How long does the training take?

Typically about four years for the degree. That is the usual route rather than a rule — people arrive by other paths all the time.

Do you need a degree for this work?

Yes — a degree is the usual way in.

Where can you train for this work?

1,098 US colleges, community colleges and trade schools award credentials in a matching program. See which ones →

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Market research analysts and marketing specialists: pay, training and the programs that lead there

Business & finance · SOC 13-1161

$78,760US median pay, 2025

+7%Projected growth, 2025–35

82,000Openings per year

DegreeUsual way in

How you get in

A degree is the usual way in.

Bachelor's degree
Work in: market research analysts and marketing specialists

Programs that lead to this job

These are the federal program codes (CIP) that the Department of Education maps to this occupation, and how many US colleges, community colleges or trade schools report awarding credentials in each.

Program	Code	Schools
Marketing/Marketing Management, General	CIP 52.1401	956
Business Analytics	CIP 30.7102	121
Marketing, Other	CIP 52.1499	80
Digital Marketing	CIP 52.1404	72
Apparel and Textile Marketing Management	CIP 19.0905	39
Applied Economics	CIP 45.0602	36
Marketing Research	CIP 52.1402	27
Tourism and Travel Services Marketing Operations	CIP 52.1905	16
International Marketing	CIP 52.1403	12
Consumer Merchandising/Retailing Management	CIP 19.0203	9
Apparel and Accessories Marketing Operations	CIP 52.1904	9
Special Products Marketing Operations	CIP 52.1909	8
Hospitality and Recreation Marketing Operations	CIP 52.1910	7
Tourism Promotion Operations	CIP 52.1906	4
Vehicle and Vehicle Parts and Accessories Marketing Operations	CIP 52.1907	4
Business and Personal/Financial Services Marketing Operations	CIP 52.1908	4

See the 1,098 schools that offer these programs →

Common questions

How long does the training take?: Typically about four years for the degree. That is the usual route rather than a rule — people arrive by other paths all the time.
How much do market research analysts and marketing specialists make?: The US median is $78,760 a year, meaning half earn more and half less. Pay varies widely by state, employer and experience.
Do you need a degree for this work?: Yes — a degree is the usual way in.
Where can you train for this work?: 1,098 US colleges, community colleges and trade schools award credentials in a matching program. See which ones →

Pay and growth are national figures. What you earn depends on where you work, your employer and your experience, and these are projections rather than promises. Education requirements describe how most people enter the job, not a rule — plenty of people take another route.

Pay, growth, openings and entry requirements: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections 2025–35. Program-to-occupation mapping: NCES CIP–SOC crosswalk (2020/2018). School counts: IPEDS completions, 2022–23.

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