SalaryByCity

Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists vs Retail Salespersons: Salary Comparison (2024)

Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.

Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists

$76,950

Median annual salary

861,140 employed nationally

Retail Salespersons

$34,580

Median annual salary

3,800,250 employed nationally

Which Career Pays More?

Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists professionals earn $42,370 more per year than Retail Salespersons professionals — that's 122.5% higher. At the 90th percentile, Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists earns $144,610 compared to $47,930 for Retail Salespersons.

Salary Range Comparison

Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists$42,070 – $144,610
Retail Salespersons$25,600 – $47,930
$25,600$144,610

Detailed Salary Comparison

PercentileMarket Research Analysts and Marketing SpecialistsRetail SalespersonsDifference
10th Percentile$42,070$25,600+$16,470
25th Percentile$56,220$29,140+$27,080
Median (50th)$76,950$34,580+$42,370
75th Percentile$104,870$37,850+$67,020
90th Percentile$144,610$47,930+$96,680
Mean (Average)$86,480$37,150+$49,330

Employment Numbers

Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists

861,140

employed nationwide

Retail Salespersons

3,800,250

employed nationwide

Top Paying Cities

Best Cities for Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists

CityMedian
San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA$139,140
San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA$124,840
Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA$102,390
New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA$97,360
Boston-Cambridge-Nashua, MA-NH$95,930

Best Cities for Retail Salespersons

CityMedian
San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA$43,040
San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA$42,490
Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA$39,180
Denver-Aurora-Lakewood, CO$37,500
New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA$37,350

Frequently Asked Questions

Who earns more: Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists or Retail Salespersons?
Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $42,370 (122.5% higher) as of 2024 BLS data.
What is the salary range for Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists?
Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists salaries range from $42,070 (10th percentile) to $144,610 (90th percentile), with a median of $76,950.
What is the salary range for Retail Salespersons?
Retail Salespersons salaries range from $25,600 (10th percentile) to $47,930 (90th percentile), with a median of $34,580.
How many Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists and Retail Salespersons jobs are there?
There are approximately 861,140 Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists positions and 3,800,250 Retail Salespersons positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Retail Salespersons to Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists has a median salary of $76,950 while Retail Salespersons earns $34,580. Consider job satisfaction, growth prospects, required education, and work-life balance.

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Data verified March 2026 · Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS