Top 15 cities for survey researchers by average salary
| San Francisco, CA | $142,860 |
|---|---|
| San Jose, CA | $127,690 |
| Detroit, MI | $111,760 |
| Ann Arbor, MI | $101,790 |
| Washington, DC | $101,780 |
| New Haven, CT | $100,610 |
| Charlotte, NC | $96,130 |
| Denver, CO | $92,510 |
| New York, NY | $92,340 |
| Minneapolis, MN | $90,030 |
| Albany, NY | $89,840 |
| Los Angeles, CA | $87,710 |
| Richmond, VA | $87,250 |
| San Diego, CA | $86,670 |
| Hartford, CT | $82,470 |
Map: Survey Researchers salary by metro area
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Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors.
Survey Researchers salary by state
Washington, D.C. pays survey researchers the most statewide, $121,060 a year on average. Statewide columns cover every employer in the state; city columns cover the metro areas we publish.
| State | Statewide average | Statewide median | Jobs | Metros | Highest city average | Lowest city average |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Washington, D.C. | $121,060 | $102,390 | 150 | 1 | $101,780 | $101,780 |
| New Jersey | $106,680 | $95,580 | 100 | 0 | n/a | n/a |
| Michigan | $103,410 | $101,550 | 150 | 2 | $111,760 | $101,790 |
| North Carolina | $102,230 | $96,560 | 350 | 1 | $96,130 | $96,130 |
| California | $102,180 | $83,520 | 1,180 | 4 | $142,860 | $86,670 |
| Utah | $101,930 | $79,090 | 50 | 0 | n/a | n/a |
| Minnesota | $98,450 | $104,220 | 340 | 1 | $90,030 | $90,030 |
| Wisconsin | $95,970 | $92,660 | 60 | 0 | n/a | n/a |
| Colorado | $93,840 | $89,870 | 110 | 1 | $92,510 | $92,510 |
| Maryland | $92,410 | $84,030 | 390 | 0 | n/a | n/a |
| Connecticut | $91,780 | $88,320 | 110 | 2 | $100,610 | $82,470 |
| New York | $90,370 | $86,890 | 380 | 2 | $92,340 | $89,840 |
| Virginia | n/a | n/a | n/a | 2 | $87,250 | $80,310 |
| Iowa | $82,010 | $83,170 | 90 | 0 | n/a | n/a |
| Wyoming | $79,550 | $84,360 | 40 | 0 | n/a | n/a |
| Washington | $75,960 | $69,590 | 130 | 1 | $77,650 | $77,650 |
| Illinois | $75,800 | $54,080 | 320 | 1 | $76,900 | $76,900 |
| Alaska | $74,640 | $70,560 | 40 | 0 | n/a | n/a |
| Oregon | $73,510 | $64,660 | 190 | 2 | $78,060 | $68,540 |
| Tennessee | $71,030 | $66,900 | 210 | 1 | $72,720 | $72,720 |
| Massachusetts | $68,860 | $74,890 | 160 | 1 | $68,990 | $68,990 |
| Ohio | $68,770 | $57,630 | 320 | 1 | $67,260 | $67,260 |
| Arizona | $68,740 | $59,210 | n/a | 1 | $74,030 | $74,030 |
| New Mexico | $67,260 | $61,380 | 130 | 1 | $63,330 | $63,330 |
| Missouri | $64,590 | $66,460 | 130 | 2 | $63,440 | $61,000 |
| Georgia | $62,640 | $51,590 | n/a | 0 | n/a | n/a |
| Nebraska | $60,890 | $64,530 | 210 | 1 | $73,900 | $73,900 |
| Oklahoma | $60,510 | $57,200 | 50 | 1 | $59,530 | $59,530 |
| Kansas | $57,760 | $57,700 | 210 | 0 | n/a | n/a |
| Pennsylvania | $57,090 | $63,310 | n/a | 0 | n/a | n/a |
| Maine | $50,540 | $47,330 | 60 | 1 | $50,460 | $50,460 |
| Texas | $47,730 | $47,330 | 680 | 2 | $53,260 | $40,910 |
Survey Researchers salary in every city we cover
Sort by any column. Each city links to its pay range, take-home pay and cost of living.
| Metro area | Average | Median | Hourly | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| San Francisco, CA | $142,860 | $110,540 | $68.69 | 180 |
| San Jose, CA | $127,690 | $109,350 | $61.39 | n/a |
| Detroit, MI | $111,760 | $83,190 | $53.73 | 40 |
| Ann Arbor, MI | $101,790 | $103,140 | $48.94 | 60 |
| Washington, DC | $101,780 | $97,780 | $48.94 | 620 |
| New Haven, CT | $100,610 | $98,570 | $48.37 | 30 |
| Charlotte, NC | $96,130 | $92,160 | $46.22 | 40 |
| Denver, CO | $92,510 | $77,500 | $44.48 | 60 |
| New York, NY | $92,340 | $87,620 | $44.40 | 190 |
| Minneapolis, MN | $90,030 | $87,570 | $43.29 | n/a |
| Albany, NY | $89,840 | $86,890 | $43.19 | 210 |
| Los Angeles, CA | $87,710 | $83,520 | $42.17 | 550 |
| Richmond, VA | $87,250 | $72,610 | $41.95 | 50 |
| San Diego, CA | $86,670 | $69,620 | $41.67 | 60 |
| Hartford, CT | $82,470 | $78,560 | $39.65 | 40 |
| Charlottesville, VA | $80,310 | $74,010 | $38.61 | 40 |
| Portland, OR | $78,060 | $64,460 | $37.53 | 100 |
| Seattle, WA | $77,650 | $69,590 | $37.33 | 110 |
| Chicago, IL | $76,900 | $54,080 | $36.97 | 310 |
| Phoenix, AZ | $74,030 | $59,210 | $35.59 | n/a |
| Omaha, NE | $73,900 | $67,780 | $35.53 | 60 |
| Nashville, TN | $72,720 | $70,400 | $34.96 | 100 |
| Boston, MA | $68,990 | $74,890 | $33.17 | 150 |
| Eugene, OR | $68,540 | $64,660 | $32.95 | 50 |
| Cincinnati, OH | $67,260 | $58,300 | $32.34 | 60 |
| Kansas City, MO | $63,440 | $69,100 | $30.50 | 100 |
| Albuquerque, NM | $63,330 | $60,820 | $30.45 | 80 |
| St. Louis, MO | $61,000 | $49,940 | $29.33 | 80 |
| Oklahoma City, OK | $59,530 | $57,200 | $28.62 | 50 |
| Houston, TX | $53,260 | $48,810 | $25.60 | 100 |
| Portland, ME | $50,460 | $45,350 | $24.26 | n/a |
| Dallas, TX | $40,910 | $37,500 | $19.67 | 260 |
Related jobs
- Clinical and Counseling PsychologistsU.S. average $112,750
- School PsychologistsU.S. average $99,160
- EconomistsU.S. average $142,130
- Urban and Regional PlannersU.S. average $94,750
- Anthropologists and ArcheologistsU.S. average $75,620
- HistoriansU.S. average $81,240
- Social Scientists and Related Workers, All OtherU.S. average $107,690
- Psychologists, All OtherU.S. average $111,210
Survey Researchers salary: questions
Where do survey researchers make the most money?
In San Francisco, CA, with an average of $142,860 a year, among the 32 metro areas we cover.
What is the average survey researchers salary in the U.S.?
$79,580 a year nationwide (BLS OEWS national estimates, May 2025); the median is $69,460, so half of survey researchers earn more than that and half less.
What salary should survey researchers ask for?
Start from the figures for your city: the middle half of survey researchers nationwide earn between $51,270 (25th percentile) and $99,760 (75th percentile). Newer workers usually start near the 25th percentile and experienced ones can ask for the 75th; each city page shows the local range. See how to read salary percentiles.
Which state pays survey researchers the most?
Washington, D.C., with a statewide average of $121,060 a year (BLS state estimates, May 2025).
Where is survey researchers pay the lowest?
Dallas, TX, at $40,910 a year on average. Lower pay often comes with lower prices: check the cost of living on each city page.
Sources and how to read this page
- Wages: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates for metropolitan areas. SOC code 19-3022.
- U.S. and statewide figures: BLS OEWS national and state estimates, May 2025, every employer including rural areas.
- Cost of living: Bureau of Economic Analysis regional price parities (RPP), 2024; 100 = U.S. average.
Read the full methodology. Spotted an error? Tell us.