Median pay: $64,500
Top pay: $97,400
10-year job growth: 28%
Total jobs: 60,000
The job:
Competition among tech companies is heating up as firms race to discover, build and release the next big thing. As a market research analyst you'll analyze a variety of consumer data to help your company determine the potential demand and appropriate price for a product during the research and development phase. Market research analysts have helped companies like Microsoft, Apple and Google come up with their most innovative products.
How to switch:
Market research analysts need a varied skill set, including strong quantitative capabilities, as well as insight into consumer behavior. If you have a strong analytical background, consider a master's degree in integrated marketing. If you need to build your quantitative chops, an advanced degree in statistics should help.
Quality of life ratings:
| Personal satisfaction |
Benefit to society |
Low stress |
Flexibility |
| B |
C |
C |
B |
By Jessica Dickler, Anne C. Lee and Greg Swiatek
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