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Market Research Analyst

Job summary:.

The Market Research Analyst will research, compile, and analyze information on products and market conditions to identify potential new markets, sales opportunities, and the most effective methods of marketing specified products.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

Duties/responsibilities:.

• Identifies and defines the objective of an assigned marketing research project; determines the best methods to use to meet those objectives.
• Drafts questionnaires, polls, surveys, and other data collection resources.
• Researches and compiles data related to current product market, customer demographics and interest, and factors influencing product demand; analyzes results to identify ways of maximizing sales and market penetration of current products.
• Compiles data related to competitors products such as pricing, sales, and marketing or distribution methodology.
• Summarizes and analyzes data; makes recommendations related to research findings.
• Reports findings, complete with graphs illustrating data and written text explaining complex findings.
• Identifies potential new products or markets through research.
• Forecasts and tracks industry marketing and sales trends based on collected data.
• Delivers reports and presentations of findings to management and/or executive leadership.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Required Skills/Abilities:

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Superior research and analytical skills.
• Ability to translate complex concepts and methodologies into easily understood language.
• Proficient with Microsoft Office Suite or related software.

Education and Experience:

• Bachelors degree in Marketing Research, Statistics, Math, or related field required; MBA preferred.
• Some related experience preferred.

Physical Requirements:

• Prolonged periods sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
• Must be able to lift up to 15 pounds at times.

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Market Research Analyst

Market research analysts study consumer preferences, business conditions, and other factors to assess potential sales of a product or service. They help companies understand what products people want, who will buy them, and at what price.

Market research analysts typically do the following:

• Monitor and forecast marketing and sales trends
• Measure the effectiveness of marketing programs and strategies
• Devise and evaluate methods for collecting data, such as surveys, questionnaires, and opinion polls
• Gather data on consumers, competitors, and market conditions
• Analyze data using statistical software
• Convert data and findings into tables, graphs, and written reports
• Prepare reports and present results to clients and management

Market research analysts gather data and study other information to help a company promote its products or services. They gather data on consumer buying habits, demographics, needs, and preferences. They collect data and information using a variety of methods, such as focus groups, interviews, literature reviews, market analysis surveys, public opinion polls, and questionnaires.

Analysts help determine a company’s position in the marketplace by researching their competitors and studying their marketing methods, prices, and sales. Using this information, analysts may determine potential markets, product demand, and pricing. Their knowledge of the targeted consumer enables analysts to develop advertising brochures and commercials, product promotions, and sales plans.

Market research analysts evaluate data using statistical techniques and software. They must interpret what the data mean for their client, and they may forecast future trends. They often make charts, graphs, infographics, and other visual aids to present the results of their research.

Workers who design and conduct surveys that market research analysts use are survey researchers.

Market research analysts held about 792,500 jobs in 2021. The largest employers of market research analysts were as follows:

Because most industries use market research, these analysts are employed throughout the economy.

Market research analysts work individually or as part of a team, collecting, analyzing, and presenting data. For example, some analysts work with graphic designers and artists to create charts, graphs, and infographics summarizing their research and findings.

Work Schedules

Most market research analysts work full time during regular business hours.

Market research analysts typically need a bachelor’s degree. Some employers require or prefer that job candidates have a master’s degree. Strong research and analytical skills are essential.

Market research analysts typically need a bachelor's degree in market research or a related business, communications, or social science field.

Courses in statistics, research methods, and marketing are important for prospective analysts. Courses in communications and social sciences, such as economics or consumer behavior, are also helpful.

Some employers of market research analysts require or prefer a master’s degree. Several schools offer graduate programs in marketing research, but analysts may choose to complete a bachelor’s degree in another field, such as statistics and marketing, and earn a master’s degree in business administration (MBA). A master’s degree is often required for leadership positions or positions that perform more technical research.

Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations

Analysts may pursue certification, which is voluntary, to demonstrate a level of professional competency. The  Insights Association  offers several certifications for market research analysts, including the IPC Principal and the IPC Masters. Candidates qualify based on industry experience and passing an exam.

Other Experience

Completing an internship while in school may be helpful. Prospective analysts also may gain experience by volunteering for an organization and helping with market research or related projects.

Employers may prefer to hire candidates who have experience in other positions that require collecting and analyzing data or writing reports to summarize research. 

Market research analysts typically have an interest in the Thinking, Persuading and Organizing interest areas, according to the Holland Code framework. The Thinking interest area indicates a focus on researching, investigating, and increasing the understanding of natural laws. The Persuading interest area indicates a focus on influencing, motivating, and selling to other people. The Organizing interest area indicates a focus on working with information and processes to keep things arranged in orderly systems.

If you are not sure whether you have a Thinking or Persuading or Organizing interest which might fit with a career as a market research analyst, you can take a career test to measure your interests.

Market research analysts should also possess the following specific qualities:

Analytical skills. Market research analysts must be able to understand large amounts of data and information. 

Communication skills. Market research analysts need strong communication skills when gathering information, interpreting data, and presenting results to clients. 

Critical-thinking skills. Market research analysts must assess all available information to determine what marketing strategy would work best for a company.

Detail oriented. Market research analysts must be detail oriented because they often do precise data analysis.

The median annual wage for market research analysts was $63,920 in May 2021. The median wage is the wage at which half the workers in an occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $37,570, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $128,320.

In May 2021, the median annual wages for market research analysts in the top industries in which they worked were as follows:

Employment of market research analysts is projected to grow 19 percent from 2021 to 2031, much faster than the average for all occupations.

About 99,800 openings for market research analysts are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire. 

Employment growth will be driven by an increasing use of data and market research across many industries. These workers will be needed to help understand the needs and wants of customers, measure the effectiveness of marketing and business strategies, and identify the factors affecting product demand.

The increase in the collection and analyses of big data—extremely large sets of information, such as social media comments or online product reviews—can provide insight on consumer behaviors and preferences. Businesses will need market research analysts to conduct analyses of the data and information.

For more information about market research analysts, visit

Insights Association

For resources and information about qualitative research, visit

Qualitative Research Consultants Association  (QRCA)

Where does this information come from?

The career information above is taken from the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook . This excellent resource for occupational data is published by the U.S. Department of Labor every two years. Truity periodically updates our site with information from the BLS database.

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I am not sure if this career is right for me. How can I decide?

There are many excellent tools available that will allow you to measure your interests, profile your personality, and match these traits with appropriate careers. On this site, you can take the Career Personality Profiler assessment, the Holland Code assessment, or the Photo Career Quiz .

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What does a market research analyst do?

Would you make a good market research analyst? Take our career test and find your match with over 800 careers.

What is a Market Research Analyst?

A market research analyst specializes in studying market conditions to identify potential sales opportunities for a product or service. They collect and analyze data on consumers' preferences, buying habits, and economic trends to help companies make informed decisions about their products and marketing strategies.

Market research analysts employ a variety of techniques, including surveys, interviews, focus groups, and statistical analysis, to gather relevant data. By evaluating market trends and consumer behavior, they provide valuable insights to businesses, enabling them to understand their target audience better and anticipate changes in demand. These professionals play an important role in shaping marketing campaigns, product development, and overall business strategies, ensuring that companies stay competitive in the market.

What does a Market Research Analyst do?

Duties and Responsibilities Market research analysts play a vital role in helping companies understand market trends, consumer behavior, and competitive landscapes. Their duties and responsibilities encompass a wide range of tasks aimed at gathering and analyzing data to provide actionable insights for strategic decision-making. Here are the key duties and responsibilities of a market research analyst:

• Data Collection: Market research analysts collect data through various methods such as surveys, interviews, questionnaires, and focus groups. They may also use tools to gather data from social media, online platforms, and public records.
• Data Analysis: Analysts use statistical software and techniques to analyze collected data. They interpret numerical data and transform it into meaningful insights, identifying patterns, trends, and correlations.
• Market Trends Analysis: Analysts study market trends, including consumer preferences, buying behaviors, and economic indicators. They assess the potential demand for products or services, helping businesses anticipate market changes.
• Competitor Analysis: Market research analysts analyze competitors' strategies, products, and market positioning. They identify strengths and weaknesses, providing companies with a competitive advantage by understanding the market landscape.
• Consumer Behavior Research: Analysts delve into consumer motivations, perceptions, and preferences. They evaluate factors influencing purchasing decisions, allowing businesses to tailor their products and marketing strategies to target audiences effectively.
• Report Generation: Analysts prepare detailed reports and presentations summarizing research findings. These reports often include visualizations such as charts and graphs to communicate complex data in a clear and understandable manner.
• Strategic Recommendations: Based on their analyses, market research analysts provide strategic recommendations to businesses. They offer insights on product development, pricing strategies, marketing campaigns, and market entry or expansion plans.
• Client Consultation: In consultancy roles, market research analysts engage with clients to understand their research needs. They design research methodologies, present findings, and offer actionable insights tailored to specific client objectives.
• Industry Analysis: Analysts assess broader industry trends, regulations, and technological advancements. They evaluate how these factors impact the market and provide industry-specific insights to businesses operating within that sector.

Types of Market Research Analysts Market research analysts can specialize in various fields and industries, each requiring unique skills and expertise. Here are some common types of market research analysts based on their areas of specialization:

• Consumer Market Research Analysts: These analysts focus on understanding consumer behavior, preferences, and buying patterns. They conduct surveys, interviews, and observational studies to gather insights into consumers' attitudes toward products and services.
• Product Market Research Analysts: Product-focused analysts research specific products or services to assess market demand, pricing strategies, and potential improvements. They analyze existing products, evaluate competitors, and identify opportunities for product enhancements.
• Advertising and Marketing Research Analysts: Analysts in this category study the effectiveness of advertising and marketing campaigns. They assess consumer responses to advertisements, analyze market trends, and provide recommendations for optimizing marketing strategies.
• Social and Opinion Research Analysts: These analysts focus on public opinion and social issues. They conduct surveys and polls to gather data on public attitudes, political preferences, social behaviors, and cultural trends. Their findings are often used by governments, nonprofits, and advocacy groups.
• Financial Market Research Analysts: Financial analysts specializing in market research assess financial markets, stocks, bonds, commodities, and investment opportunities. They analyze market trends, economic indicators, and company financial statements to provide insights to investors and financial institutions.
• Healthcare Market Research Analysts: Analysts in the healthcare sector study market trends related to pharmaceuticals, medical devices, healthcare services, and patient preferences. They analyze healthcare data to assist pharmaceutical companies, hospitals, and healthcare providers in making strategic decisions.
• Technology Market Research Analysts: Technology analysts research trends in the technology industry, including software, hardware, and emerging technologies. They assess consumer demand, competitor products, and industry innovations to provide insights for technology companies.
• International Market Research Analysts: Analysts specializing in international markets assess global market trends, cultural differences, and regulatory environments. They provide insights to companies looking to expand their operations internationally, helping them adapt their products and marketing strategies to different regions.
• Environmental Market Research Analysts: These analysts study market trends related to environmental issues, sustainable products, and green technologies. They assess consumer attitudes toward eco-friendly products and help businesses develop environmentally conscious strategies.
• Real Estate Market Research Analysts: Analysts in this field study real estate market trends, property values, and consumer preferences. They analyze data related to housing markets, commercial real estate, and property development to assist real estate agencies, developers, and investors.

Are you suited to be a market research analyst?

Market research analysts have distinct personalities . They tend to be investigative individuals, which means they’re intellectual, introspective, and inquisitive. They are curious, methodical, rational, analytical, and logical. Some of them are also enterprising, meaning they’re adventurous, ambitious, assertive, extroverted, energetic, enthusiastic, confident, and optimistic.

Does this sound like you? Take our free career test to find out if market research analyst is one of your top career matches.

What is the workplace of a Market Research Analyst like?

The workplace of a market research analyst is diverse and can vary based on the industry, the specific focus of research, and the type of organization they work for. Market research analysts are employed in various sectors, including market research firms, advertising agencies, consulting companies, corporate organizations, government agencies, and non-profit organizations. Here's an overview of what the workplace environment for a market research analyst might entail:

Office Environment: Market research analysts typically spend a significant amount of time in office settings, especially during tasks related to data analysis, report generation, and client consultations. In these environments, they work with computers, utilizing specialized software for data analysis, statistical modeling, and creating visually appealing presentations. Offices are often equipped with the necessary tools and technology to conduct research, such as survey software, databases, and communication systems.

Client Meetings and Consultations: Market research analysts frequently engage with clients to understand their research needs and present findings. These meetings can occur both in the analyst's office and at the client's location. During these consultations, analysts discuss research methodologies, data collection strategies, and the interpretation of results. Effective communication skills are crucial as analysts need to convey complex data and insights in a clear and understandable manner.

Fieldwork and Data Collection: Depending on the nature of the research project, market research analysts might conduct fieldwork to gather primary data. This could involve organizing focus group discussions, conducting surveys, or interviewing respondents. Fieldwork allows analysts to interact directly with consumers or participants, providing valuable qualitative insights that complement quantitative data.

Collaboration and Teamwork: Market research projects often require collaboration among a team of researchers, data analysts, and sometimes specialists from other disciplines. Analysts work closely with colleagues to design research studies, collect and analyze data, and develop comprehensive reports. Teamwork is essential for brainstorming ideas, validating research methodologies, and ensuring the accuracy of findings.

Remote Work and Flexibility: In recent years, the workplace of market research analysts has increasingly embraced remote work options, allowing professionals to work from home or other locations. This flexibility is particularly beneficial during data analysis and report writing stages, where analysts can focus on tasks without the distractions of a busy office environment. Remote work also enables collaboration through virtual meetings and communication tools.

Travel: For market research analysts involved in projects that require on-site data collection or client meetings, travel might be a component of their work. Analysts may need to visit focus group locations, attend industry conferences, or meet with clients in different cities or countries.

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• Market Research Analysts: Jobs, Career, Salary and Education Information

Market Research Analysts

Career, salary and education information.

What They Do : Market research analysts study market conditions to examine potential sales of a product or service.

Work Environment : Because most industries use market research, these analysts are employed throughout the economy. Most analysts work full time during regular business hours. Some work under pressure of deadlines and tight schedules.

How to Become One : Most market research analysts need at least a bachelor’s degree. Some research positions may require a master’s degree. Strong math and analytical skills are essential.

Salary : The median annual wage for market research analysts is $63,920.

Job Outlook : Employment of market research analysts is projected to grow 19 percent over the next ten years, much faster than the average for all occupations.

Related Careers : Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of market research analysts with similar occupations.

Following is everything you need to know about a career as a market research analyst with lots of details. As a first step, take a look at some of the following jobs, which are real jobs with real employers. You will be able to see the very real job career requirements for employers who are actively hiring. The link will open in a new tab so that you can come back to this page to continue reading about the career:

Top 3 Market Research Analyst Jobs

Position Overview · The market research analyst is responsible for initial drafting of questionnaires, analysis of data and report writing, and will work with the senior analysts to finalize ...

Our Senior Research Analyst opportunity As a Senior Research Analyst , you will be hands on / take the lead on running market research projects, involving client liaison and project management from ...

Track competitive market data (infrastructure changes and large events). * Support the adoption of ... Work with the Director of Research to accomplish departmental goals including the support of ...

See all Market Research Analyst jobs

What Market Research Analysts Do [ About this section ] [ To Top ]

Market research analysts study market conditions to examine potential sales of a product or service. They help companies understand what products people want, who will buy them, and at what price.

Duties of Market Research Analysts

Market research analysts typically do the following:

• Monitor and forecast marketing and sales trends
• Measure the effectiveness of marketing programs and strategies
• Devise and evaluate methods for collecting data, such as surveys, questionnaires, and opinion polls
• Gather data on consumers, competitors, and market conditions
• Analyze data using statistical software
• Convert complex data and findings into understandable tables, graphs, and written reports
• Prepare reports and present results to clients and management

Market research analysts research and gather data to help a company market its products or services. They gather data on consumer demographics, preferences, needs, and buying habits. They collect data and information using a variety of methods, such as interviews, questionnaires, focus groups, market analysis surveys, public opinion polls, and literature reviews.

Analysts help determine a company's position in the marketplace by researching their competitors and analyzing their prices, sales, and marketing methods. Using this information, they may determine potential markets, product demand, and pricing. Their knowledge of the targeted consumer enables them to develop advertising brochures and commercials, sales plans, and product promotions.

Market research analysts evaluate data using statistical techniques and software. They must interpret what the data mean for their client, and they may forecast future trends. They often make charts, graphs, infographics, and other visual aids to present the results of their research.

Workers who design and conduct surveys are known as survey researchers .

Work Environment for Market Research Analysts [ About this section ] [ To Top ]

Market research analysts hold about 792,500 jobs. The largest employers of market research analysts are as follows:

Because most industries use market research, these analysts are employed throughout the economy.

Market research analysts can work individually or as part of a team, collecting, analyzing, and presenting data. For example, some analysts may work with graphic designers and artists to create charts, graphs, and infographics summarizing the research and findings.

Market Research Analyst Work Schedules

Most market research analysts work full time during regular business hours. Some, however, work under pressure of deadlines and tight schedules, which may require additional hours of work.

How to Become a Market Research Analyst [ About this section ] [ To Top ]

Get the education you need: Find schools for Market Research Analysts near you!

Most market research analysts need at least a bachelor's degree. Some research positions may require a master's degree. Strong math and analytical skills are essential.

Education for Market Research Analysts

Market research analysts typically need a bachelor's degree in market research or a related field. Many have degrees in fields such as statistics, math, or computer science. Others have backgrounds in business administration, the social sciences, or communications.

Courses in statistics, research methods, and marketing are essential for these workers. Courses in communications and social sciences, such as economics or consumer behavior, are also important.

Some market research analyst jobs require a master's degree. Several schools offer graduate programs in marketing research, but many analysts complete degrees in other fields, such as statistics and marketing, and/or earn a master's degree in business administration (MBA). A master's degree is often required for leadership positions or positions that perform more technical research.

Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations for Market Research Analysts

Certification is voluntary, but analysts may pursue certification to demonstrate a level of professional competency. The Marketing Research Association offers the Professional Researcher Certification (PRC) for market research analysts. Candidates qualify on the basis of experience and knowledge; they must pass an exam, have at least 3 years working in opinion and marketing research, and complete 12 hours of industry-related education courses. Individuals must complete 20 hours of industry-related continuing education courses every 2 years to renew their certification.

Important Qualities for Market Research Analysts

Analytical skills. Market research analysts must be able to understand large amounts of data and information.

Communication skills. Market research analysts need strong communication skills when gathering information, interpreting data, and presenting results to clients.

Critical-thinking skills. To determine what marketing strategy would work best for a company, market research analysts must assess all available information.

Detail oriented. Market research analysts must be detail oriented because they often do precise data analysis.

Market Research Analyst Salaries [ About this section ] [ More salary/earnings info ] [ To Top ]

The median annual wage for market research analysts is $63,920. The median wage is the wage at which half the workers in an occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $37,570, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $128,320.

The median annual wages for market research analysts in the top industries in which they work are as follows:

Job Outlook for Market Research Analysts [ About this section ] [ To Top ]

Employment of market research analysts is projected to grow 19 percent over the next ten years, much faster than the average for all occupations.

About 99,800 openings for market research analysts are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.

Employment of Market Research Analysts

Employment growth will be driven by an increasing use of data and market research across many industries. They will be needed to help understand the needs and wants of customers, measure the effectiveness of marketing and business strategies, and identify the factors affecting product demand.

The increase in the collection and analyses of big data—extremely large sets of information, such as social media comments or online product reviews—can provide insight on consumer behaviors and preferences. Businesses will need market research analysts to conduct analyses of the data and information.

Careers Related to Market Research Analysts [ About this section ] [ To Top ]

Advertising, promotions, and marketing managers.

Advertising, promotions, and marketing managers plan programs to generate interest in products or services. They work with art directors, sales agents, and financial staff members.

Cost Estimators

Cost estimators collect and analyze data in order to estimate the time, money, materials, and labor required to manufacture a product, construct a building, or provide a service. They generally specialize in a particular product or industry.

Data Scientists

Data scientists use analytical tools and techniques to extract meaningful insights from data.

Economists study the production and distribution of resources, goods, and services by collecting and analyzing data, researching trends, and evaluating economic issues.

Mathematicians and Statisticians

Mathematicians and statisticians analyze data and apply mathematical and statistical techniques to help solve real-world problems in business, engineering, healthcare, or other fields.

Operations Research Analysts

Operations research analysts use advanced mathematical and analytical methods to help organizations investigate complex issues, identify and solve problems, and make better decisions.

Public Relations Specialists

Public relations specialists create and maintain a favorable public image for the organization they represent. They craft media releases and develop social media programs to shape public perception of their organization and to increase awareness of its work and goals.

Survey Researchers

Survey researchers design and conduct surveys and analyze data. Surveys are used to collect factual data, such as employment and salary information, or to ask questions in order to understand people's opinions, preferences, beliefs, or desires.

More Market Research Analyst Information [ About this section ] [ To Top ]

For more information about market research analysts, visit

Insights Association

A portion of the information on this page is used by permission of the U.S. Department of Labor.

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Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists 13-1161.00 Bright Outlook Updated 2024

Research conditions in local, regional, national, or online markets. Gather information to determine potential sales of a product or service, or plan a marketing or advertising campaign. May gather information on competitors, prices, sales, and methods of marketing and distribution. May employ search marketing tactics, analyze web metrics, and develop recommendations to increase search engine ranking and visibility to target markets.

Sample of reported job titles: Business Development Specialist, Communications Specialist, Demographic Analyst, Market Analyst, Market Research Analyst, Market Research Consultant, Market Research Specialist, Market Researcher

Also see: Search Marketing Strategists

See the easy-read overview for Market Research Analysts & Marketing Specialists at My Next Move

See the easy-read overview for market research analysts & marketing specialists at my next move for veterans, ver la perspectiva general fácil de leer para analistas de investigación de mercado y especialistas en mercadeo en mi próximo paso, occupation-specific information, technology skills, occupational requirements, work activities, detailed work activities, work context, experience requirements, training & credentials.

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• Monitor business indicators. Related occupations
• Discuss business strategies, practices, or policies with managers. Related occupations
• Supervise employees. Related occupations
• Develop business or market strategies. Related occupations
• Electronic Mail — 100% responded “Every day.” Related occupations
• Spend Time Sitting — 65% responded “Continually or almost continually.” Related occupations
• Telephone — 70% responded “Every day.” Related occupations
• Freedom to Make Decisions — 57% responded “A lot of freedom.” Related occupations
• Importance of Being Exact or Accurate — 57% responded “Extremely important.” Related occupations
• Duration of Typical Work Week — 70% responded “More than 40 hours.” Related occupations
• Structured versus Unstructured Work — 43% responded “A lot of freedom.” Related occupations
• Contact With Others — 43% responded “Constant contact with others.” Related occupations
• Face-to-Face Discussions — 52% responded “Every day.” Related occupations
• Indoors, Environmentally Controlled — 61% responded “Every day.” Related occupations
• Time Pressure — 43% responded “Once a week or more but not every day.” Related occupations
• Work With Work Group or Team — 43% responded “Very important.” Related occupations
• Letters and Memos — 39% responded “Every day.” Related occupations
• Impact of Decisions on Co-workers or Company Results — 39% responded “Important results.” Related occupations
• Deal With External Customers — 30% responded “Extremely important.” Related occupations
• Coordinate or Lead Others — 35% responded “Very important.” Related occupations
• Frequency of Decision Making — 36% responded “Once a month or more but not every week.” Related occupations
• Level of Competition — 35% responded “Moderately competitive.” Related occupations
• Responsibility for Outcomes and Results — 35% responded “Limited responsibility.” Related occupations

Apprenticeship Opportunities

Example apprenticeship titles for this occupation:

• Government Business Development Specialist

Specific title(s) listed above are vetted by industry and approved by the U.S. Department of Labor for use in a Registered Apprenticeship Program.

• Critical Thinking — Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems. Related occupations
• Reading Comprehension — Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents. Related occupations
• Writing — Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience. Related occupations
• 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. Related occupations
• Complex Problem Solving — Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions. Related occupations
• Speaking — Talking to others to convey information effectively. Related occupations
• Judgment and Decision Making — Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one. Related occupations
• Active Learning — Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making. Related occupations
• Mathematics — Using mathematics to solve problems. Related occupations
• Monitoring — Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action. Related occupations
• Persuasion — Persuading others to change their minds or behavior. Related occupations
• Social Perceptiveness — Being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do. Related occupations
• Systems Analysis — Determining how a system should work and how changes in conditions, operations, and the environment will affect outcomes. Related occupations
• Systems Evaluation — Identifying measures or indicators of system performance and the actions needed to improve or correct performance, relative to the goals of the system. Related occupations
• Coordination — Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions. Related occupations
• Learning Strategies — Selecting and using training/instructional methods and procedures appropriate for the situation when learning or teaching new things. Related occupations
• Time Management — Managing one's own time and the time of others. Related occupations
• English Language — Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar. Related occupations
• Customer and Personal Service — Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction. Related occupations
• Sales and Marketing — Knowledge of principles and methods for showing, promoting, and selling products or services. This includes marketing strategy and tactics, product demonstration, sales techniques, and sales control systems. Related occupations
• Mathematics — Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications. Related occupations
• Administration and Management — Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources. Related occupations
• Communications and Media — Knowledge of media production, communication, and dissemination techniques and methods. This includes alternative ways to inform and entertain via written, oral, and visual media. Related occupations
• Administrative — Knowledge of administrative and office procedures and systems such as word processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and workplace terminology. Related occupations
• Computers and Electronics — Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming. Related occupations
• Sociology and Anthropology — Knowledge of group behavior and dynamics, societal trends and influences, human migrations, ethnicity, cultures, and their history and origins. Related occupations
• Psychology — Knowledge of human behavior and performance; individual differences in ability, personality, and interests; learning and motivation; psychological research methods; and the assessment and treatment of behavioral and affective disorders. Related occupations
• Economics and Accounting — Knowledge of economic and accounting principles and practices, the financial markets, banking, and the analysis and reporting of financial data. Related occupations

How much education does a new hire need to perform a job in this occupation? Respondents said:

• 57%   responded: Bachelor’s degree required
• 39%   responded: Master’s degree required
• 4%   responded: Post-baccalaureate certificate required more info
• Inductive Reasoning — The ability to combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions (includes finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events). Related occupations
• Deductive Reasoning — The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense. Related occupations
• Fluency of Ideas — The ability to come up with a number of ideas about a topic (the number of ideas is important, not their quality, correctness, or creativity). Related occupations
• Oral Comprehension — The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences. Related occupations
• Oral Expression — The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand. Related occupations
• Written Comprehension — The ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing. Related occupations
• Written Expression — The ability to communicate information and ideas in writing so others will understand. Related occupations
• Information Ordering — The ability to arrange things or actions in a certain order or pattern according to a specific rule or set of rules (e.g., patterns of numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations). Related occupations
• Category Flexibility — The ability to generate or use different sets of rules for combining or grouping things in different ways. Related occupations
• Speech Clarity — The ability to speak clearly so others can understand you. Related occupations
• Near Vision — The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer). Related occupations
• Problem Sensitivity — The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing that there is a problem. Related occupations
• Mathematical Reasoning — The ability to choose the right mathematical methods or formulas to solve a problem. Related occupations
• Originality — The ability to come up with unusual or clever ideas about a given topic or situation, or to develop creative ways to solve a problem. Related occupations
• Speech Recognition — The ability to identify and understand the speech of another person. Related occupations
• Number Facility — The ability to add, subtract, multiply, or divide quickly and correctly. Related occupations
• Flexibility of Closure — The ability to identify or detect a known pattern (a figure, object, word, or sound) that is hidden in other distracting material. Related occupations
• Enterprising — Work involves managing, negotiating, marketing, or selling, typically in a business setting, or leading or advising people in political and legal situations. Enterprising occupations are often associated with business initiatives, sales, marketing/advertising, finance, management/administration, professional advising, public speaking, politics, or law. Related occupations
• Conventional — Work involves following procedures and regulations to organize information or data, typically in a business setting. Conventional occupations are often associated with office work, accounting, mathematics/statistics, information technology, finance, or human resources. Related occupations
• Investigative — Work involves studying and researching non-living objects, living organisms, disease or other forms of impairment, or human behavior. Investigative occupations are often associated with physical, life, medical, or social sciences, and can be found in the fields of humanities, mathematics/statistics, information technology, or health care service. Related occupations
• Achievement — Occupations that satisfy this work value are results oriented and allow employees to use their strongest abilities, giving them a feeling of accomplishment. Corresponding needs are Ability Utilization and Achievement. Related occupations
• Working Conditions — Occupations that satisfy this work value offer job security and good working conditions. Corresponding needs are Activity, Compensation, Independence, Security, Variety and Working Conditions. Related occupations
• Support — Occupations that satisfy this work value offer supportive management that stands behind employees. Corresponding needs are Company Policies, Supervision: Human Relations and Supervision: Technical. Related occupations
• Analytical Thinking — Job requires analyzing information and using logic to address work-related issues and problems. Related occupations
• Attention to Detail — Job requires being careful about detail and thorough in completing work tasks. Related occupations
• Dependability — Job requires being reliable, responsible, and dependable, and fulfilling obligations. Related occupations
• Integrity — Job requires being honest and ethical. Related occupations
• Initiative — Job requires a willingness to take on responsibilities and challenges. Related occupations
• Adaptability/Flexibility — Job requires being open to change (positive or negative) and to considerable variety in the workplace. Related occupations
• Persistence — Job requires persistence in the face of obstacles. Related occupations
• Cooperation — Job requires being pleasant with others on the job and displaying a good-natured, cooperative attitude. Related occupations
• Independence — Job requires developing one's own ways of doing things, guiding oneself with little or no supervision, and depending on oneself to get things done. Related occupations
• Achievement/Effort — Job requires establishing and maintaining personally challenging achievement goals and exerting effort toward mastering tasks. Related occupations
• Stress Tolerance — Job requires accepting criticism and dealing calmly and effectively with high-stress situations. Related occupations
• Innovation — Job requires creativity and alternative thinking to develop new ideas for and answers to work-related problems. Related occupations
• Leadership — Job requires a willingness to lead, take charge, and offer opinions and direction. Related occupations
• Self-Control — Job requires maintaining composure, keeping emotions in check, controlling anger, and avoiding aggressive behavior, even in very difficult situations. Related occupations
• Concern for Others — Job requires being sensitive to others' needs and feelings and being understanding and helpful on the job. Related occupations

Wages & Employment Trends

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics 2023 wage data external site and 2022-2032 employment projections external site . “Projected growth” represents the estimated change in total employment over the projections period (2022-2032). “Projected job openings” represent openings due to growth and replacement.

Job Openings on the Web

• 11-2011.00 Advertising and Promotions Managers
• 41-3011.00 Advertising Sales Agents
• 11-2022.00 Sales Managers

Disclaimer: Sources are listed to provide additional information on related jobs, specialties, and/or industries. Links to non-DOL Internet sites are provided for your convenience and do not constitute an endorsement.

Actively assisted with the O*NET data collection, helping to identify occupational experts who can be surveyed about their work in the occupation.

• American Association for Public Opinion Research external site
• American Bankers Association external site
• American Marketing Association external site
• Association of Independent Information Professionals external site
• ESOMAR external site
• Insights Association external site
• News Media Alliance external site
• Qualitative Research Consultants Association external site
• Special Libraries Association external site
• Strategic and Competitive Intelligence Professionals external site
• The Advertising Research Foundation external site

CAREER PATHWAYS

Looking for the perfect job? Explore our Career Guides!

How to Become a Market Research Analyst

By Alyciah Beavers

Published: March 19, 2024

In today’s ever-evolving business landscape, organizations strive to make informed decisions that will propel them toward success, and this is where a market research analyst role is crucial. The career suits anyone who wants to become a master of data, a sleuth of consumer behavior, and a guardian of market insights. Read on to understand what is a market research analyst and if this career might be the right choice for you.

Career Summary

Market research analyst salary.

Here is a general trajectory of market research analyst salary, according to Glassdoor.com :

• Entry Salary (US$56k)
• Median Salary (US$71k)
• Executive Salary (US$100k)

To put this into perspective, the annual average wage for all occupations in the US is $61,900 . This means that, based on your level, you can make some excellent cash as a market research analyst.

Market Research Analyst Job Description

So, what does a market research analyst do? A market research analyst collects, analyzes, and interprets data to provide insights and recommendations on market trends and consumer behavior to a business . Their main objective is to help businesses make informed decisions regarding their products, services, and marketing strategies. Additionally, a market research analyst conducts market analysis and assists companies in understanding the products people want and how to price them.

Market Research Analyst Career Progression

• Entry-Level Analyst: It is the starting point for most market research analysts. At this stage, your roles involve assisting more senior analysts in conducting research, collecting data, and analyzing market trends. Your role also entails preparing reports and presentations.
• Research Analyst: You have more independence and take on greater responsibility for designing research methodologies, managing data collection, and conducting analysis.
• Senior Analyst: You have a deeper understanding of market research methodologies, advanced analytical techniques, and industry-specific knowledge.
• Supervisor: Here, your role involves overseeing multiple research projects, managing a team of analysts, and contributing to high-level decision-making. You are responsible for resource allocation, project planning, and client management.
• Head of Market Research: You are responsible for shaping the overall research strategy, guiding the research team, and collaborating with senior executives to align research efforts with business goals. You are also involved in budgeting, business development, and fostering relationships with clients and stakeholders.

• It simulates intellectual intelligence, where you develop your critical and problem-solving skills.
• It gives you the proper industry exposure since you work with clients from diverse industries.
• The career offers continuous learning opportunities since market research is a rapidly evolving field.
• As a marketing analyst, you can comfortably tackle complex business problems.
• It offers a collaborative environment where you work as a team with other people, such as marketing professionals, statisticians, data scientists, and business executives.
• Some tasks are monotonous as they involve collecting and analyzing large amounts of data, which can sometimes be tedious.
• Market research often operates on tight deadlines, requiring analysts to work under pressure to meet project timelines.
• At times there is limited creativity, whereby some analysts may feel constrained when developing innovative solutions or exploring unconventional approaches.
• The industry is competitive, so analysts need to stay updated constantly on the trends and consumer behaviors.
• There is a lot of data overload, which is overwhelming and challenging to navigate.

Useful Skills to Have As a Market Research Analyst

As a market research analyst, several useful skills can enhance your abilities and contribute to your success in the field, including:

• Research and Analytical Skills
• Data Interpretation and Statistical Analysis
• Critical Thinking Skills
• Strong Communication Skills
• Problem-Solving Abilities
• Technological Proficiency

Popular Market Research Analyst Specialties

Market research analysts specialize in various areas depending on the industry and the specific needs of their clients or employers.

There are some popular specialties within the field of market research analysis:

• Consumer Behavior
• Market Segmentation
• Competitive Analysis
• Brand Research
• Product Development
• Market Trend Analysis

How to become a Market Research Analyst

The right way to become a market research analyst is through education, relevant work experience, and specific skills. While the exact path can vary depending on individual circumstances, here are some common steps to help you pursue a career in market research analysis.

Obtain a Degree in a Relevant Field

Do i need a degree to become a market research analyst.

While having a degree is not always a strict requirement to become a market research analyst, it can significantly enhance your prospects and competitiveness in the job market. Many employers prefer candidates with a bachelor’s degree, particularly in fields such as market research, business administration, statistics, economics, or social sciences .

Why Is It Important to Get A Degree In Market Research or a Related Field?

While it’s not always a strict requirement, obtaining a degree offers numerous advantages. A relevant degree equips you with the foundational knowledge and analytical skills necessary for market research analysis, as well as the skills to analyze complex data sets, use statistical tools and software, and derive meaningful conclusions.

A degree program can provide a comprehensive understanding of research methodologies, statistical analysis, consumer behavior, data interpretation, and marketing principles. These skills are essential for conducting adequate market research and making informed decisions based on the collected data.

Furthermore, some employers may specifically request a degree or prefer candidates with higher qualifications for specific positions or in highly competitive job markets.

Additionally, having a degree can serve as evidence of your commitment, discipline, and ability to acquire and apply knowledge, which can be valuable to potential employers.

How Long Does It Take To Get A Degree?

The duration of a degree program in market research analysis can vary depending on several factors, including the degree level and the educational institution’s structure:

• Associate’s Degree: An associate’s degree generally takes around two years to complete . This program provides a foundational understanding of market research principles and techniques.
• Bachelor’s Degree: A bachelor’s degree typically requires four years of full-time study . Students delve deeper into market research methodologies, data analysis, and related business courses during this program.
• Master’s Degree: Pursuing a master’s degree in market research takes two years beyond the bachelor’s degree . This program focuses on advanced research techniques, data analysis, consumer behavior, and marketing strategy.
• Doctoral Degree: A Ph.D. or doctoral degree in market research analysis can take an additional four to six years of study beyond the master’s degree . The programs emphasize research, theory development, and advanced methodologies. These degrees are more suited for individuals interested in academic or research-oriented careers.

How Much Does It Cost to Study Market Research Analysis at University?

The cost of studying market research analysis at a university can vary widely depending on factors such as the country, the specific university, the level of study, undergraduate or postgraduate. Additionally, tuition fees can change over time, so it’s essential to check with the specific university or college for the most accurate and up-to-date information. Here is a breakdown as of 2022:

• Undergraduate marketing research program tuition for an in-state student is US$12,020, while an out-of-state student pays US$28,345.
• A graduate market research in-state student pays US$13,864, while an out-of-state student pays US$24,560.

Can I become a Market Research Analyst Through Online Education?

Yes, online education makes it possible to become a market research analyst . The web offers numerous resources and programs in multiple fields, including market research, with flexible learning hours.

Look for accredited online courses, certificate programs , or degree programs in market research, marketing, business, statistics, or related fields. Ensure that the program you choose is from a reputable institution.

Gain Practical Experience

Practical experience complements theoretical knowledge and helps you demonstrate your skills and abilities to potential employers. Seeking opportunities to apply your knowledge and skills in realistic settings and continuously striving to expand your expertise through hands-on experience in market research is the only way to go. Some ways involve volunteering and interning in different corporations to gain hands-on experience.

What are Internship Opportunities for A Market Research Analyst?

As a market research analyst, several internship opportunities are available to gain practical experience and develop your skills.

Here are some potential avenues to explore:

• Market Research Firms: Many market research companies offer internship programs tailored explicitly for aspiring analysts. These firms research for various clients and industries, exposing interns to multiple projects and methodologies.
• Corporate Internships: Numerous companies, especially larger ones, have in-house market research departments. These organizations often offer internships to support their research activities, allowing you to work directly with their marketing teams and gain industry-specific insights.
• Advertising and Marketing Agencies: Advertising and marketing agencies frequently require market research to inform their strategies and campaigns. Interning with such agencies can expose you to diverse projects and clients, enhancing your understanding of how research drives marketing decisions.
• Technology Companies: Tech companies, particularly those involved in data analytics and consumer insights, often offer internships for market research analysts. These opportunities can provide exposure to innovative tools, techniques, and datasets, allowing you to develop skills in the intersection of technology and market research.
• Consulting Firms: Consulting firms may have market research divisions or projects to which interns can contribute. These firms work with clients to provide strategic advice; market research is critical to their decision-making processes.
• Government Agencies: Government agencies often conduct market research to inform policy decisions, public campaigns, and program evaluations. Interning with a government agency can provide insights into the unique challenges and considerations of conducting research within the public sector.

To find internship opportunities , consider exploring online job boards, company websites, and professional networking platforms and contacting your university’s career services department. Networking with professionals in the field, attending industry events, and joining relevant market research associations or groups can also help you discover internship opportunities.

What Skills Will I Learn As A Market Research Analyst?

As a market research analyst, you will develop various skills to effectively gather, analyze, and interpret data to support business decision-making.

Here are some essential skills you can expect to learn and enhance in this role:

• Research Design: You will learn how to design research studies and formulate appropriate research questions and objectives.
• Data Collection: You will acquire skills in collecting data through surveys, interviews, focus groups, and observational studies. This includes developing questionnaires, conducting interviews, and managing data collection processes.
• Data Analysis: You will gain proficiency in analyzing data using statistical techniques, data visualization tools, and software packages like Excel, SPSS , or R . This involves interpreting quantitative and qualitative data, identifying patterns and trends, and drawing meaningful insights.
• Market Analysis: You will learn to assess market trends, customer behavior, and competitive landscapes. This includes conducting competitor analyses, market segmentation, and identifying target markets.
• Report Writing: You will develop strong written communication skills to effectively communicate research findings and insights through reports, presentations, and visualizations. This involves summarizing complex data into clear and actionable recommendations.
• Critical Thinking: You will enhance your ability to think critically and analytically, evaluate research methodologies, assess data quality, and identify potential biases or limitations in research findings.
• Problem-Solving: As a market research analyst, you will learn to identify business problems, formulate research objectives, and develop strategic solutions based on data-driven insights.
• Collaboration: You will develop teamwork and collaboration skills, as market research often involves working with cross-functional teams, stakeholders, and clients to understand their needs and deliver actionable results.
• Technology and Tools: You will become proficient in utilizing market research tools, software, and technologies to enhance data collection, analysis, and reporting. This may include data analytics platforms, survey software, CRM systems , and visualization tools.
• Industry Knowledge: You will gain deep knowledge and understanding of the industry or market you are researching, including key trends, regulations, and emerging opportunities.

What are Some Web Resources to Learn Skills to Become a Market Research Analyst?

Several web resources can help you acquire the necessary knowledge and skills.

Here are some useful platforms and websites you can explore:

• MarketResearch.com : This website offers various market research reports and articles covering multiple industries. It can help you understand different research methodologies, industry trends, and analysis techniques.
• GreenBook : GreenBook provides a platform for market research professionals and offers industry news, reports, webinars, and online resources. It covers topics such as research techniques, data analysis, and emerging trends in the field.
• American Marketing Association (AMA) : The AMA website provides valuable resources and tools for marketers, including market research-related content. It offers articles, white papers, webinars, and events that enhance your understanding of market research concepts and practices.
• Research Association (ESOMAR) : ESOMAR is a global association for market, opinion, and social research professionals. Their website offers a comprehensive library of resources, including industry reports, webinars, and guidelines for conducting market research.
• Quirks : Quirks is a website that offers market research articles, case studies, and industry news. It covers various topics like survey design, data analysis, and emerging methodologies. They also have a directory of market research vendors and services.
• Research World : Research World is an online publication covering recent trends and developments in the market research industry. It provides articles, case studies, and insights from industry experts, which can be valuable for learning and staying updated.

Obtain Certifications

Consider pursuing additional certifications or courses in market research, data analysis, or relevant areas to enhance your knowledge and marketability.  While there is no single universal certification for market research analysts, several reputable organizations offer certifications that can enhance your credentials.

Some popular certifications include:  

• Certified Market Research Professional (CMRP) : This is a widely recognized certification that demonstrates a market research analyst’s expertise in research methodologies, ethics, and data analysis. It signifies a commitment to high professional standards and best practices in the field. Earning the CMRP can enhance your credibility, increase your chances of landing job opportunities, and potentially lead to higher earning potential.
• Professional Researcher Certification (PRC) : The PRC certification validates a market researcher’s knowledge, skills, and ethical practices. It covers a broad range of market research topics, including research design, data collection, analysis, and reporting. Holding the PRC designation demonstrates your commitment to professional excellence and adherence to industry standards.
• Google Analytics Individual Qualification (GAIQ) : While not specific to market research, the GAIQ certification is highly relevant for market research analysts who deal with website data and analytics. It showcases proficiency in using Google Analytics, a widely used tool for analyzing website traffic and user behavior. GAIQ certification can be valuable in demonstrating your ability to interpret web data, track consumer interactions, and optimize online marketing strategies.

It’s important to note that, to take the exam and become certified, you must meet eligibility requirements. Some might require a bachelor’s degree in a relevant field such as marketing, business, or statistics and a specific number of years of experience working in market research or a related area.

What’s the Career Outlook for Market Research Analysts?

As of 2021, the career outlook for market research analysts is generally positive, and the field will continue to experience steady growth. Researchers estimate that there will be a 19% growth from 2021 to 2031, which is way faster than any other occupation.

However, please note that economic and industry trends can change over time, so it’s always a good idea to consult up-to-date sources and labor market data for the most accurate information.

Some of the factors contributing to the positive career outlook for market research analysts include:

• Increasing Demand: With the rise of technology and data-driven decision-making, there is a growing need for skilled professionals who can interpret and analyze market data. Businesses across various industries rely on market research to gain a competitive edge, expand their customer base, and identify new market opportunities.
• Globalization and International Markets: As companies expand their operations globally, understanding diverse markets and consumer behaviors becomes crucial. Market research analysts with expertise in international markets and cultural nuances can offer valuable insights and are in high demand.
• Emphasis on Data-Driven Decision-Making: Organizations increasingly rely on data to drive their strategies in today’s data-driven business landscape. Companies seek market research analysts who can effectively collect, analyze, and interpret data using advanced analytical tools and techniques.
• Technological Advancements: Advancements in technology, such as big data analytics, artificial intelligence, and machine learning, are revolutionizing the field of market research. Professionals who can adapt to these technological changes and utilize them to extract actionable insights will likely have strong career prospects.

What Are The Job Opportunities Of A Market Research Analyst?

Market research analysts have a wide range of job opportunities across various industries. Their primary responsibility is to gather and analyze data to help organizations make informed business decisions.

Luckily, there are many other job opportunities within the field of market research analysis that a market research analyst can do:

• Market Research Analyst: This is the primary role of a market research analyst where they collect and analyze data to identify market trends, consumer behavior, and competitive landscape. They design surveys, conduct interviews, and use statistical techniques to interpret the data and generate actionable insights for decision-making.
• Market Intelligence Specialist: In this role, you would focus on gathering and analyzing data related to the industry, competitors, and market conditions. You would monitor market trends, track competitor activities, and provide strategic recommendations to support business development, product positioning, and market entry strategies.
• Consumer Insights Analyst: As a consumer insights analyst, you would delve into understanding consumer behavior, preferences, and attitudes. You would employ various research methods such as surveys, focus groups, and interviews to gather data and then analyze it to uncover consumer insights. These insights help companies develop effective marketing strategies and refine product offerings.
• Data Analyst : Data analysis is an essential aspect of market research, and as a data analyst, you would specialize in processing, organizing, and interpreting large datasets. You would use statistical techniques, data mining, and visualization tools to extract meaningful patterns and trends. Your findings would assist in making informed business decisions and optimizing marketing campaigns.
• Market Research Consultant: In a consulting role, you would work with clients from different industries to provide expert market research guidance. You would conduct comprehensive market studies, assess competitive landscapes, and deliver strategic recommendations based on your analysis. Consultants often work on a project basis and collaborate closely with clients to address specific business challenges.
• Brand Strategist: Brand strategists combine market research insights with creative thinking to develop and implement effective branding strategies. You would analyze consumer perceptions, market positioning, and competitive landscape to define brand identities, messaging, and marketing campaigns that resonate with target audiences.

What Type Of Companies Hire A Market Research Analyst?

Market research analysts are in demand across various industries and sectors.

Some of the companies that hire market research analysts include:

• Market Research Firms: These specialized firms conduct market research for clients across different industries.
• Consumer Goods Companies: Companies that produce and sell consumer goods often employ market research analysts to gather insights on consumer preferences, market trends, and product performance.
• Technology Companies: Technology companies, especially those involved in software development, electronics, and telecommunications, rely on market research analysts to understand customer needs, evaluate competition, and assess market potential.
• Healthcare and Pharmaceutical Companies: These companies require market research analysts to study patient demographics, evaluate the efficacy of drugs, analyze healthcare trends, and assess market opportunities.
• Financial Institutions: Banks, insurance companies, and investment firms hire market research analysts to analyze market trends, identify investment opportunities, and assess customer preferences.
• Advertising and Marketing Agencies: Agencies that offer advertising, branding, and marketing services often have market research analysts on their teams to provide insights for developing effective strategies and campaigns.
• Retail Companies: Retailers employ market research analysts to understand consumer behavior, analyze purchasing patterns, and identify market opportunities.
• Media and Entertainment Companies: Media companies, including television networks, film studios, and streaming platforms, use market research analysts to understand audience preferences, gauge viewership, and identify potential content opportunities.

What Is The Work-Life Balance Of A Market Research Analyst?

A market research analyst’s work-life balance can vary depending on company culture , industry, workload, and personal preferences. Generally, market research analysts strive to maintain a balanced lifestyle, but the actual balance achieved can differ from person to person.

The working hours of market research analysts involve standard office hours, 9 am to 5 pm, or similar. However, there may be times when they need to perform additional hours to meet project deadlines or during busy periods. Therefore, this affects how these individuals maintain their work and social life.

However, there is also a lot of flexibility in this job. Depending on the company and specific job requirements, market research analysts may have some flexibility in their work arrangements. This could include options for remote work , flexible schedules, or compressed work weeks. Flexibility can contribute positively to achieving a better work-life balance.

The workload varies based on the organization’s demands and the projects involved at different quarters of the year. There may be periods with high-intensity work where you should meet the deadlines, which could affect your work-life balance. However, there may also be quieter periods with a more manageable workload. Balancing workload, managing deadlines, and effectively communicating with stakeholders can help alleviate stress and improve work-life balance.

Personal factors such as individual preferences, commitments, and priorities significantly affect work-life balance. Some market research analysts may prioritize their personal lives, hobbies, or family time more, while others may focus more on their careers. Individuals must assess and prioritize their needs to achieve the desired work-life balance.

Ultimately, achieving a good work-life balance as a market research analyst involves finding a suitable position with a supportive company culture, managing workload and stress effectively, and establishing personal boundaries to ensure time for personal life outside of work.

Should I become a Market Research Analyst?

If you have a passion for market research, understanding market trends, and delving into the factors that influence consumers’ life decisions, this is the perfect career for you. It’s important to make an informed decision based on your interests, skills, and long-term goals. Notably, there will be over 99,800 job openings for market research analysts each year for the next decade leading to this job increase. Therefore, if you’re looking to invest in a promising career for the future, this is the ideal path to pursue.

Careers Related to Market Research Analyst

• Business Analyst
• Data Analyst
• Marketing Manager
• Product Manager
• Sales Manager

About the Author

Read more articles by Alyciah Beavers

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What is a Research Analyst?

Learn about the role of Research Analyst, what they do on a daily basis, and what it's like to be one.

• What is a Research Analyst
• How to Become
• Certifications
• Tools & Software
• LinkedIn Guide
• Interview Questions
• Work-Life Balance
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Definition of a Research Analyst

What does a research analyst do, key responsibilities of a research analyst.

• Designing and implementing qualitative and quantitative research studies to gather relevant data
• Utilizing statistical software and tools to analyze data and identify patterns and trends
• Interpreting data results and translating complex findings into understandable reports and presentations
• Developing and maintaining databases and data systems necessary for projects and department functions
• Creating clear and compelling visualizations, such as charts and graphs, to illustrate data findings
• Writing detailed reports and making recommendations based on research findings
• Monitoring and forecasting market trends to assist in strategic planning
• Collaborating with cross-functional teams to understand research needs and impact
• Ensuring the integrity and accuracy of data and research findings
• Staying informed about industry developments, tools, and best practices in research methodologies
• Communicating complex data insights to non-technical stakeholders for informed decision-making
• Adhering to ethical guidelines and compliance with legal and regulatory standards in data handling and research practices

Day to Day Activities for Research Analyst at Different Levels

Daily responsibilities for entry-level research analysts.

• Gathering and compiling data from various sources
• Performing preliminary data analysis using statistical software
• Assisting in the preparation of reports and presentations
• Supporting senior analysts in research projects
• Participating in meetings and taking detailed notes for follow-up actions
• Engaging in training programs to develop analytical skills

Daily Responsibilities for Mid-Level Research Analysts

• Designing and implementing research methodologies
• Conducting complex data analysis and interpreting results
• Developing detailed reports and making recommendations based on findings
• Collaborating with cross-functional teams to support broader business initiatives
• Presenting findings to stakeholders and contributing to strategic discussions
• Mentoring junior analysts and overseeing their work for specific tasks

Daily Responsibilities for Senior Research Analysts

• Leading the development of research frameworks and strategies
• Managing large-scale research projects and ensuring alignment with business goals
• Advising on the implications of research findings for organizational strategy
• Building and maintaining relationships with key stakeholders and external research partners
• Driving innovation in research methodologies and analytical techniques
• Guiding and developing the research team, fostering a culture of continuous learning

Types of Research Analysts

Market research analyst, financial research analyst, policy research analyst, data research analyst, operations research analyst, scientific research analyst, what's it like to be a research analyst , research analyst work environment, research analyst working conditions, how hard is it to be a research analyst, is a research analyst a good career path, faqs about research analysts, how do research analysts collaborate with other teams within a company, what are some common challenges faced by research analysts, what does the typical career progression look like for research analysts.

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Home / Online Bachelor’s Degree Programs / Online Bachelor of Science in Marketing Degree / Marketing Careers for Bachelor’s in Marketing Graduates / How to Become a Market Research Analyst: Steps and Skills

How to Become a Market Research Analyst How to Become a Market Research Analyst How to Become a Market Research Analyst

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An increasing number of companies across varied industries rely on market research and statistical data to make informed decisions and carry out effective plans. This has made the market research analyst role indispensable in many organizations.

Students who are interested in entering the profession should know that educational investment is crucial. In addition to  earning the right degree  to become a market research analyst, they also need to develop the right set of skills and gain sufficient working experience.

What Does a Market Research Analyst Do?

Market research analysts help companies understand target markets. They do this through in-depth studies of market trends, market conditions, consumer buying behaviors, and other related metrics. Having a comprehensive understanding of these areas allows companies to devise the right products and identify which consumers are likely to purchase those products at certain prices. Market research analysts may accomplish this through questionnaires, interviews, and market analysis, among other strategies. These professionals are also skilled in researching and analyzing competitors.

Market Research Analyst Degree Path

Market research analysts are vital to helping a business target the right consumers and optimize growth strategies. Earning a degree in marketing, business analytics, or a related field can help individuals on their path toward becoming a market research analyst. Gaining professional experience and honing the skills that are considered fundamental for the role are also important.

Collectively, these steps can equip individuals with a foundation in the necessary skills and knowledge to be successful in the career. Just as importantly, they can help individuals understand how best to apply what they’ve learned to an individual company’s goals.

Market Research Analyst Education Requirements

Typically, the market research analyst role requires a minimum of a bachelor’s degree. There are a number of relevant undergraduate degrees, with the most useful offering a deeper understanding of core concepts related to market research analysis, including consumer behavior, target audience identification, and strategic planning.

Those who are interested in an advanced career in market research analysis should consider pursuing a master’s degree. This isn’t a requirement to enter the field, but some employers may prefer candidates with an advanced degree, especially for senior and managerial roles.

How to Become a Market Research Analyst

There are essential steps to becoming a market research analyst, including obtaining the right bachelor’s degree and considering a  master’s degree  for possible higher-level positions. Market research analysts also need several years of work experience to become certified as professional market researchers.

Step 1: Earn a Bachelor’s Degree

Students can begin their paths by earning a bachelor’s in fields such as  marketing ,  business administration , or  psychology . Each of these degrees, in different ways, provides valuable insights, enabling future market research analysts to assess consumer buying behaviors and preferences.

Specifically, a degree in marketing is valuable, since the coursework incorporates business theories and policies, marketing, and the study of consumer behaviors. A bachelor’s in business administration provides a foundation in financial accounting, economics, business law, and statistics. A degree in psychology, on the other hand, allows students to study human nature and behaviors from perspectives that incorporate fundamental concepts such as cognition, multiculturalism, critical thinking, and development through the lifespan.

Step 2: Build On-the-Job Experience

Advancing to the role of market research analyst usually requires at least a few years of industry experience, working in a role such as marketing assistant or account representative. This background helps gain access to greater job opportunities — such as becoming a market research analyst — as well as assists in qualifying for particular certifications. Market research analysts usually work full time, although certain job demands, such as time-sensitive marketing campaigns, may require them to work additional hours.

Step 3: Earn a Master’s Degree (Optional)

To qualify for higher-level positions, market research analysts should consider pursuing a master’s degree. There are degrees that focus specifically on market research analysis related fields, such as marketing, market research, or data analytics; however, professionals may also choose to earn a  Master of Business Administration (MBA) .

In addition to opening greater career opportunities, a master’s degree can also serve as a valuable tool in obtaining the Insights Professional Certification, or IPC. This designation is administered by the Insights Association. To qualify, applicants need to take and pass a test and possess at least three years of work experience. Certified researchers who plan to renew their credentials, which is required every two years, must complete 20 hours of continuing education.

What Skills Does a Market Research Analyst Need?

In addition to building job experience and obtaining the right education, market research analysts need specific soft skills to succeed in the field.

The ability to analyze huge amounts of data is a must, considering that research and information analysis are at the heart of the job. In terms of choosing the right marketing strategies for any given company, critical-thinking abilities also come into play.

Finally, market research analysts need exceptional communication skills. Those interested in becoming market research analysts need to develop oral and written communication skills, as the role typically involves frequent presentations and interactions with clients, team members, consumer audiences, and other stakeholders.

Market Research Analyst Salaries and Job Outlook

According to the BLS, the median salary for a market research analyst in 2020 was $65,810. Several factors contribute to precise salary levels, such as overall professional experience and the position’s location.

In addition, the BLS projects 18% growth for this job between 2019 and 2029. This rate is significantly higher than the 4% average employment growth for all other occupations over the same 10-year period. By 2029, the BLS estimates that as many as 130,300 additional market research analyst jobs will be created.

Several factors contribute to this impressive growth in market research analyst jobs. Companies are relying to a greater degree on data and research to effectively target consumers. The ability to reach the right customers, due to more effective marketing and advertising strategies, leads to an increase in business profits.

The BLS further reports that job applicants with strong backgrounds in statistics and data analysis, as well as those with a master’s degree in marketing or business administration, are likely to have better employment opportunities.

Start Your Journey to Becoming a Market Research Analyst Today

If you have a passion for understanding marketing research, statistical data, and human psychology, a career as a market research analyst might be an excellent choice.

There is no better time than now to invest in your future. Earning a degree in a field such as marketing, statistics, analytics, psychology, or business administration can be a step in the right direction to becoming a market research analyst.

Maryville University offers online  bachelor’s  and  master’s  degrees in a range of fields including  marketing ,  psychology , and  business administration . These rigorous academic degree programs are designed to fit into students’ busy lifestyles, which may include family obligations and full-time jobs.

Be brave. Take the first step today toward an exciting career as a market research analyst.

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Data Research Analyst

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Equifax is where you can power your possible. If you want to achieve your true potential, chart new paths, develop new skills, collaborate with bright minds, and make a meaningful impact, we want to hear from you.

The Data Research Analyst performs forensic research into corporations in support of the Commercial Data Team and Marketing Data Services' customers, updating data on individual locations and full corporate hierarchies to ensure accurate, high-quality results are delivered to clients.

What you’ll do

Ability to uncover and analyze information from both large and small businesses with limited online presence.

The work is largely heads down, with limited interaction, and requires a great deal of self discipline and motivation. 

Analysts must be able to find, interpret, differentiate, and understand the data. 

What experience you need 

Minimum bachelor's degree.

Minimum 1 year working with data interpretation

Successful candidates will have the ability to parse difficult legal language, a deep love of puzzles (both jigsaw and logic-type), and a strong willingness to look again

Proficiency in differentiating and interpreting data to ensure accurate understanding.

Analytical skills to distinguish relevant information from unrelated entities

A familiarity with US businesses and US street addresses is critical

What could set you apart

Degree in history or research-heavy humanity discipline

We offer comprehensive compensation and healthcare packages, 401k matching, paid time off, and organizational growth potential through our online learning platform with guided career tracks.

Are you ready to power your possible? Apply today, and get started on a path toward an exciting new career at Equifax, where you can make a difference!

Who is Equifax? 

At Equifax, we believe knowledge drives progress. As a global data, analytics and technology company, we play an essential role in the global economy by helping employers, employees, financial institutions and government agencies make critical decisions with greater confidence. ​​​​​​​  

We work to help create seamless and positive experiences during life’s pivotal moments: applying for jobs or a mortgage, financing an education or buying a car. Our impact is real and to accomplish our goals we focus on nurturing our people for career advancement and their learning and development, supporting our next generation of leaders, maintaining an inclusive and diverse work environment, and regularly engaging and recognizing our employees. Regardless of location or role, the individual and collective work of our employees makes a difference and we are looking for talented team players to join us as we help people live their financial best.  

Equifax is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran.

Working at Equifax

We believe in a growth mindset. At Equifax, this includes providing our employees opportunities to perform at their best and learn new skills along the way to inspire and build fulfilling careers. Watch our video to learn more about how you can power your possible! 

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2024 Housing Market Forecast and Predictions: Housing Affordability Finally Begins to Turnaround

As we look ahead to 2024 , we see a mix of continuity and change in both the housing market and economy. Against a backdrop of modest economic growth, slightly higher unemployment, and easing inflation longer term interest rates including mortgage rates begin a slow retreat. The shift from climbing to falling mortgage rates improves housing affordability, but saps some of the urgency home shoppers had previously sensed. Less frenzied housing demand and plenty of rental home options keep home sales relatively stable at low levels in 2024, helping home prices to adjust slightly lower even as the number of for-sale homes continues to dwindle. 

Realtor.com ® 2024 Forecast for Key Housing Indicators

Home Prices Dip, Improving Affordability

Home prices grew at a double-digit annual clip for the better part of two years spanning the second half of 2020 through 2022, a notable burst following a growing streak that spanned back to 2012. As mortgage rates climbed, home price growth flatlined, actually declining on an annual basis in early 2023 before an early-year dip in mortgage rates spurred enough buyer demand to reignite competition for still-limited inventory. Home prices began to climb again, and while they did not reach a new monthly peak, on average for the year we expect that the 2023 median home price will slightly exceed the 2022 annual median.

Nevertheless, even during the brief period when prices eased, using a mortgage to buy a home remained expensive. Since May 2022, purchasing the typical for-sale home listing at the prevailing rate for a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage with a 20% down payment meant forking over a quarter or more of the typical household paycheck. In fact, in October 2023, it required 39% of the typical household income and this share is expected to average 36.7% for the full calendar year in 2023. This figure has typically ranged around 21%, so it is well above historical average. We expect that the return to pricing in line with financing costs will begin in 2024, and home prices, mortgage rates, and income growth will each contribute to the improvement. Home prices are expected to ease slightly, dropping less than 2% for the year on average. Combined with lower mortgage rates and income growth this will improve the home purchase mortgage payment share relative to median income to an average 34.9% in 2024, with the share slipping under 30% by the end of the year.

Home Sales Barely Budge Above 2023’s Likely Record Low

After soaring during the pandemic, existing home sales were weighed down in the latter half of 2022 as mortgage rates took off, climbing from just over 3% at the start of the year to a peak of more than 7% in the fourth quarter. The reprieve in mortgage rates in early 2023, when they dipped to around 6%, brought some life to home sales, but the renewed climb of mortgage rates has again exerted significant pressure on home sales that is exacerbated by the fact that a greater than usual number of households bought homes over the past few years, and despite stories of pandemic purchase regret , for the most part, these homeowners continue to be happy in their homes. 

This is consistent with what visitors to Realtor.com report when asked why they are not planning to sell their homes. The number one reason homeowners aren’t trying to sell is that they just don’t need to; concern about losing an existing low-rate mortgage is the top financial concern cited. Our current projection is for 2023 home sales to tally just over 4 million, a dip of 19% over the 2022 5 million total. 

With many of the same forces at play heading into 2024, the housing chill will continue, with sales expected to remain essentially unchanged at just over 4 million. Although mortgage rates are expected to ease throughout the course of the year, the continuation of high costs will mean that existing homeowners will have a very high threshold for deciding to move, with many likely choosing to stay in place.  Moves of necessity–for job changes, family situation changes, and downsizing to a more affordable market–are likely to drive home sales in 2024. 

Shoppers Find Even Fewer Existing Homes For Sale

Even before the pandemic, housing inventory was on a long, slow downward trajectory. Insufficient building meant that the supply of houses did not keep up with household formation and left little slack in the housing market. Both homeowner and rental vacancy remain below historic averages . In contrast with the existing home market, which remains sluggish, builders have been catching up, with construction remaining near pre-pandemic highs for single-family and hitting record levels for multi-family . 

Despite this, the lack of excess capacity in housing has been painfully obvious in the for-sale home market. The number of existing homes on the market has dwindled. With home sales activity to continue at a relatively low pace, the number of unsold homes on the market is also expected to remain low.  Although mortgage rates are expected to begin to ease, they are expected to exceed 6.5% for the calendar year. This means that the lock-in effect, in which the gap between market mortgage rates and the mortgage rates existing homeowners enjoy on their outstanding mortgage, will remain a factor. Roughly two-thirds of outstanding mortgages have a rate under 4% and more than 90% have a rate less than 6%.

Rental Supply Outpaces Demand to Drive Mild Further Decline in Rents

After almost a full year of double-digit rent growth between mid-2021 and mid-2022, the rental market has finally cooled down, as evidenced by the year-over-year decline that started in May 2023 . In 2024, we expect the rental market will closely resemble the dynamics witnessed in 2023, as the tug of war between supply and demand results in a mild annual decline of -0.2% in the median asking rent.

New multi-family supply will continue to be a key element shaping the 2024 rental market.  In the third quarter of 2023, the annual pace of newly completed multi-family homes stood at 385,000 units. Although absorption rates remained elevated in the second quarter, especially at lower price points, the rental vacancy rate ticked up to 6.6% in the third quarter. This uptick in rental vacancy suggests the recent supply has outpaced demand, but context is important. After recent gains, the rental vacancy rate is on par with its level right before the onset of the pandemic in early 2020, still below its 7.2% average from the 2013 to 2019 period.  Looking ahead, the strong construction pipeline– which hit a record high for units under construction this summer –is expected to continue fueling rental supply growth in 2024 pushing rental vacancy back toward its long-run average. 

While the surge in new multi-family supply gives renters options, the sheer number of renters will minimize the potential price impact. The median asking rent in 2024 is expected to drop only slightly below its 2023 level. Renting is expected to continue to be a more budget friendly option than buying in the vast majority of markets, even though home prices and mortgage rates are both expected to dip, helping pull the purchase market down slightly from record unaffordability. 

Young adult renters who lack the benefit of historically high home equity to tap into for a home purchase will continue to find the housing market challenging. Specifically, as many Millennials age past first-time home buying age and more Gen Z approach these years, the current housing landscape is likely to keep these households in the rental market for a longer period as they work to save up more money for the growing down payment needed to buy a first home. This trend is expected to sustain robust demand for rental properties. Consequently, we anticipate that rental markets favored by young adults , a list which includes a mix of affordable areas and tech-heavy job markets in the South, Midwest, and West, will be rental markets to watch in 2024.

Key Wildcards:

• Wildcard 1: Mortgage Rates With both mortgage rates and home prices expected to turn the corner in 2024, record high unaffordability will become a thing of the past, though as noted above, the return to normal won’t be accomplished within the year. This prediction hinges on the expectation that inflation will continue to subside, enabling the recent declines in longer-term interest rates to continue. If inflation were to instead see a surprise resurgence, this aspect of the forecast would change, and home sales could slip lower instead of steadying.
• Wildcard 2: Geopolitics In our forecast for 2023 , we cited the risk of geopolitical instability on trade and energy costs as something to watch. In addition to Russia’s ongoing war in Ukraine, instability in the Middle East has not only had a catastrophic human toll, both conflicts have the potential to impact the economic outlook in ways that cannot be fully anticipated. 
• Wildcard 3: Domestic Politics: 2024 Elections In 2020, amid the upheaval of pandemic-era adaptations, many Americans were on the move. We noted that Realtor.com traffic patterns indicated that home shoppers in very traditionally ‘blue’ or Democratic areas were tending to look for homes in markets where voters have more typically voted ‘red’ or Republican. While consumers also reported preferring to live in locations where their political views align with the majority , few actually reported wanting to move for this reason alone. 

Housing Perspectives:

What will the market be like for homebuyers, especially first-time homebuyers.

First-time homebuyers will continue to face a challenging housing market in 2024, but there are some green shoots. The record-high share of income required to purchase the median priced home is expected to begin to decline as mortgage rates ease, home prices soften, and incomes grow. In 2023 we expect that for the year as a whole, the monthly cost of financing the typical for-sale home will average more than $2,240, a nearly 20% increase over the mortgage payment in 2022, and roughly double the typical payment for buyers in 2020. This amounted to a whopping nearly 37% of the typical household income. In 2024 as modest price declines take hold and mortgage rates dip, the typical purchase cost is expected to slip just under $2,200 which would amount to nearly 35% of income. While far higher than historically average, this is a significant first step in a buyer-friendly direction.

How can homebuyers prepare? 

Homebuyers can prepare for this year’s housing market by getting financially ready. Buyers can use a home affordability calculator , like this one at Realtor.com to translate their income and savings into a home price range. And shoppers can pressure test the results by using a mortgage calculator to consider different down payment, price, and loan scenarios to see how their monthly costs would be impacted. Working with a lender can help potential buyers explore different loan products such as FHA or VA loans that may offer lower mortgage interest rates or more flexible credit criteria. 

Although prices are anticipated to fall in 2024, housing costs remain high, and a down payment can be a big obstacle for buyers. Recent research shows that the typical down payment on a home reached a record high of $30,000 .  To make it easier to cobble together a down payment, shoppers can access information about down payment assistance options at Realtor.com/fairhousing and in the monthly payment section of home listing pages. Furthermore, home shoppers can explore loan products geared toward helping families access homeownership by enabling down payments as low as 3.5% in the case of FHA loans and 0% in the case of VA loans .

What will the market be like for home sellers?

Home sellers are likely to face more competition from builders than from other sellers in 2024. Because builders are continuing to maintain supply and increasingly adapting to market conditions, they are increasingly focused on lower-priced homes and willing to make price adjustments when needed. As a result, potential sellers will want to consider the landscape for new construction housing in their markets and any implications for pricing and marketing before listing their home for sale.

What will the market be like for renters?

In 2024, renting is expected to continue to be a more cost-effective option than buying in the short term even though we anticipate the advantage for renting to diminish as home prices and mortgage rates decline. 

However, for those considering the pursuit of long-term equity through homeownership, it’s essential to not only stay alert about market trends but also to carefully consider the intended duration of residence in their next home. When home prices rise rapidly, like they did during the pandemic, the higher cost of purchasing a home may break even with the cost of renting in as little as 3 years. Generally, it takes longer to reach the breakeven point, typically within a 5 to 7-year timeframe. Importantly, when home prices are falling and rents are also declining, as is expected to be the case in 2024, it can take longer to recoup some of the higher costs of buying a home. Individuals using Realtor.com’s Rent vs. Buy Calculator can thoroughly evaluate the costs and benefits associated with renting versus buying over time and how many years current market trends suggest it will take before buying is the better financial decision. This comprehensive tool can provide insights tailored to a household’s specific rent versus buying decision and empowers consumers to consider not only the optimal choice for the current month but also how the trade-offs evolve over several years.

Local Market Predictions:

All real estate is local and while the national trends are instructive, what matters most is what’s expected in your local market. 

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Suburbanization Problems in the USSR : the Case of Moscow

• Référence bibliographique

Gornostayeva Galina A. Suburbanization Problems in the USSR : the Case of Moscow . In: Espace, populations, sociétés , 1991-2. Les franges périurbaines Peri-urban fringes. pp. 349-357.

DOI : https://doi.org/10.3406/espos.1991.1474

www.persee.fr/doc/espos_0755-7809_1991_num_9_2_1474

• RIS (ProCite, Endnote, ...)

Résumé (fre)

La suburbanisation n'existe pas en URSS au sens des phénomènes décrits dans les villes occidentales. Cependant on observe certains transferts limités d'activités industrielles exigeantes en espace ou polluantes, voire même de centres de recherches, vers les zones suburbaines ou des villes-satellites. Mais ces déconcentrations répondent à une logique de planification administrative. En outre, les Moscovites hésitent à aller habiter dans ces centres d'emploi, de crainte de perdre les privilèges liés à l'autorisation d'habiter Moscou (la propiska) et du fait des communications insuffisantes avec la capitale. Le taux de croissance de la population moscovite reste supérieur à celui du reste de l'oblast. Par contre le développement de datchas de seconde résidence est très important dans l'oblast de Moscou, en particulier aux alentours des stations de chemin de fer. L'abolition du système de propiska pourrait transformer les datchas les plus proches de Moscou en résidences principales.

Résumé (eng)

The suburbanisation does not exist as such in the USSR with the meaning one has of the phenomena in Western cities. Though one may notice some limited transfers of industrial activities demanding a lot of space or polluting ones, even research centres, towards the suburban areas or satellite-towns. But these déconcentrations correspond to an administrative planification logics. Moreover the Muscovites hesitate before going and living in these employment centres, because they are afraid of loosing the privileges linked with the authorisation to live in Moscow (the propiska) and because of insufficient communications with the capital. The growth rate of the Muscovite population remains higher than this of the remainder of the oblast. To the contrary developing of datchas for second residences is very high in the Moscow oblast, especially in the vicinity of a railway station. The abolishment of the «propiska» system might transform the datchas nearer to Moscow into main residences.

• Economic structure [link]
• Suburbanization of activities [link]
• Suburbanization of population [link]
• Conclusions [link]
• Literature [link]

Liste des illustrations

• Table 1. Employment structure, % [link]
• Table 2. Annual rate of population increase, % [link]
• Fig. 1. Spatial distribution of country-cottages and gardening associations in the Moscow region [link]

Texte intégral

Galina A. GORNOSTAYEVA

Moscow University

Suburbanization Problems

in the USSR :

the Case of Moscow

Suburbanization processes typical to cities in Western Europe, the USA and other countries are not observed in the USSR or they are distorted to such an extent that they may not be compared with existing standards. This states the question how Soviet cities-succeeded in escaping this stage of urban development. In order to answer this question, we should first summarize the main aspects of Western suburbanization.

Firstly, it is well known that the urbanization processes are linked to structural changes in the economy. Thus the transition from the stage of concentration to this of suburbanization is associated with industrialization, and the transition to the third stage - déconcentration - is related with the rapid growth of employment in the non-industrial sphere. Secondly, a suburbanization of economic activities can be distinguished. It applies in the first place to the building and iron- working industry, transports, engineering and chemical works. These are polluting and requiring extensive areas. This suburbanization of industry is caused by the following factors: rising demand for land from firms ; worsening of transport

tions in the inner cities ; demand for lower land costs and taxation levels in suburbs ; rapid growth of road transports; state policies regulating the growth of large cities ; migration of the labour force to the suburban zones. Scientific and educational activities are also transferred from the centre to the suburbs.

The third important aspect of suburbanization applies to the population. In the suburbs two opposite flows of population meet ; one is centripetal, coming from non- metropolitan regions, the other is centrifugal, coming from the central city. The reasons for the migration to the suburbs are as follows : declining living standards in large cities (overcrowding, slow housing renewal, environmental problems, etc.); growth of motorization of the population, development of communications (telephone, telex, fax, computer) ; intensifying decentralization of working places ; lower land prices in the suburbs ; state support for the intensification of real estate development in the suburbs. The above-mentioned factors and reasons for suburbanization are altered in the Soviet cities. Let us explore them, by taking for example the largest one - Moscow.

Economic structure

The employment structure in the USSR reveals sharp differences from those in developed urbanized countries. The USSR is characterized by a high share of employment in agriculture, industry, construction and a low share in the non-industrial sphere (tab. 1).

A correlation analysis of the percentage of urban population and employment in the different spheres of economic activity reveals that the share of urban population in the USSR is higher than in countries with the same percentage of persons employed in agriculture.

TABLE 1. EMPLOYMENT STRUCTURE,

Source: personal calculations.

The urbanization processes in the Moscow Capital Region (MCR) are more intensive than in other regions of the USSR. Structural changes are more obvious here : the share of employment in the non-industrial sphere increases more substantially and the percentage of persons employed in industry and agriculture is lower than in the whole country. However the MCR cannot therefore be compared with a metropolitan region in a Western country. Although Moscow is the most advanced agglomeration in the USSR, it lags is far behind the major world cities in terms of development and it is at the very start of the post- industrial stage of its structural and urban transformation.

The structural «anomaly» of the USSR as a whole and of the MCR in particular is explained by the enforced process of industrialization (starting from the thirties) at the expense of the peasantry (thus, there is not only a booming industrial employment in cities, but also worsening living and working conditions in villages and forced collectivization having triggered off the massive rural emigration). As a result, the share of urban population in the USSR is higher than expected, based on changes in the economic structure. While urbanization in the developed countries was due, among

other causes, to an increasing labour efficiency in agriculture, this remained quite low in the USSR. Therefore the employment share in agriculture is overstated in comparison with countries with a similar percentage of urban population, and even this considerable part of the labour force is unable to feed the whole population of the country.

The share of agricultural employment in the mcr increased from 7,4 % to 7,6 °7o between 1980 and 1985 (as a result of Moscow attractiveness and the better living standards in its surrounding villages), whereas it continued to decline in other parts of the Central region. The population growth in villages adjacent to Moscow is especially intensive, though labour efficiency in localities near Moscow is higher than in the other oblasts. In spite of this, Moscow oblast provides only 61 % of milk, 34 °/o of potatoes, 45 % of vegetables and 23 % of meat needed by the population in Moscow city and oblast (Argumen- ty i facty, 1988, N50, p. 3). The structural anomaly is not only related to processes in agricultural sphere but also in industrial sector. As a result of the low economic mobility of socialist firms and of the absence of market relations, the industrial development was extensive,

without significant increases of the labour

productivity.

Thus the employment transfer from the

agricultural to the industrial sector, their

extensive development and their low labour

productivity are intrinsically related with the political definition of productiorfrela- tions and course of structural economic transformation.

Suburbanization of activities

Moscow and Moscow oblast show divergent economic structures and changes (tab. 1). In Moscow the employment share in the non-industrial sphere in Moscow is growing more rapidly, whereas the share of industrial employment is decreasing. In Moscow oblast the part of transport and communication infrastructure, retail trade, administration, housing (presently less developed than in Moscow) is increasing. Some stages in the transformation of activities in the mcr's settlements may be pointed out here. The stage of industrialization and reconstruction after World War II is characterized by the swift industrial development and the active restructuration of the Moscow and Moscow oblast economy. New industries have been built (motor-car and aircraft assembly, machine-tool industry, organic synthesis, etc.), around Moscow research and production potential. Nevertheless, this restructuration is extensive, since traditional industries don't curtail production. It favours the heavy concentration of modern functions in Moscow. There is no transfer of firms outside Moscow. Suburbanization of industrial activities did not occur because of the state owning the means of production and of thé socialist form of production relations. When research and technological progress are slowing down, these firms become inefficient and spatially immobile. The period 1956-1970 is marked by an intensive development of the region scientific sphere and by the rise of « satellite » urban policy. The new centres were specialized in modern branches of machinery and research-engineering activities and were undoubtedly very attractive for the population. Therefore towns like Dubna were growing rapidly. While the aim was to redirect part of Moscow population

growth, they display a quite specific relation with the capital. For instance, Muscovites working in Pushchino cannot reach their job every day because they lack transport facilities. Nevertheless, they don't wish to move and register their passports in the city in which they actually work, since they would have to give up their Moscow registration and then lose all Moscow privileges (see further). These new centres are isolated from information sources in Moscow. Poor telephone communications, lack of computers and telex systems hamper contacts and teamwork with colleagues in the city. It seems that material resources for experimental work in research centres are not sufficient to compensate for lack of information and communications. At the same time, poor transport links with Moscow and the other towns of Moscow oblast isolate the scientists from the higher standard of culture in the centre and from a well developed social infrastructure. An original home-work relation can be observed in Dubna: the Muscovites get the second registration of passports and live there in hostel apartments during 4 or 5 working days, during the weekends they go back to Moscow, where their families are living. The change of functions in Moscow oblast towns is still going on. Inside the towns of the first circle adjacent to Moscow, the share of employment in the non-industrial sectors and transport is growing. Inside the towns of the second circle (suburban zone) these changes lead to an increasing potential of non-industrial, industrial and construction functions. Finally, in the outlying parts of the region the further grovth of construction and industrial functions is observed and the organization potential is intensifying in some towns. The mcr towns display a crawling concen-

tration of the regional most important functions and their extension outside the boundaries of Moscow to the towns of the suburban zone. But the déconcentration of functions in the mcr is not only of natural- economic character. It also results from the state urban policy. Déconcentration is not related to the search for more advantageous sites for firms and institutions as regards to economic or social relations (the availability of cheaper labour force or more comfortable living conditions, etc.), nor is it sustained by the expansion of transport and communication facilities. Thus, this déconcentration is independent from curtailment of any function in central Moscow, whose potential is still growing, and it is also completely inadequate regarding the continuing concentration of population (see below). All this, together with the slow economic and territorial mobility of firms, is an obstacle to the economic restructuration of the region, and to the reorientation of Moscow and its suburbs to non-industrial activities and to progressive scientific and informational work. The mass labour-consuming functions still remain in Moscow and its suburbs, but they are inevitably cut off from modern types of activities.

The idea of alleviating Moscow's development appeared from the very beginning of its rapid growth, since the excessive concentration of population and employment led (as in the other major world cities) to environmental discomfort, worsening of transport, strip-holding of land and other congestion signs. In market economies, the firms react to alterations of economic or social conditions by their mobility: some

of them close, other relocate in more convenient places. In the USSR, the problem of firm transfer (unhealthy or unprofitable firms) becomes unsolvable because of the special type of production relations. Economic and territorial passivity of firms is apparent in the difficulties of erecting industrial buildings and dismantling machinery and equipment, in the low turnover of the means of production. The same problem exist regarding the labour force. Firms transferred to the suburban towns of Moscow oblast are encountering great difficulties in recruiting staff in sufficient numbers and of required skill. The local labour force is rather weak, while the Moscow workers wouldn't leave the capital to follow their firm, because they are afraid of being deprived of passport registration in Moscow. From the social point of view, giving up a Moscow registration is more significant to people than losing their job. The processes going on in the mcr are therefore not quite comparable with those in the Western world. The market economy is more «lively» and replacement of functions has the character of territorial waves. Some functions disappear while new ones emerge. In the mcr, the waves are replaced by stratification. New functions do not replace the old ones, but joining them. At the same time, this process of relative déconcentration of functions overpass the process of stable concentration of population. In the mcr, the modern branches are gravitated closely to Moscow, where skilled workers are retained by their registration advantages. Suburban towns have to be satisfied with commuters or specialists from the outlying regions of the USSR.

Suburbanization of population

The urbanization structure of the region is characterized by the predominance of its main centre - Moscow. The share of the capital in the total Moscow oblast population was as follows: in 1929 - 44,3 Vo, in 1939 - 51,6 %, in 1959 - 54,9 %, in 1979 -54,5 Vo, in 1985 - 57,3 % (Moscow Capital Region, p. 137.). Within the agglomeration, the share of Moscow is still higher, in 1959 it was 75,5 % and in 1985

- 67,3 % (ibid., p. 141), whereas in the highly developed capital regions of the world the agglomeration counts one half or less of the total population and of the economic potential, the second half being concentrated in the suburbs (Gritsay, p. 71). Moreover, the growth rate of Moscow population is higher than that of Moscow oblast (tab . 2).

TABLE 2. ANNUAL RATE OF POPULATION INCREASE,

Migrations are of great importance to the mcr. The internal migration of rural population to the cities is rather substantial, and the immigration flow from the rest of the USSR is not compensated by the decrease of rural population in the mcr. The nearer a town to Moscow, the larger the migration share in its total population increase.

The dynamics of population in the mcr has a specific character. In agglomerations of the developed countries the principle of the «broken glass» summarizes the suburbanization process. When, for some reasons, the centre loses its attractiveness the urban population moves to suburbs in search of higher living standard. In Moscow agglomeration the principle of the «overfilled glass» is operating. People wanting to live in Moscow cannot enter the city and are forced to settle near it. In Moscow immigration undoubtedly prevails over emigration, confirming the extreme territorial differentiation in conditions, level and way of life. As a rule, commuting is oriented from suburbs to Moscow (600 thousand persons come to Moscow and only 200 thousand leave it), but it accounts only for 12-15 % cf the total employment in Moscow's economy. Moreover, these commuters are not Muscovites but potential new inhabitants of the capital (striving for passport registration and domicile in Moscow).

Moscow became the most attractive place for living and an intensive flow of ruined rural residents as well as residents from other regions of the country were rushing -to Moscow. These processes were generated not only by the inception of the country structural economic transformation,

but also by the policy of special privileges for Moscow. These privileges came into being after the establishment of a centralized distribution system. Such a system involves the assignment of a priority level of foodstuffs and manufactured goods to each territory. Moscow was awarded the highest priority level. From the very beginning, better living standards and higher income for certain population categories were established there. In the thirties the artificial differentiation in living standards was confirmed by imposing restrictions to passport registration in the capital, and also by the division of administrative bodies into Moscow and Moscow oblast authorities. In the period 1925-30 dozens of new large firms were located in Moscow, but housing was insufficient at that time. Therefore, a great number of migrants from every corner of the country came to get a job in Moscow and settled in cottages in the nearby countryside. Soon, these settlements in the nearby countryside. Soon, these settlements turned into urban ones. For example, towns like Mytishchi and Luberstsy developed rapidly, and even Muscovites moved there when the railways were electrified. This was clearly the outset of a suburbanization process, but it stopped as soon as the restrictions on passport registration in Moscow were imposed and the social barrier between Moscow and Moscow oblast was established. In the period 1930-40, new industrial developments were banned from Moscow and firms drawn towards the city were located on the outskirts thus causing a rapid growth of the old and new towns. Although the development of cottages as second residence near Moscow started even before the revolution, since the en-

vironmental degradation of Moscow was practically completed at that time, they became the main resorts of those years. They had flourished in the districts with privileged natural conditions and convenient transport services (not further than 2 km from a railway station). In the period 1930-40, this sprawl of leisure housing carried on - cottage settlements expanded into an entire belt of scattered one- storeyed buildings. But at the same time, urban multi-storeyed housing also increased and after World War II these multi- storeyed buildings were found in the cottage settlements of the leisure zone. In the period 1950-60 a network of gardening associations was established. In those

years the most convenient land near Moscow had already been built on. The gardening plots allotted to the Muscovites were located in the remote parts of the mcr, outside the suburban zone, and very frequently they were on improper territories. Because of their remoteness, the difficulties in cultivation and building, the lack of infrastructure, these plots cannot become effective leisure resorts. More frequently Muscovites use them for fruit and vegetable growing.

The desire of the Muscovites for having a second residence in the suburbs can be interpreted as an unfulfilled suburbanization tendency. This desire has the same, mainly environmental, causes as suburbaniza-

tion in Western countries. The cottages within the reach of Moscow's traffic and having access to appropriate infrastructure and amenities, might become the principal residence of Muscovites if passport registration is abolished. The restrictions of passport registration in Moscow fixed in the thirties were devised as an administrative solution against the effects of Moscow's unique attractiveness and not as a means of eliminating the attractiveness itself. For this reason, Moscow became even more attractive, like a forbidden fruit. The consequences were both the concentration of the upper strata of society in the city and the extensive development of industry, resulting in a growing shortage of unskilled labour.

The shortage of regular workers in Moscow is sometimes explained by the increasing number of working places. An adequate planning of the «limiters» (1) system is then put forward as the solution for controlling the growth of Moscow is found in (Glushkova, 1988, p. 43). To be frank, about twenty industrial units and more than one hundred scientific institutions were already created in the seventies alone, in spite of the industrial building ban in Moscow, only a few firms moved outside the city in return. New industrial units easily find staff, since they offer new machinery, relatively good working conditions and higher wages. New scientific and administrative institutions are in a similar position. But the situation is totally different in the old industrial units, with rundown equipment and a high level of manual tasks. Those units suffer from a staff shortage. Moreover, as in any other city, there is a social mobility in Moscow, in most cases improving - from manual up to mental, from unskilled up to highly skilled work. Furthermore, the prestige of a higher education (university) is overestimated in Moscow, whereas the prestige of the manual professions has declined as a result of the stagnation of reinvestments in industry, the high share of manual labour (40 %), and also favouritism and

crowding in the administrative staffs. The attractiveness of an upper class position is therefore overestimated, and social mobility activated. Since Moscow cannot admit free «immigrants» the lower strata of the social structure are vacant and there appears a shortage of unskilled labour force. The lower strata of the social structure were filled in with « limiters ». Available employment in Moscow was not the cause of an organized immigration flow, but represented the only possible way to register the passport there. Roughly half of these people drawn into Moscow's economy left their jobs. «Limiters» get the right to register their passports in Moscow and take up their residence in new houses when their contract expires. They usually quit their job as soon as possible in search of better working conditions (Glushkova, 1988, p. 42). The nature of unskilled work in Moscow and the associated working conditions are so unattractive that it is nearly impossible to find Muscovites willing to perform them.

The institution of passport registration raised many problems. Thus the « limiters » are recruited in social groups not needing most of the advantages of a large city, their psychology and value system differ sharply from native Muscovites. The direct environment of the hostels where «limiters » live, has a pronounced criminal character. Fictitious marriage in order to register the passport in Moscow has become a widespread practice.

Moscow's environmental problems can hardly be solved as long as passport registration exists. The population is literally locked up within the city boundaries. Notwithstanding the environmental stresses, the Moscow privileges prevent the Muscovites from leaving the city. The urban districts not saturated with harmful industrial units are the most prestigious. The social and economic causes of Moscow's extensive growth reveal that its problems are a reflection of the ones facing the USSR. The concentration of economic, social and management functions in Mos-

cow in Soviet times materializes the strong centralism of the particraty and weighs down on the city's development. Low labour efficiency in agriculture and sheer desolation of villages on the one hand, rapid but extensive industrialisation together with forced increasing social attraction of Moscow, confirmed by the restrictions on passport registration, on the other hand, were the key factors of the mcr's polarization during decades. Together with objective factors found in other large cities of the world, subjective factors related to the Soviet political and economic system influence Moscow's growth.

The objective factors are as follows: the diversity of employment in the capital, the emergence of new types of occupations, the concentration of high-skilled and creative labour, the higher living standards, the large educational and cultural opportunities.

The subjective factors are the higher supply level of foodstuff and manufactured goods different than in other regions (the existence of meat-rationing system in many regions of the country and its absence in Moscow establishes a significant threshold not only in terms of supply but also in the outlook of the population); the lack of communications and individual motorized transport (in the rsfsr one counts 47 cars per 1000 urban inhabitants against 560 in the USA) (Argumenty i facty, 1988, N47, p. 2); the craving for joining the upper social classes and for accessing neighbourhoods with a high quality of life; unjustified promotion of upward social mobility releasing «the ground floors» of Moscow's economy; continued growth of employment due to the extensive economic development and the low economic and territorial mobility of firms. Today, the hierarchy of priorities for selecting a residence within the mcr and the whole country is as follows. Food supply comes first. The supply of manufactured

goods, the opportunities to obtain better and larger living quarters and to accede to a prestigious employment with a wage increase, social promotion, well developed consumer services come next. And only at the end of the scale appears the opportunity to fulfil cultural needs and education. Thus, there is a process of «pseudo- urbanization» characteristic of the Soviet economic and social system, superimposed on the process of «natural» urbanization. By natural urbanization we mean the process related to economic development and to the natural difference between rural and urban ways of life. The specificity, the structural changes and the hierarchy of city functions shape the migration flows conditioned by natural urbanization. «Pseudo-urbanization» points to «the scum» of the process, that may complete the economic and socially conditioned urbanization. The «pseudo-urbanization» is generated by a disproportionate development of the country's economic structure (hypertrophie share of industry; economic and political reforms have triggered off a massive flow of the peasantry towards the cities, related not with the rising but with the lowering of labour efficiency in agriculture, with impoverishment of the countryside and hence with the urge towards the centres of relative well-being), and by the territorial inequalities in standards of living, artificially created and maintained by the institution of passports and registration.

The suburbanization of population cannot be observed in the MCR. The centripetal tendencies mentioned above resulted in rapid growth of Moscow and its suburbs, as well as in some stagnation of its periphery. Thus Moscow agglomeration is now in the first stage of development, the stage of «crawling» concentration where centrifugal forces are very weak. This situation will last as long as the barrier in terms of standards of living exists between Moscow and Moscow oblast.

Conclusions

This study has reaffirmed the general lack of suburbanization in the Soviet cities. Some signs of suburbanization like the

transfer of some activities from Moscow to the suburbs, the concentration of population in towns and villages near the central

city and commuting, differ significantly pie and firms will emancipate, only if the from the Western cities. The process of ur- existing political and economic system in banization will take its normal course, peo- the USSR is dismantled.

Argumenty i facty, 1988, N47, p. 2 Argumenty i facty, 1988, N50, p. 3

GLUSHKOVA V.G. Questions of Interrelated Settlement in Moscow and the Moscow Region, Problems of Geography, vol. 131, Moscow, 1988, pp. 40-56.

GRITSAY O.V. Western Europe : Regional Contrasts at the New Stage of Scientific-Technological Progress, Moscow, 1988, 148 p.

Moscow in Figures. 1980, Moscow, 1981, 220 p. Moscow in Figures. 1985, Moscow, 1986, 240 p.

National Economy of Moscow Oblast. 1981-1985, Moscow, 1986, 271 p.

National Economy of the ussr. 1985, Moscow, 1986, 421 p. Yearbook of Labour Statistics. 1987, Geneva, 1987, 960 p.

Moscow Capital Region: Territorial Structure and Natural Environment, Moscow, 1988, 321 p.

(1) Limiters are unskilled workers, hired in an organised way by Moscow firms; after working there for several years of working they get the right to register

their passports and to take up their residence in Moscow.

Argentina Market Analysts See Chance of Another Rate Cut

FILE PHOTO: Argentina's President Javier Milei waves to supporters outside the Cabildo during the commemoration of the 214th anniversary of the May Revolution, in Cordoba, Argentina May 25, 2024. REUTERS/Leandro Bustamante Gomez/File Photo

BUENOS AIRES (Reuters) - Argentine analysts expect the country's central bank to again cut its benchmark interest rate following a bond tender set for Wednesday that is worth billions of dollars and signs that sky-high inflation could slow again this month.

Analysts expect a 10-percentage-point cut that would bring the rate down to 30% from the current 40%. If realized, it would mark the seventh rate cut since libertarian President Javier Milei took office last December, when it stood at 133%.

WHY IT IS IMPORTANT

Argentina is battling its worst economic crisis in decades with annualized inflation hovering near 300% - the highest in the world - and over half its population in poverty, while the new government pushes a harsh austerity drive.

As part of its bid to shore up liquidity, Argentina's treasury is expected later on Wednesday to tender three so-called "Lecaps" bonds for up to 3.5 trillion pesos ($3.92 billion).

"I think a rate cut could happen after the accelerated transfer of liabilities to Lecaps," said Gustavo Ber, an independent economist. "It would be an additional incentive to ensure interest-bearing liabilities quickly disappear, as part of the central bank's strategy to clean up its balance sheet."

Romano Group analyst Salvador Vitelli predicted the benchmark rate would stabilize around 30%, though Adcap's Sebastian Azumendi warned a cut would be "a bit risky." "It is good for lowering monetary liabilities, but at the same time they are left defenseless in the event of a run on the dollar," he said.

(Reporting by Walter Bianchi and Hernan Nessi; Editing by Paul Simao)

Copyright 2024 Thomson Reuters .

Tags: Argentina , South America

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