Why Consider a Career in Survey Methodology?

Graduates at the Masters and PhD levels are in high demand in the job market. Government agencies, such as those in the U. S. federal statistical system (e.g., Bureau of the Census, Bureau of Labor Statistics) spend approximately $4 billion annually on economic and social information collection and dissemination and employ 12,000 staff. The commercial sector presents job opportunities in survey research firms and market research, with annual gross revenues of $10-15 billion and more than 45,000 technical staff. Academic survey centers and, recently, survey methodology education programs, seek staff and faculty with specialization in survey methodology.

What Kind of Work Do Survey Methodologists Do?

Survey methods change and are created as they are applied to an increasingly wide range of topics, and as new technologies develop that can be adapted to the collection of data. Survey methodology is a dynamic field where new challenges arise all the time, and bright, talented individuals are needed to develop and test new methods.

Our alumni are working at places like Market Strategies International, Research Triangle International, Princeton Survey Research Associates International, NORC, the University of Michigan's Survey Research Operations and the University of Nebraska.
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What Kind of Background Is Needed to Work in This Field?

Survey methodology is a field where individuals with interests and training as diverse as statistics and the study of human and social behavior may use their talents. Wide interests and background in many disciplines may be suitable. It is important to keep in mind, though, that whatever the background, survey methodology is a quantitative research method, and preparation in some topics in mathematics is going to be useful.

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What Is the Job Market Like for Survey Methodologists?

Individuals holding Masters and PhD degrees in statistical and social sciences with training in survey methodology are in high demand. Jobs are available in government, academe, and private industry.
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What Are the Salaries Like?

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports the median annual wage-and-salary earnings of statisticians were $69,900 in May 2007. The middle 50 percent earned between $50,520 and $91,840. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $38,140, while the highest 10 percent earned more than $112,880.
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