Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists Salary: How Much Do They Make? (2026)

Median pay, hourly rates, salary ranges, and best-paying states for Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists — from official U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data.

Official BLS wage data · Unknown vintage
Median Salary
$78,760
per year, national
Hourly Rate
$37.87
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
Top 10% Earn
$155,480
entry level starts ~$43,390
Pay Grade
B+
strong pay · 900,000 employed

How much do Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists make?

The median pay for Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists in the United States is $78,760 per year — about $37.87 per hour. Entry-level positions start near $43,390, while the most experienced professionals in the top 10% earn $155,480.

That is $17,370 more than the median across all occupations in BLS data ($61,390).

Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists salary range by percentile

Half of all Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists earn between $58,350 and $108,310 a year.

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$43,390$20.86
25th percentile (early career)$58,350$28.05
50th percentile (median)$78,760$37.87
75th percentile (experienced)$108,310$52.07
90th percentile (top earners)$155,480$74.75

Highest-paying states for Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists

Where you work matters more than almost anything else. Massachusetts leads the country for Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists pay at $101,810 a year, followed by Delaware ($101,270) and New York ($98,580). At the other end, West Virginia posts the lowest median at $52,340 — a gap of $49,470 for the same job, driven by local demand, industry mix, and cost of living.

#StateMedian salaryHourlyvs national
1Massachusetts$101,810$48.95+29%
2Delaware$101,270$48.69+29%
3New York$98,580$47.39+25%
4District of Columbia$98,090$47.16+25%
5Washington$95,120$45.73+21%

Workforce and education

About 900,000 people work as Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists in the United States. The mean (average) wage is $89,490 — above the median, which means high earners pull the average up. On qualifications: a bachelor's degree (about 4 years of college) is the standard entry requirement, per O*NET occupation data.

Frequently asked questions

How much do Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists make in the United States?
The median Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists salary in the United States is $78,760 per year, or about $37.87 per hour, according to U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates. Entry-level pay (10th percentile) starts around $43,390, while the top 10% of earners make $155,480 or more.
How does Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists pay compare to other jobs?
With a pay grade of B+ (strong pay), the Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists median of $78,760 is above the national median across all occupations tracked in BLS data ($61,390).
Which state pays Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists the most?
Massachusetts is the highest-paying state for Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists, with a median salary of $101,810 per year, based on official state-level BLS wage estimates.
What education do Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists need?
For most positions, a bachelor's degree (about 4 years of college) is the standard entry requirement, according to O*NET occupation data from the U.S. Department of Labor.
How many Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists work in the United States?
About 900,000 people were employed as Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists in the United States in the latest BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics estimates.

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Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), Unknown vintage. Education requirements: O*NET (U.S. Department of Labor). Percentiles, employment, and state figures are official BLS estimates; hourly figures assume 2,080 hours/year. Individual pay varies by employer, experience, and location.