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Boston Career Explorer

Life, Physical, and Social Science

Survey Researchers

Plan, develop, or conduct surveys. May analyze and interpret the meaning of survey data, determine survey objectives, or suggest or test question wording. Includes social scientists who primarily design questionnaires or supervise survey teams.

Also called: Data Analyst, Market Survey Representative, Research Associate, Research Fellow, Research Interviewer, Research Scientist

Median pay in Greater Boston
$74,890
$36.01/hr
Jobs in Greater Boston
150
Massachusetts 2024–2034
Not published
Typical U.S. entry requirement
Master's degree

Greater Boston: Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH metro area, May 2025. Growth and openings: Massachusetts statewide projection.

Pay range in Greater Boston

Yearly pay in Greater Boston by percentile
10th25thMedian75th90th
$43,730$58,390$74,890$81,240$91,240

10% of workers earn less than the first figure and 10% earn more than the last.

What you’d do

  • Conduct surveys and collect data, using methods such as interviews, questionnaires, focus groups, market analysis surveys, public opinion polls, literature reviews, and file reviews.
  • Prepare and present summaries and analyses of survey data, including tables, graphs, and fact sheets that describe survey techniques and results.
  • Consult with clients to identify survey needs and specific requirements, such as special samples.
  • Determine and specify details of survey projects, including sources of information, procedures to be used, and the design of survey instruments and materials.
  • Support, plan, and coordinate operations for single or multiple surveys.
  • Monitor and evaluate survey progress and performance, using sample disposition reports and response rate calculations.

AI and this job

AI exposure: how much of this job’s work AI tools can do or help with, based on national research. It is not a forecast of job loss.

Higher exposure94 of 100

The index averages three national research measures, each shown as a percentile of all jobs:

  • AIOE 97
  • Language-model AIOE 86
  • GPTs-are-GPTs 100

Observed AI use today: Substantial (Anthropic Economic Index)

Survey researchers have higher AI exposure, and observed AI use is already substantial. Federal projections note that data collection is moving to mobile and automated methods, which may reduce the share of these jobs. Working with clients and deciding what a survey needs rely more on people.

Likely to change

  • Collecting survey data by automated methods
  • Building tables, graphs, and summaries

Still relies on people

  • Consulting with clients about survey needs
  • Designing surveys and coordinating survey teams

What federal projections say

“Productivity change - share decreases as data collection increasingly occurs via mobile technologies and automated techniques.”
BLS Employment Projections 2025–35, factors affecting this job (U.S.)

Written with AI from the data on this page. Check with a career coach before making a decision.

Next steps from here

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Training near Boston

College and school programs in the Boston metro area that lead to this job, with 2023-24 completions (IPEDS).

22 programs near Boston (plus 17 graduate)

Related occupations

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