Survey Researchers
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.
Also called: Analytic Methodologist, Bilingual Field Interviewer, Data Analyst, Data Collection Specialist, Data Collector, Evaluation Analyst
Median pay
$69,460
per year, U.S.
Pay range (10th–90th)
$39,260 – $130,860
People employed
8,290
Holland code
ICE
Investigative · Conventional · Enterprising
Updated October 2026 · Data: O*NET 31.0 and BLS OEWS May 2025 · How we match careers
Is this career right for you?
These are the things that stand out in this job compared with other U.S. jobs (O*NET 31.0 work context). Answer honestly.
- 1.Do you want a job with little physical risk?
- 2.Are you comfortable sitting at a desk most of the day?
- 3.Are you happy working mostly on your own, with little contact with others?
- 4.Do you want to stay at 40 hours a week or less?
The hard parts
- Tight deadlines are common
Survey Researchers pay by state
Highest-paying states
Annual median pay by state (30 states and DC with published data). Source: BLS OEWS May 2025.
What survey researchers do
- 01Conduct surveys and collect data, using methods such as interviews, questionnaires, focus groups, market analysis surveys, public opinion polls, literature reviews, and file reviews.
- 02Prepare and present summaries and analyses of survey data, including tables, graphs, and fact sheets that describe survey techniques and results.
- 03Consult with clients to identify survey needs and specific requirements, such as special samples.
- 04Determine and specify details of survey projects, including sources of information, procedures to be used, and the design of survey instruments and materials.
- 05Support, plan, and coordinate operations for single or multiple surveys.
- 06Monitor and evaluate survey progress and performance, using sample disposition reports and response rate calculations.
Skills that matter most
- Speaking
- Critical Thinking
- Reading Comprehension
- Active Listening
- Writing
- Mathematics
Knowledge
- English Language
- Sociology and Anthropology
- Mathematics
- Computers and Electronics
- Administration and Management
Work styles that stand out
- Dependability
- Attention to Detail
- Intellectual Curiosity
Education and first steps
Share of workers by required education, as reported to O*NET.
How people get started
- Usually needs a graduate degree (O*NET Job Zone 5).
- Related work experience: over 1 year, up to and including 2 years.
- On-the-job training: over 6 months, up to and including 1 year.
Most common answers from O*NET 31.0 Education, Training and Experience.
Interest fit (Holland code)
O*NET occupational interest scores, scale 1–7. Take the Free Career Test to compare with your own.
Career changes
Change from survey researchers
- Management Analysts90% · +47%
- Statisticians89% · +52%
- Social Science Research Assistants88% · −11%
- Business Intelligence Analysts87% · group pay
- Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists85% · +13%
Change into survey researchers
Jobs whose skills carry over best (skill match, their median pay).
- Social Science Research Assistants87% · $61,990
- Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists79% · $78,760
- Business Intelligence Analysts78% · $120,230
- Financial Quantitative Analysts78% · $81,100
- Statistical Assistants78% · $50,330
Majors that lead here
- Institutional Research
- Statistics, General
- Applied Statistics, General
- Research Methodology and Quantitative Methods
- Economics, General
- Applied Economics
- Business/Managerial Economics
- Business Statistics
- Marketing Research
From the NCES CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 crosswalk.