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Survey Researcher
Also called: Survey Methodologist · Research Analyst · Polling Analyst · Public Opinion Researcher
What survey researchers do, what they earn, how long training takes and how to get started, with official BLS pay data and practical, job-level detail.
What does a survey researcher do?
Survey researchers plan, develop or conduct surveys and analyze survey results to gather information about people’s opinions, behaviors and characteristics. The median pay is $69,460 per year (BLS, May 2025), most people train for about 2 years after a bachelor’s, and employment is projected to grow -4.8% from 2025–35.
Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026
- Median pay$69,460$33.40/hour · May 2025
- Job growth-4.8%2025–35, a projected decline
- Openings per year600Average, 2025–35
- Typical entry educationMaster's degreeBLS classification
- Time to train2 years after a bachelor’sTypical program length
- U.S. jobs9,800Employment, 2025
What survey researchers do
Survey researchers ask good questions and make sense of the answers. They design questionnaires, choose samples, run surveys online, by phone or in person, weight and analyze data and write reports for governments, universities, pollsters and companies.
Most have a master’s degree in survey methodology, statistics or social science. BLS projects decline, though demand for good data remains.
Typical duties
- Design questionnaires
- Choose samples
- Run surveys
- Weight data
- Analyze results
- Write reports
- Test questions
Work environment and schedule
Survey researchers work in offices and remotely.
Schedule: Full-time business hours.
A day in the life
- Review overnight survey responses.
- Test new questions with a focus group.
- Weight data.
- Analyze results.
See a full day in the life of a survey researcher →
Survey Researcher salary
Half of survey researchers earned more than $69,460 and half earned less in May 2025. Pay ranged from about $39,260 for the lowest 10% to $130,860 for the top 10%.
Full survey researcher pay scale and hourly rates →
How to become a survey researcher
- Earn a bachelor’s
- Learn statistics
- Earn a master’s
- Work as an analyst
- Advance
A master’s degree in survey methodology, statistics or a social science is typical.
Step-by-step guide to becoming a survey researcher →
Skills and tools
Technical skills
- Questionnaire design
- Sampling
- Statistics
- Weighting
- Data analysis
People skills
- Attention to detail
- Communication
- Objectivity
- Curiosity
All survey researcher skills and tools →
Pros and cons
Pros
- Interesting topics
- Remote options
- Mix of design and analysis
- Influence on decisions
Cons
- Declining employment
- Falling response rates
- Deadlines
- Small field
Certifications and licenses
- Master’s in survey methodology: Typical.
- AAPOR training: Professional courses.
- PRC: Professional Researcher Certification.
- Statistics certificates: Helpful.
Career path
- Research Assistant: Entry.
- Survey Researcher: Design studies.
- Senior Researcher: Lead projects.
- Research Director: Lead research.
Learn the job before day one
Our Survey Researcher training (10 hours, $89.99) covers the role, 15+ key terms, step-by-step procedures such as write survey questions that get honest answers and calculate a margin of error, safety and how to land your first job.
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Compare: Survey Researcher vs. Statistician · Survey Researcher vs. Digital Marketing Specialist · Survey Researcher vs. Economist · Survey Researcher vs. Sociologist
Survey Researcher FAQ
Do survey researchers need a master’s?
Usually, yes.
Is the field growing?
BLS projects decline.
Where do they work?
Governments, universities, pollsters and companies.
How much does a survey researcher make?
The median annual wage for survey researchers was $69,460 ($33.40 per hour) in May 2025, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The lowest 10% earned less than $39,260 and the highest 10% earned more than $130,860.
How long does it take to become a survey researcher?
Most people need about 2 years after a bachelor’s of training. A master’s degree in survey methodology, statistics or a social science is typical.
Do you need a degree to be a survey researcher?
Yes. BLS lists a master's degree as the typical entry-level education.
More survey researcher questions →
Sources
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025, SOC 19-3022 (Survey researchers).
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS Employment Projections, Table 1.2 (2025–35).
- O*NET OnLine summary for Survey researchers (U.S. Department of Labor).
- BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook.
Reviewed by the Career Education Institute Curriculum Team. Pay figures are national estimates; local pay varies. See our editorial policy.