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Data & network

Market research data analyst

Market research data analysts study statistics and information collected through surveys.

Annual Salary

£22,000 to £60,000

Average UK salary in 2022 was £33,200
(source Office for National Statistics)

Working hours

37 to 39 a week

You could work: evenings; occasionally

2.9%
Future employment

There will be 2.9% more Market research data analyst jobs in 2027.

Day to day tasks

In your day-to-day duties you may:

  • speak to clients to understand their needs
  • write proposals, describing how research will be carried out
  • manage relationships with clients
  • advise researchers about survey methods and design
  • project-manage teams
  • check the quality of the data collected
  • analyse the data using statistical software programs and computer models
  • present results in a useful way, through talks, written reports, graphs and tables
  • explain findings to market research executives

Working environment

You could work in an office.

You can get into this job through:

  • a university course
  • a college course
  • an apprenticeship
  • working towards this role
  • a graduate training scheme
  • specialist courses run by professional bodies
University

You'll usually need a degree or postgraduate qualification that includes data analysis, like:

  • maths and statistics
  • marketing and analytics
  • business and marketing
  • data science

Some market researchers focus on understanding what customers think and feel to give insight into products and services. Relevant degree subjects for this role include psychology, social sciences and sociology.

If you want to specialise in an area like medical or economic market research, you'll find it useful to have a postgraduate master's degree or PhD in statistics or applied statistics.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • 2 or 3 A levels, or equivalent, including maths
  • a degree in a relevant subject for postgraduate study
For more information
College

You may be able to apply for a junior analyst position with a company after doing a T Level in Digital Business Services.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths for a T level
For more information
Apprenticeship

You may be able to start by doing a Data Analyst Level 4 Higher Apprenticeship, or a Social Researcher Level 6 Degree Apprenticeship.

These can take 2 years to 3 years and 6 months to complete.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) and A levels, or equivalent, for a higher or degree apprenticeship
For more information
Work

You could start as a research assistant, and move into statistical work after getting more experience and doing qualifications on the job.

The Market Research Society offers training courses at different levels, depending on your job role and responsibilities.

Other routes

You could apply for a place on a graduate training scheme with a market research company and start as a junior analyst. You'll need a relevant degree or postgraduate qualification to apply.

You could get a marketing qualification like those offered by The Chartered Institute of Marketing, which often include a market research focus.

More information

Career tips

Knowledge of social media analytics will be useful.

Professional and industry bodies

You could join the Royal Statistical Society and The Market Research Society, for professional recognition and training opportunities.

Further information

You can find out more about working in market research from:The Market Research Society; Royal Statistical Society; Social Research Association

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With experience, you could progress into management, or become a self-employed market research consultant.

Skills required and how your skills match up

What skills are required?

You'll need:

  • analytical thinking skills
  • to be thorough and pay attention to detail
  • the ability to use your initiative
  • excellent verbal communication skills
  • customer service skills
  • maths knowledge
  • ambition and a desire to succeed
  • business management skills
  • persistence and determination
  • to be able to use a computer and the main software packages confidently
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