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Market researcher : Salary and conditions

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  • Range of typical starting salaries: £18,000 - £25,000.
  • Range of typical salaries with three to five years' experience: £32,000 - £38,000. 
  • Range of typical salaries with significant experience: £45,000 - £100,000. It is worth noting that moving to self-employment is a popular career progression route and these figures represent only paid positions.
  • Some larger firms may offer additional benefits, such as a company car, profit-sharing schemes, medical insurance, gym membership and bonuses.
  • Working hours for in-house and researchers who use quantitative methods are generally nine to five, with occasional evening/weekend work required to meet project deadlines. In jobs that involve qualitative work, evening and weekend work is a common part of the role.
  • Although hours may be irregular, paid overtime is rare, but some organisations will offer time off in lieu.
  • In some organisations the work is mostly desk-based, though this depends on the specific role. Many market researchers travel nationally and occasionally internationally, to visit client organisations.
  • In some cases, more experienced marketing researchers may be expected to travel nationally and even internationally in order to undertake qualitative research.
  • Self-employment/freelance work is sometimes possible. Self-employment usually involves setting up a consultancy, usually after around ten years' experience and with good contacts, and is undertaken by a significant minority of researchers.
  • Short-term contracts are available via recruitment agencies, although these are generally for more senior market research posts.
  • Career breaks and secondments may be possible if working for larger organisations, and in particular if working client side.
  • Jobs have been widely available, though over the last year fewer posts have been advertised. There has always been competition for jobs in this area. Most opportunities with market research firms are in London and the South East of England. Client-side posts are generally available nationwide.
  • There is an approximate balance of men and women, though there tend to be more men in management roles.
  • This can be a fast-paced, pressurised role due to the tight deadlines, but it is also often challenging, varied and rewarding.
 
AGCAS
Written by Laura Dean, Leeds Metropolitan University
Date: 
December 2009
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