Data current as of August 2026 · sources: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and O*NET
Average base salary, Maryland
$95,500 / year
≈ $7,950 per month · $45.91 per hour
BLS May 2025 state data for Maryland · median $87,000
25th percentile
$64,500Average
$95,50075th percentile
$117,000
$64,500Average
$95,50075th percentile
$117,000
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, aged to 2026 using compounded market movement. State selections show BLS state-level figures where published. Actual pay varies with experience, industry, and organization size.
Survey Researcher salary by state
Alaska$77,500
Arizona$71,000
California$106,000
Colorado$97,000
Connecticut$95,000
District of Columbia$125,500
Georgia$65,000
Illinois$78,500
Iowa$85,000
Kansas$60,000
Maine$52,500
Maryland$95,500
Massachusetts$71,500
Michigan$107,000
Minnesota$102,000
Missouri$67,000
Nebraska$63,000
New Jersey$110,500
New Mexico$69,500
New York$93,500
North Carolina$106,000
Ohio$71,000
Oklahoma$62,500
Oregon$76,000
Pennsylvania$59,000
Tennessee$73,500
Texas$49,500
Utah$105,500
Washington$78,500
Wisconsin$99,500
Wyoming$82,500
About this role
Survey Researcher is a professional role within the function in the Life, Physical, and Social Science job family.
Pay for this title reflects both its level and its scope; see our Title Level and Organization Responsibility guides for how WePayFairly defines them.
What Survey Researchers do
Typical education: Bachelor's Degree
- Conduct surveys and collect data, using methods such as interviews, questionnaires, focus groups, market analysis surveys, public opinion polls, literature reviews, and file reviews.
- Prepare and present summaries and analyses of survey data, including tables, graphs, and fact sheets that describe survey techniques and results.
- Consult with clients to identify survey needs and specific requirements, such as special samples.
- Determine and specify details of survey projects, including sources of information, procedures to be used, and the design of survey instruments and materials.
- Support, plan, and coordinate operations for single or multiple surveys.
Top skills: Writing Speaking Reading Comprehension Critical Thinking Active Listening Mathematics
Includes information from O*NET OnLine by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (CC BY 4.0).
Survey Researcher pay by experience level
Entry level$40,500
Typical starting pay (about the 10th percentile)
Early career$53,000
A few years in (about the 25th percentile)
Experienced$72,000
Mid-career median pay
Senior$103,500
Seasoned professionals (about the 75th percentile)
Top earners$135,500
Highest earners (about the 90th percentile)
Experience tiers are derived from the BLS wage percentile distribution for this occupation, aged to 2026. Actual pay varies by employer, location, and specialization.
Job outlook
-5.2%
projected change in jobs, 2024–2034
700
projected openings per year
Declining
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program (2024–2034). Openings include growth and replacement needs.
Survey Researcher salary by industry
Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services
4,770 workers
$89,000Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services
2,700 workers
$79,000Educational Services
1,510 workers
$68,500Scientific Research and Development Services
1,430 workers
$111,000Federal, State, and Local Government, excluding State and Local Schools and Hospitals and USPS
870 workers
$80,000Educational Services, State Government Owned
710 workers
$73,000State Government, excluding Schools and Hospitals (OEWS Designation)
650 workers
$74,500Religious, Grantmaking, Civic, Professional, and Similar Organizations
390 workers
$77,500Social Advocacy Organizations
300 workers
$76,000Administrative and Support Services
120 workers
$60,500National sector-level figures, BLS OEWS May 2025, aged to 2026.
How this role compares
Survey Researcher pays 18% below the average across 66 roles in the Life, Physical, and Social Science job family (family average $100,500).
Similar-paying roles in Life, Physical, and Social Science
Forensic Science Technician$82,000
Historian$84,000
Conservation Scientist$80,000
Soil and Plant Scientists$91,000
Animal Scientist$91,500
Hydrologic Technician$72,000
Careers related to Survey Researcher
Data Scientist$131,000
Statistical Assistant$57,500
Management Analyst$118,000
Statistician$119,500
Sociologist$119,000
Related occupations from O*NET OnLine, U.S. Department of Labor.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a Survey Researcher make?
The average base salary for a Survey Researcher in the United States is $82,500 per year, or about $39.66 per hour.
What is the typical salary range?
Pay typically falls between $53,000 and $103,500 per year (25th to 75th percentile) depending on experience, location, industry, and organization size.
How does this compare with other Life, Physical, and Social Science roles?
The Life, Physical, and Social Science job family averages $100,500 across 66 roles tracked by WePayFairly.
Need a defensible market price for this role?
WePayFairly data is compiled from published survey sources and maintained by compensation professionals.
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