What Does it Take to Be a Market Research Analyst or Marketing Specialist?

Career Description Research market conditions in local, regional, or national areas, or gather information to determine potential sales of a product or service, or create a marketing campaign. May gather information on competitors, prices, sales, and methods of marketing and distribution.

Daily Life Of a Market Analyst

• Develop and implement procedures for identifying advertising needs.
• Gather data on competitors and analyze their prices, sales, and method of marketing and distribution.
• Devise and evaluate methods and procedures for collecting data, such as surveys, opinion polls, or questionnaires, or arrange to obtain existing data.
• Measure and assess customer and employee satisfaction.
• Direct trained survey interviewers.
• Conduct research on consumer opinions and marketing strategies, collaborating with marketing professionals, statisticians, pollsters, and other professionals.

What Skills Do You Need to Work as a Market Analyst?

Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists state the following job skills are important in their day-to-day work.

Writing: Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.

Reading Comprehension: Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.

Critical Thinking: Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.

Complex Problem Solving: Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.

Active Listening: Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.

Speaking: Talking to others to convey information effectively.

Related Job Titles for this Occupation:

• Client Service and Consulting Manager
• Market Researcher
• Trade Specialist
• Family Consumer Scientist
• Email Marketing Specialist

What Kind of Market Analyst Job Opportunities Are There?

In 2016, there was an estimated number of 595,400 jobs in the United States for Market Research Analyst or Marketing Specialist. New jobs are being produced at a rate of 23.2% which is above the national average. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts 138,300 new jobs for Market Research Analyst or Marketing Specialist by 2026. There will be an estimated 77,100 positions for Market Analyst per year.

The states with the most job growth for Market Analyst are Utah, Nevada, and Washington. Watch out if you plan on working in Alaska, Maryland, or Maine. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.

Do Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists Make A Lot Of Money?

The typical yearly salary for Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists is somewhere between $34,310 and $121,080.

Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists who work in Delaware, New Jersey, or New York, make the highest salaries.

Below is a list of the median annual salaries for Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists in different U.S. states.

State	Annual Mean Salary
Alabama	$59,980
Alaska	$69,880
Arizona	$62,930
Arkansas	$68,050
California	$78,090
Colorado	$73,460
Connecticut	$77,010
Delaware	$82,890
District of Columbia	$79,770
Florida	$64,730
Georgia	$67,080
Hawaii	$60,030
Idaho	$53,500
Illinois	$61,670
Indiana	$56,560
Iowa	$59,270
Kansas	$64,910
Kentucky	$58,190
Louisiana	$49,460
Maine	$68,670
Maryland	$67,900
Massachusetts	$74,510
Michigan	$67,500
Minnesota	$74,300
Mississippi	$45,530
Missouri	$65,360
Montana	$58,650
Nebraska	$54,390
Nevada	$59,090
New Hampshire	$68,010
New Jersey	$87,210
New Mexico	$57,010
New York	$77,230
North Carolina	$69,170
North Dakota	$52,870
Ohio	$65,920
Oklahoma	$59,600
Oregon	$72,170
Pennsylvania	$68,630
Rhode Island	$72,180
South Carolina	$60,290
South Dakota	$55,430
Tennessee	$60,990
Texas	$78,200
Utah	$57,660
Vermont	$63,290
Virginia	$75,050
Washington	$81,890
West Virginia	$45,760
Wisconsin	$57,710
Wyoming	$54,560

What Tools & Technology do Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists Use?

Below is a list of the types of tools and technologies that Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists may use on a daily basis:

• Microsoft Excel
• Microsoft Word
• Microsoft Office
• Hypertext markup language HTML
• JavaScript
• Microsoft PowerPoint
• Microsoft Outlook
• Web browser software
• Microsoft Access
• MySQL
• Data entry software
• Word processing software
• SAP
• Microsoft Project
• Adobe Systems Adobe Acrobat
• Microsoft Visio
• Microsoft SharePoint
• Adobe Systems Adobe Photoshop
• Structured query language SQL
• The MathWorks MATLAB

How do I Become a Market Analyst?

Are there Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists education requirements?

How Long Does it Take to Become a Market Analyst?

Where Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists Are Employed

The table below shows the approximate number of Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists employed by various industries.

You May Also Be Interested In…

Those interested in being a Market Research Analyst or Marketing Specialist may also be interested in:

• Management Analysts

Those who work as a Market Research Analyst or Marketing Specialist sometimes switch careers to one of these choices:

• Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Technical and Scientific Products
• Talent Directors
• Advertising and Promotions Managers
• Sales Agents, Securities and Commodities

References:

• Bureau of Labor Statistics
• College Factual
• O*NET Online

Image Credit: Nick Youngson via Creative Commons 3 - CC BY-SA 3.0

More about our data sources and methodologies.