Survey Researcher Salary
Survey Researchers earn a median $69,460 a year nationally. Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations
What survey researchers do
Plan, develop, or conduct surveys. May analyze and interpret the meaning of survey data, determine survey objectives, or suggest or test question wording.
- Typical education
- Master's degree
- Work experience
- None required
- On-the-job training
- None
- Job outlook, 2025–35
- -4.8% (declining)
- Openings per year
- 600
- Self-employed
- 10%
Employment of survey researchers is projected to shrink 4.8% from 2025 to 2035, slower than the 3.5% average for all occupations. About 600 openings are expected each year, on average, including jobs left by workers who retire or switch careers.
Source: BLS Standard Occupational Classification and Employment Projections, 2025–35.
Survey Researcher take-home pay calculator
Starts at the national median. Pick your state to see your real paycheck.
- Federal income tax$6,451
- Social Security (6.2%)$4,307
- Medicare (1.45%)$1,007
- Texas income tax$0
- Take-home pay$57,695
Marginal rate: 22% federal + 0.00% state
Pay by experience
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home (no state tax) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $39,260 | $18.88 | $33,725 |
| 25th percentile | $51,270 | $24.65 | $43,375 |
| Median (50th) | $69,460 | $33.39 | $57,695 |
| 75th percentile | $99,760 | $47.96 | $79,011 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $130,860 | $62.91 | $100,709 |
Survey Researcher salary by state
| State | Median | 1-yr change | Take-home | Range | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Minnesota | $104,220 | +9.0% | $76,585 | $55,420 – $124,140 | 340 |
| District of Columbia | $102,390 | +5.9% | $75,127 | $79,040 – $217,080 | 150 |
| Michigan | $101,550 | +61.1% | $76,205 | $57,050 – $155,830 | 150 |
| North Carolina | $96,560 | +25.4% | $73,416 | $53,680 – $171,270 | 350 |
| New Jersey | $95,580 | −6.7% | $72,172 | $54,900 – $190,360 | 100 |
| Wisconsin | $92,660 | +23.4% | $70,486 | $66,800 – $125,410 | 60 |
| Colorado | $89,870 | +19.4% | $68,808 | $47,600 – $145,040 | 110 |
| Connecticut | $88,320 | +33.4% | $67,681 | $56,800 – $129,980 | 110 |
| New York | $86,890 | +5.3% | $65,862 | $60,890 – $127,820 | 380 |
| Wyoming | $84,360 | +34.1% | $68,177 | $55,940 – $108,300 | 40 |
| Maryland | $84,030 | −6.8% | $64,317 | $44,730 – $135,520 | 390 |
| California | $83,520 | +8.2% | $62,963 | $52,110 – $171,640 | 1,180 |
| Iowa | $83,170 | +6.9% | $64,831 | $74,350 – $93,950 | 90 |
| Utah | $79,090 | +57.7% | $61,877 | $51,160 – $175,100 | 50 |
| Massachusetts | $74,890 | — | $57,991 | $43,730 – $90,780 | 160 |
| Alaska | $70,560 | +12.6% | $58,469 | $63,490 – $89,230 | 40 |
| Washington | $69,590 | +8.5% | $57,787 | $48,760 – $97,150 | 130 |
| Tennessee | $66,900 | +19.6% | $55,894 | $45,760 – $97,380 | 210 |
| Missouri | $66,460 | +28.6% | $53,394 | $29,270 – $97,990 | 130 |
| Oregon | $64,660 | −21.4% | $49,306 | $57,270 – $107,290 | 190 |
| Nebraska | $64,530 | +4.1% | $51,973 | $33,070 – $83,540 | 210 |
| Pennsylvania | $63,310 | +3.6% | $51,106 | $18,180 – $82,930 | — |
| New Mexico | $61,380 | +4.1% | $49,780 | $52,270 – $80,450 | 130 |
| Arizona | $59,210 | +1.3% | $48,484 | $46,930 – $142,980 | — |
| Kansas | $57,700 | −4.4% | $46,122 | $33,730 – $79,080 | 210 |
| Ohio | $57,630 | −23.6% | $47,683 | $36,130 – $112,490 | 320 |
| Oklahoma | $57,200 | +10.2% | $46,112 | $44,490 – $84,640 | 50 |
| Illinois | $54,080 | −41.5% | $43,101 | $42,750 – $135,730 | 320 |
| Georgia | $51,590 | +5.7% | $41,578 | $41,780 – $92,800 | — |
| Maine | $47,330 | +10.2% | $38,197 | $35,820 – $77,880 | 60 |
| Texas | $47,330 | +28.1% | $40,210 | $26,040 – $82,060 | 680 |
Related jobs
| Job | Median salary | Education | Growth 2025–35 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Anthropologist and Archeologist | $70,770 | Master's degree | +6.0% |
| Historian | $76,750 | Master's degree | +3.0% |
| Urban and Regional Planner | $89,320 | Master's degree | +3.9% |
| School Psychologist | $95,990 | Master's degree | +0.8% |
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologist | $100,580 | Doctoral or professional degree | +11.7% |
| Social Scientists and Related Workers, All Other | $101,110 | Bachelor's degree | -0.2% |
| Geographer | $102,040 | Bachelor's degree | -2.1% |
| Sociologist | $106,030 | Master's degree | +3.8% |
| Psychologists, All Other | $110,840 | Master's degree | +2.3% |
| Economist | $124,720 | Master's degree | +4.7% |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a survey researcher make?
The national median salary for survey researchers is $69,460 a year ($33.39 an hour). The lowest-paid 10% earn under $39,260 and the top 10% earn over $130,860. Source: BLS, May 2025.
Which state pays survey researchers the most?
Minnesota has the highest median pay at $104,220.
How many survey researchers are there in the U.S.?
About 8,290 people work as survey researchers nationwide.