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.
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:WritingSpeakingReading ComprehensionCritical ThinkingActive ListeningMathematics
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
$89,000
Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services
2,700 workers
$79,000
Educational Services
1,510 workers
$68,500
Scientific Research and Development Services
1,430 workers
$111,000
Federal, State, and Local Government, excluding State and Local Schools and Hospitals and USPS
870 workers
$80,000
Educational Services, State Government Owned
710 workers
$73,000
State Government, excluding Schools and Hospitals (OEWS Designation)
650 workers
$74,500
Religious, Grantmaking, Civic, Professional, and Similar Organizations
390 workers
$77,500
Social Advocacy Organizations
300 workers
$76,000
Administrative and Support Services
120 workers
$60,500
National 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
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.
Need Survey Researcher pay benchmarked for your organization, or defensible compensation analysis for a dispute or valuation? Grahall builds it from primary sources, backed by an expert who testifies.