Survey Researchers Salary in the United States
The median annual wage for survey researchers in the U.S. is $69,460 ($33.40 per hour), according to the BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics program, May 2025 estimates.
- Median annual wage
- $69,460
- Mean annual wage
- $79,580
- Median hourly wage
- $33.40
- Employment
- 8,290
8,290 employed
Wage percentiles
| Percentile | Annual wage | Hourly wage |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $39,260 | $18.87 |
| 25th percentile | $51,270 | $24.65 |
| Median (50th) | $69,460 | $33.40 |
| 75th percentile | $99,760 | $47.96 |
| 90th percentile | $130,860 | $62.91 |
Highest-paying states for survey researchers
| State | Median annual wage | Employment |
|---|---|---|
| Minnesota | $104,220 | 340 |
| District of Columbia | $102,390 | 150 |
| Michigan | $101,550 | 150 |
| North Carolina | $96,560 | 350 |
| New Jersey | $95,580 | 100 |
| Wisconsin | $92,660 | 60 |
| Colorado | $89,870 | 110 |
| Connecticut | $88,320 | 110 |
| New York | $86,890 | 380 |
| Wyoming | $84,360 | 40 |
Lowest-paying states
- Texas: $47,330 median annual wage
- Maine: $47,330 median annual wage
- Georgia: $51,590 median annual wage
- Illinois: $54,080 median annual wage
- Oklahoma: $57,200 median annual wage
About this occupation
Plan, develop, or conduct surveys. May analyze and interpret the meaning of survey data, determine survey objectives, or suggest or test question wording. Includes social scientists who primarily design questionnaires or supervise survey teams.
Typical tasks
- Write proposals to win new projects.
- Analyze data from surveys, old records, or case studies, using statistical software.
- Monitor and evaluate survey progress and performance, using sample disposition reports and response rate calculations.
- Review, classify, and record survey data in preparation for computer analysis.
- Conduct surveys and collect data, using methods such as interviews, questionnaires, focus groups, market analysis surveys, public opinion polls, literature reviews, and file reviews.
- Produce documentation of the questionnaire development process, data collection methods, sampling designs, and decisions related to sample statistical weighting.
Education of the current workforce — typical entry: Master's degree
| Education level | Share of workers |
|---|---|
| Less than high school diploma | 0.2% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 2.9% |
| Some college, no degree | 4.8% |
| Associate's degree | 2.3% |
| Bachelor's degree | 31.1% |
| Master's degree | 39.2% |
| Doctoral or professional degree | 19.4% |
Occupation profile data from CareerOneStop, sponsored by the U.S. Department of Labor.
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About this data
- Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics — data period May 2025, retrieved August 13, 2026.
- Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics — data period May 2025, retrieved August 13, 2026.
- CareerOneStop Occupation Profiles — data period 2026-08, retrieved August 14, 2026.
Figures are shown exactly as published by the source or derived by the documented formulas on our methodology page. Where a source suppresses an estimate, we show “—” rather than a substitute value.