Economist
Median wage · national
$124,720
Range: $89K – $175K
Employed
18K
Openings/yr
900
Typically: master's degree
BUSINESS
Survey Researcher
Survey Researcher earn $69,460 nationally at the median. The middle 50% of workers fall between $51,270 and $99,760. Where you land depends on specialization, employer, and experience.
About Survey Researcher
Plan, develop, or conduct surveys. May analyze and interpret the meaning of survey data, determine survey objectives, or suggest or test question wording. Includes social scientists who primarily design questionnaires or supervise survey teams.
- Median Wage
- $69,460
- Employed Nationally
- 8K
- Openings / Year
- 700
- Entry Education
- Master's degree
- Job Zone
- Zone 5: Extensive Preparation
Also known as:
Analytic Methodologist
Bilingual Field Interviewer
Data Analyst
Data Collection Specialist
Data Collector
How Much Do Survey Researchers Make?
Survey Researcher earn $69,460 nationally, near the national median for college graduates. The middle 50% of earners fall between $51,270 and $99,760. Actual pay varies by employer, specialization, and location.
$69,460
National Median (Annual)
Near the national median for college graduates.
$51K–$100K
Middle 50% Range
25th to 75th percentile. Most workers earn within this band.
Earnings Range
$51,270
Entry-level
$69,460
Median
$99,760
Experienced
The mean wage for this occupation is $79,580, above the median. A concentration of very high earners pulls the average up. The median is the better gauge of typical pay.
What Do Survey Researchers Do?
O*NET data identifies 5 core activities and 5 measurable skills for Survey Researcher roles. Use this section to judge whether the day-to-day reality aligns with what you actually want to spend time doing.
What You'll Do
- Conduct surveys and collect data, using methods such as interviews, questionnaires, focus groups, market analysis surveys, public opinion polls, literature reviews, and file reviews.
- Prepare and present summaries and analyses of survey data, including tables, graphs, and fact sheets that describe survey techniques and results.
- Consult with clients to identify survey needs and specific requirements, such as special samples.
- Determine and specify details of survey projects, including sources of information, procedures to be used, and the design of survey instruments and materials.
- Support, plan, and coordinate operations for single or multiple surveys.
Core Skills Employers Look For
Writing
Speaking
Critical Thinking
Reading Comprehension
Active Listening
Who Thrives Here
I
Investigative
This career demands analytical thinking: researching problems, interpreting data, and applying logical reasoning to find practical solutions.
C
Conventional
Success depends on precision and structured processes, where detail-oriented people who work consistently within established systems perform best.
E
Enterprising
Leadership, influence, and business acumen are rewarded here, where managing teams, driving decisions, or persuading others shapes career outcomes.
Where Do Survey Researchers Work?
What the physical and mental conditions of this job actually look like day to day, based on O*NET Work Context data collected from people working in this occupation.
Work Setting
Mixed
Split between indoor and outdoor or field settings.
Physical Demands
Light
Mix of sitting and movement throughout the day.
Stress Level
Moderate
Moderate pressure. Regular deadlines exist but are generally manageable with experience.
What Is the Job Outlook for Survey Researchers?
The BLS projects -5.2% employment change for Survey Researcher through 2034, a declining trend, below the national average of +5%. About 700 openings per year keep the field accessible to new entrants.
↘ -5.2%
10-Year Growth (2024–2034)
Declining employment projected.
700
Annual Openings
New positions plus replacements for retirees and career-changers.
8K
Currently Employed
Total US employment as of BLS May 2024.
Source: BLS Employment Projections 2024–2034 and Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics May 2024.
Where the Jobs Are
The five states below employ the most Survey Researcher professionals nationwide. State-level wages can differ significantly from the $69,460 national median. Research your specific market before committing to a program.
| # | State | Jobs | Median Wage | vs. National |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | California | 1,090 | $77,180 | +11.1% |
| 2 | Georgia | 830 | $48,800 | -29.7% |
| 3 | Texas | 810 | $36,950 | -46.8% |
| 4 | Maryland | 420 | $90,190 | +29.8% |
| 5 | New York | 370 | $82,550 | +18.8% |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2024. Employment figures rounded. Read our methodology →
How to Get Here
Most Survey Researcher positions require a master's degree to qualify. The 8 programs below are the most common academic pathways into this field, ranked by how many graduates they produce each year.
Typical Entry Education
Master's degree
Job Zone
Zone 5: Extensive Preparation
Extensive education (usually a master's or doctoral degree) plus years of field experience is required to qualify for most positions.
Degree Programs That Lead Here
| # | Program | Graduates/yr | 4yr Median | Colleges |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Management Sciences | 56,747 | $86,176 | 593 |
| 2 | Marketing | 52,820 | $69,303 | 1,164 |
| 3 | Economics | 46,225 | $82,686 | 928 |
| 4 | Social Sciences | 17,458 | $53,366 | 529 |
| 5 | Statistics | 9,944 | $92,425 | 281 |
| 6 | Business Statistics | 4,885 | $77,981 | 258 |
| 7 | Educational Evaluation | 4,249 | $47,700 | 164 |
| 8 | Applied Statistics | 541 | — | 31 |
Top Colleges for Aspiring Survey Researchers
Colleges offering the degree programs that lead to this career, ranked by UCD Score. A strong program plus solid outcomes is a good place to begin your search.
| # | College | UCD Score | Net Price | Salary 10yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | United States Naval Academy Annapolis, MD | 97 | — | — |
| 2 | United States Air Force Academy USAF Academy, CO | 96 | — | — |
| 3 | United States Military Academy West Point, NY | 96 | — | — |
| 4 | Princeton University Princeton, NJ | 94 | $6,128 | $110,066 |
| 5 | CUNY Bernard M Baruch College New York, NY | 93 | $3,033 | $75,971 |
| 6 | University of California-Los Angeles Los Angeles, CA | 93 | $12,548 | $82,511 |
Plan Your Path
Once you've sized up Survey Researcher, these tools turn the numbers into a plan. Estimate the real cost of a degree that leads here, weigh the long-term payoff, compare specific colleges side-by-side, and find programs that match your profile.
College ROI Calculator
See if the degree that leads to Survey Researcher pays off. Weighs each college's cost against the earnings graduates see.
College Cost Calculator
Enter a budget and see the colleges whose net price fits, with the out-of-pocket cost and likely loan load for each.
Compare Colleges
Put any 2–4 colleges side-by-side. Admissions, cost, outcomes, and earnings, all on one screen, no tab-hopping.
College Match Quiz
Answer six quick questions and see your best-fit colleges ranked by budget, field of study, and what matters most to you.
Survey Researcher Pros & Cons
Survey Researcher has real financial strengths, but declining employment projections deserve careful consideration. The 1 upsides and 4 concerns below are all data-sourced.
PROS
- Competitive salary $69,460 median wage puts this career near or above the national average for bachelor's degree holders.
CONS
- Declining employment The BLS projects -5.2% employment change through 2034. This field is expected to shrink. Automation, offshoring, or structural industry change are likely factors.
- High education requirement Most employers require a master's degree, typically 6 to 10+ years of higher education before earning full wages. Factor tuition costs into your ROI calculation.
- High earnings variance The gap between the 25th ($51,270) and 75th ($99,760) percentile is wide. Where you land depends heavily on employer, location, and specialization.
- Entry-level pay well below the national median The 25th percentile wage of $51,270 is considerably below the $69,460 median. Early-career workers typically spend 5 or more years building toward typical pay. Factor this into any program ROI calculation.
Survey Researcher Frequently Asked Questions
How much do Survey Researcher professionals earn?
The national median annual wage for Survey Researcher is $69,460, near the national median for full-time workers. The middle 50% of earners fall between $51,270 and $99,760. Pay varies by employer size, industry sector, specialization, and geography. National figures are a starting point, not a guarantee.
Is Survey Researcher a good career?
With realistic expectations. The BLS projects -5.2% employment change through 2034. This field is shrinking, not expanding. The $69,460 median wage is competitive, but most openings come from retirements and exits rather than new positions. If you're drawn to this work, differentiate through a specialized niche or adjacent certification that keeps you relevant as the broader field contracts.
How long does it take to become a Survey Researcher?
Plan on 8 to 12 or more years of combined education and supervised training before qualifying for career-level roles. A master's degree is the typical minimum credential. Degree programs like Management Sciences are typical entry paths. Early-career pay during this ramp-up period will be meaningfully below the $69,460 national median. Factor that gap into any program ROI calculation.
Is a master's degree worth it to become a Survey Researcher?
It depends heavily on program cost. At $69,460 median, expensive graduate school debt can take 20 or more years to recover. In-state public schools, employer-sponsored programs, or income-driven repayment make the strongest case. School choice (specifically tuition cost and your expected local job market) matters as much as the credential itself.
Why are Survey Researcher jobs declining?
The BLS projects -5.2% employment change for Survey Researcher through 2034. Declining occupations typically face some combination of automation, industry consolidation, offshoring, or reduced consumer demand, rarely a single cause. Despite the overall decline, about 700 openings per year are still projected, mostly replacements for workers who retire or leave, not new positions. 8K people currently work in this field, so while it's contracting, active hiring still occurs. Specialization in high-value segments of the role gives the strongest protection.
What skills do Survey Researcher professionals need?
O*NET data identifies the core skills employers consistently prioritize for Survey Researcher roles: Writing, Speaking, Critical Thinking, Reading Comprehension, and Active Listening. These develop through formal education and hands-on work. Programs with internship or co-op requirements give you a meaningful head start on the ones that take time to build.
Related Findings
-
10 Six-Figure Careers That Do Not Need a Bachelor's Degree
Air traffic controllers earn more than the typical bachelor's-degree career, with an associate degree. The occupations that pay six figures without four years of college.
- No bachelor degree
- High paying careers
- Associate degree
- Trades
- Median wage
-
Does a Master's Degree Pay Off? Barely, on Average
Group every career by the degree it requires and master's-level jobs pay a median of about $91,000, statistically tied with bachelor's-level work. The premium hides in a few fields.
- Master's degree
- Bachelor's degree
- Median wage
- Graduate school
- Career outcomes
-
Growing and Paying $80K Plus: The Careers That Do Both
Only 95 of 385 federal careers both pay a median above $80,000 and grow faster than the typical job. Here is the rare set that clears both bars.
- Career growth
- Median wage
- High-paying careers
- Job outlook
- Career change
Continue Exploring
Browse our full directory: every college, major, program, and career we track, all built from verified government data.
Colleges
Discover 3,811 verified US colleges and universities. Compare admissions, costs, outcomes, and earnings across every accredited institution nationwide.
Majors
Explore 38 fields of study spanning STEM, health, business, and the humanities. See earnings, top programs, and demand.
Programs
Browse 375 specific degree programs. See completion counts, earnings outcomes, and the colleges awarding the most graduates each year.
Careers
Look up 395 BLS occupations. Get median wages, growth projections, education requirements, and the majors leading to each career.