California Median
$83,520
per year
Hourly Rate
$40.15
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+20% vs US median
US median $69,460
State Rank
#12 of 31
1,180 employed here
How much does a Survey Researcher make in California?
Survey Researchers in California take home a median of $83,520 annually — roughly $40.15 an hour — which runs 20% above the national median of $69,460.
Within California, entry-level pay starts around $52,110 while the top 10% make $171,640 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $68,840 and $119,090 a year.
Survey Researcher salary range in California
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $52,110 | $25.05 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $68,840 | $33.10 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $83,520 | $40.15 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $119,090 | $57.25 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $171,640 | $82.52 |
|
How California compares
California ranks 12th out of 31 states and territories for Survey Researcher pay. The top 5 best-paying states:
Survey Researcher salary in other states
Minnesota $104,220District of Columbia $102,390Michigan $101,550North Carolina $96,560New Jersey $95,580Wisconsin $92,660Colorado $89,870Connecticut $88,320New York $86,890Wyoming $84,360Maryland $84,030Iowa $83,170Utah $79,090Massachusetts $74,890Alaska $70,560Washington $69,590Tennessee $66,900Missouri $66,460Oregon $64,660Nebraska $64,530Pennsylvania $63,310New Mexico $61,380Arizona $59,210Kansas $57,700Ohio $57,630Oklahoma $57,200Illinois $54,080Georgia $51,590Maine $47,330Texas $47,330
Working as a Survey Researcher in California
Nationally, about 8,000 people work as Survey Researchers in the United States. A bachelor's degree (about 4 years of college) is the standard entry requirement.
Considering a move? Compare California pay ($83,520) against the highest-paying state above, and weigh the difference against housing and everyday costs — a smaller paycheck in a cheaper state can stretch further.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a Survey Researcher make in California?
The median Survey Researcher salary in California is $83,520 per year, or about $40.15 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $52,110 at the entry level to $171,640 for the top 10% of earners.
How does California pay compare to the national average?
California pays Survey Researchers about 20% more than the national median of $69,460. California ranks 12th out of 31 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is California a good state for Survey Researchers?
Yes on pay — California pays above the national median for this occupation, at $83,520 a year. About 1,180 Survey Researchers are employed in California. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in California?
The highest-paying occupations in California include Ophthalmologist, Except Pediatric ($400,150), Neurologist ($357,080), Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers ($353,900), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.
← See the national Survey Researcher salary report
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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). State figures are official BLS state-level wage estimates. Where BLS suppresses a state percentile, it is scaled from the official national distribution. Individual pay varies by employer, metro area, and experience.