Business & Finance
Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists
Also called: Business Development Specialist, Communications Consultant, Communications Specialist, Content Strategist
US median pay
$78,760
per year, 2025
Job growth 2025–35
+7%
faster than average
Openings a year (US)
82,000
952,700 employed
Typical entry education
Bachelor's degree
Preparation 4/5 · Considerable preparation
What this job is
Research conditions in local, regional, national, or online markets. Gather information to determine potential sales of a product or service, or plan a marketing or advertising campaign. May gather information on competitors, prices, sales, and methods of marketing and distribution. May employ search marketing tactics, analyze web metrics, and develop recommendations to increase search engine ranking and visibility to target markets.
What they do day to day
- Prepare reports of findings, illustrating data graphically and translating complex findings into written text.
- Seek and provide information to help companies determine their position in the marketplace.
- Conduct research on consumer opinions and marketing strategies, collaborating with marketing professionals, statisticians, pollsters, and other professionals.
- Collect and analyze data on customer demographics, preferences, needs, and buying habits to identify potential markets and factors affecting product demand.
- Devise and evaluate methods and procedures for collecting data, such as surveys, opinion polls, or questionnaires, or arrange to obtain existing data.
- Gather data on competitors and analyze their prices, sales, and method of marketing and distribution.
- Measure and assess customer and employee satisfaction.
- Monitor industry statistics and follow trends in trade literature.
- Direct trained survey interviewers.
- Measure the effectiveness of marketing, advertising, and communications programs and strategies.
Skills and knowledge that matter most
Skills
- Judgment and Decision Making3.8/5
- Complex Problem Solving3.8/5
- Systems Evaluation3.1/5
- Social Perceptiveness3.1/5
- Persuasion3.1/5
- Time Management3.0/5
- Systems Analysis3.0/5
- Coordination3.0/5
Knowledge
- English Language4.2/5
- Sales and Marketing3.6/5
- Customer and Personal Service3.4/5
- Administration and Management3.4/5
- Mathematics3.0/5
- Administrative3.0/5
Importance rated by people working in the job (1 = not important, 5 = extremely important).
Education and preparation
Preparation level 4 of 5 — Considerable preparation. Usually a bachelor's degree and several years of related experience.
Typical entry education (BLS): Bachelor's degree.
Who this job suits
Mostly Enterprising
Leading, persuading and starting things
Conventional
Organising data, details and procedures
Investigative
Ideas, research and solving problems
Based on the Holland (RIASEC) interest profile for this occupation.