone
Skills That Matter

Top Skills for This Career

BLS identifies these as the three highest-rated skills for this detailed occupation. TrustInEd adds the plain-language explanations so visitors understand what each skill means.

1
Writing and reading

Understanding written information and communicating ideas clearly in writing.

2
Critical and analytical thinking

Examining information carefully, recognizing patterns, and using evidence to reach sound conclusions.

3
Adaptability

Adjusting effectively when priorities, conditions, tools, or expectations change.

How do these skills connect to you?Use Hear From ED to reflect on your strengths, interests and work preferences.Explore with ED →
Education & Training Pathway

How Do You Prepare for This Career?

BLS describes the typical preparation for this occupation. Requirements can vary by employer, state, licensing rules and individual circumstances.

🎓Typical Entry EducationBachelor's degree
🧰On-the-Job TrainingNone
💼Related ExperienceNone

How to Become One

Market research analysts typically need a bachelor’s degree. Some employers require or prefer that job candidates have a master’s degree. PayThe median annual wage for market research analysts was $78,760 in May 2025. Job Outlook Employment of market research analysts is projected to grow 7 percent from 2025 to 2035, much faster than the average for all occupations. About 82,000 openings for market research analysts are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire. State & Area Data Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for market research analysts. Similar Occupations Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of market research analysts with similar occupations. More Information, Including Links to O*NET Learn more about market research analysts by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.

Your Next Step

Compare colleges and education options that can support the typical entry-level education for this career.

Find Education Programs
Earnings

Pay

The median annual wage for market research analysts was $78,760 in May 2025. Job Outlook Employment of market research analysts is projected to grow 7 percent from 2025 to 2035, much faster than the average for all occupations. About 82,000 openings for market research analysts are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire. State & Area Data Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for market research analysts. Similar Occupations Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of market research analysts with similar occupations. More Information, Including Links to O*NET Learn more about market research analysts by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.

$78,7602025 median annual wage
Future Outlook

Job Outlook

Employment of market research analysts is projected to grow 7 percent from 2025 to 2035, much faster than the average for all occupations. About 82,000 openings for market research analysts are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire. State & Area Data Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for market research analysts. Similar Occupations Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of market research analysts with similar occupations. More Information, Including Links to O*NET Learn more about market research analysts by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.

What They Do

Market research analysts study consumer preferences, business conditions, and other factors to assess potential sales of a product or service.

Work Environment

Because most industries use market research, these analysts are employed throughout the economy. Most analysts work full time during regular business hours.

How to Become a Market Research Analyst

Market research analysts typically need a bachelor’s degree. Some employers require or prefer that job candidates have a master’s degree.

Pay

The median annual wage for market research analysts was $78,760 in May 2025.

Job Outlook

Employment of market research analysts is projected to grow 7 percent from 2025 to 2035, much faster than the average for all occupations.

About 82,000 openings for market research analysts are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.

State & Area Data

Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for market research analysts.

Similar Occupations

Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of market research analysts with similar occupations.

More Information, Including Links to O*NET

Learn more about market research analysts by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.

Work Environment

Because most industries use market research, these analysts are employed throughout the economy. Most analysts work full time during regular business hours.

How to Become a Market Research Analyst

Market research analysts typically need a bachelor’s degree. Some employers require or prefer that job candidates have a master’s degree.

Pay

The median annual wage for market research analysts was $78,760 in May 2025.

Job Outlook

Employment of market research analysts is projected to grow 7 percent from 2025 to 2035, much faster than the average for all occupations.

About 82,000 openings for market research analysts are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.

State & Area Data

Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for market research analysts.

Similar Occupations

Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of market research analysts with similar occupations.

More Information, Including Links to O*NET

Learn more about market research analysts by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.

State & Area Data

Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for market research analysts.

Similar Occupations

Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of market research analysts with similar occupations.

More Information, Including Links to O*NET

Learn more about market research analysts by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.

More Information

Learn more about market research analysts by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.

Take the Next Step

Find Education Programs

Compare colleges and education options that can support the typical entry-level education for this career.

Explore pathway →

Search Jobs

See current opportunities related to this career.

Search jobs →

Hear From ED

Use the guided career counseling experience to connect this career to your goals, skills and education preferences.

Start with ED →

Career data and occupational profile text are sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook and Employment Projections program. Education requirements are typical entry-level requirements and may vary by employer, state, occupation or individual circumstance. View the official BLS profile.

Stay Connected

Follow TrustInEd & Watch Flex Your Future

Career exploration, education guidance, student success content and new Flex Your Future episodes.