Salary and Outlook

According to the US Department of Labor, there are 10,400 people employed as survey researchers in the United States. The median annual salary is $59,740. Entry level employees earn approximately $26,360 per year and senior employees earn approximately $101,180 per year.

Estimates do not include other potential benefits such as health insurance, overtime pay, or retirement benefits that may be offered by employers.

Job Duties

• Direct updates and changes in survey implementation and methods.
• Write training manuals to be used by survey interviewers.
• Write proposals to win new projects.
• Collaborate with other researchers in the planning, implementation, and evaluation of surveys.
• Hire and train recruiters and data collectors.
• Analyze data from surveys, old records, or case studies, using statistical software.
• Review, classify, and record survey data in preparation for computer analysis.
• Monitor and evaluate survey progress and performance, using sample disposition reports and response rate calculations.
• Produce documentation of the questionnaire development process, data collection methods, sampling designs, and decisions related to sample statistical weighting.
• Prepare and present summaries and analyses of survey data, including tables, graphs, and fact sheets that describe survey techniques and results.
• Determine and specify details of survey projects, including sources of information, procedures to be used, and the design of survey instruments and materials.
• Consult with clients to identify survey needs and specific requirements, such as special samples.
• Conduct surveys and collect data, using methods such as interviews, questionnaires, focus groups, market analysis surveys, public opinion polls, literature reviews, and file reviews.
• Support, plan, and coordinate operations for single or multiple surveys.
• Conduct research to gather information about survey topics.
• Direct and review the work of staff members, including survey support staff and interviewers who gather survey data.

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