Research and analysis careers (With Pay)

There are major opportunities to think about if you’re seeking a position that enables you to carry out research, learn new things, and advance your field. Individuals who like applying their aptitude for data analysis can discover employment that allows them to progress both professionally and in their fields. Investigating your possibilities might assist you in choosing a professional path that meets your objectives. This post examines some research and analysis careers, their national average pay, and their main responsibilities.

What do research and analysis careers entail?

Research and analysis careers entail gathering and evaluating data to fully comprehend a condition, hypothesis, or event. Researchers can find employment in a wide range of sectors, including:

  • Laboratory science
  • Business
  • Engineering
  • Manufacturing
  • Medical science
  • Technology
  • Communications and Social science

The tasks involved in research and analysis careers can vary depending on the sector, type of company, and amount of experience. Typical tasks include:

  • Collecting information using participant questionnaires, sample sizes, and published papers market analysis
  • Selecting the most appropriate research methods
  • Creating and evaluating hypotheses
  • Using tools and equipment for the study
  • Executing tests and carrying out experiments
  • Developing fresh tests
  • Recording findings and observations
  • Creating outcome reports
  • Presenting findings to stakeholders or at conventions
  • Publishing reports and academic papers

Research and analysis careers

To help you choose a career, below are some research and analysis careers:

1. A market researcher

National average yearly salary: $55,141

Primary responsibilities: Market research analysts in research and analysis careers assess market circumstances to assist businesses in choosing an audience and the products or services they want to offer to that market. To assist the marketing team in creating strategies for promoting the company’s goods and services, they keep an eye on current market trends and forecast consumers’ upcoming purchase patterns. To convey their findings to their clients and colleagues, they also develop market research techniques like polls and questionnaires, collect data from the responses, and interpret the data into graphs, charts, and reports.

2. A forensic expert

National average yearly salary: $60,314

Primary responsibilities: Forensic scientists in research and analysis careers collaborate with law enforcement to gather evidence from crime sites and analyze it in a lab. They look at samples like bodily secretions, fingerprints, weapons that were left at the scene, and hairs and other small pieces of evidence. Following that, forensic scientists seek to recreate what happened at the crime site, such as how it unfolded as well as who might have committed it, using the findings of their research. In court proceedings, they occasionally give testimony about their study to assist jurors in rendering a judgment on the suspect’s participation.

3. An archaeologist

National average yearly salary: $61,128

Primary responsibilities: Archaeologists in research and analysis careers research objects from the current and ancient past. They take items from archaeological digs and analyze them in labs using their extensive scientific knowledge. Archaeologists research past climatic trends and other environmental issues that had an impact on living throughout specific historical periods to comprehend the age and importance of the artifacts they examine. People can learn about history from the beginning of time, encompassing cultures, civilizations, and habits, thanks to their study and studies.

4. A business analyst

National average yearly salary: $74,906

Primary responsibilities: Business analysts’ work involves assisting organizations in enhancing their operations, procedures, and software to achieve their objectives and aims. They pinpoint areas that need improvement and design effective strategies that might increase sales. Additionally, business analysts in research and analysis careers develop plans for increasing worker productivity, develop plans for maximizing IT resources, and keep track of project progress. They handle and oversee needs in a challenging, contemporary corporate environment.

5. A biologist

National average yearly salary: $79,749

Primary responsibilities: A biologist in research and analysis careers examines living organisms such as animals, humans, plants, and microorganisms to learn how they function as well as how the surroundings and other environmental events influence them. They research species in their natural environments and might also gather samples for cellular analysis in labs. Based on the kinds of research topics they hope to address, biologists typically select a specialization within the field. Also, they might carry out a basic study to comprehend living things or apply research to create or enhance procedures in one of the numerous fields of biology.

6. A historian

National average yearly salary: $83,973

Primary responsibilities: Historians in research and analysis careers study texts and artifacts from various historical periods to learn about previous events and judge their relevance now. They gather tales, documents, and other material using historical documents, or sources of knowledge produced during the era the historian analyzes. These collections aid in their ability to see trends and comprehend particular periods. They utilize their research to educate the public about the causes of current events and how historical events can be used to inform present-day decision-making.

7. Scientist

National average yearly salary: $92,048

Primary responsibilities: Scientists in research and analysis careers examine ideas or procedures in their field, like physics, chemistry, or physiology, using traditional research techniques. Scientists use experimentation to identify patterns and determine correlations between various data sources that aid in problem-solving or the advancement of their research. They conduct their experiments using specialized tools, and they might collaborate with others to tackle certain research topics as a group. After examining their findings, they produce reports that they can utilize for current research or add to the body of knowledge that is utilized by other scientists.

8. A Psychologist

National average yearly salary: $94,568

Primary responsibilities: Psychologists in research and analysis careers research human mental mechanisms to prevent, detect, and cure psychiatric diseases. The majority of psychologists use the results of ongoing research to assist their patients in understanding their psychiatric requirements and developing treatment strategies that will help them control their illnesses. Psychologists frequently work with a particular group of people, like children or inmates of prisons. They participate in continuing education courses to keep apprised of market developments and new research, and to incorporate cutting-edge medicines into their patient care strategies.

9. A pharmacist

National average yearly salary: $99,183

Primary responsibilities: Pharmacologists in research and analysis careers investigate new methods of producing pharmaceuticals utilizing chemical substances and analyze their safety and efficacy before releasing them to the market. They evaluate how a pharmaceutical substance might absorb, react, and degrade inside the human body to cure a medical issue using their knowledge of biology and chemistry. Pharmacologists may seek volunteers to test novel drugs after completing extensive research investigations. They can develop standard dosages and secure usage guidelines thanks to the information they obtain during the testing phase.

10. An economist

National average yearly salary: $109,115

Primary responsibilities: Economists in research and analysis careers acquire data that indicates the methods used in the manufacturing and distribution of products and services to analyze economic issues and trends. They frequently design surveys and use specialist software and statistical and mathematical techniques to assess the results. Afterward, economists consolidate the data into both written and graphic reports and utilize them to tell organizations about employment patterns, wage growth, and other aspects of the economy so that they may better understand how the state of the economy is affecting their industry. They also provide economic statistics to government organizations so they can create policies and laws.

11. A research assistant

National average yearly salary: $39,600

Primary responsibilities: A research assistant’s main responsibilities include acquiring and arranging information and data from various sources while working on a research team. Also, they could assist with resource coordination, experiment or test execution, report or presentation preparation, fact-checking, paper proofreading, equipment maintenance, and other administrative duties as required. Specific responsibilities can vary because these research specialists in research and analysis careers may work with teams in a variety of fields, including medicine, law, science, business, and academia.

12. Actuary

National average yearly salary: $113,382

Primary responsibilities: An actuary determines how various events will impact a company’s profit to estimate the potential risk of financial operations in the insurance sector. To learn more about the market’s appetite for insurance, they frequently interact with market research analysts. Actuaries in research and analysis careers utilize the data they uncover to build hypothetical scenarios that show the amount an insurance provider would pay in cases of particular events, like diseases or accidents. Next, depending on what they decide to be the least hazardous course of action, they issue insurance policies and set rates.

13. A research technician

National average yearly salary: $40,480

Primary responsibilities: A research technician’s main responsibilities include operating equipment and instruments during tests, experiments, or data gathering, analyzing data, and reporting findings. Also, they keep track of a stock of testing materials and samples, cleanse, maintain, and calibrate equipment, and work with managers and other researchers to choose research approaches. These research specialists in research and analysis careers may do a variety of tasks, and they frequently work in forensic, scientific, or medical settings.

14. Coordinator of clinical research

National average yearly salary: $68,413

Primary responsibilities: As a medical research expert, a clinical research coordinator is responsible for managing all stages of medical research for clinical studies of drugs or medical devices. They obtain funds, distribute resources, select and oversee participants, maintain all paperwork, develop a budget, and conduct cost analyses. Clinical research coordinators in research and analysis careers also work with research teams to make sure the trial follows safety and ethical guidelines and remains on time and within budget.

15. Research analyst

National average yearly salary: $63,585

Primary responsibilities: A research analyst in research and analysis careers gathers data on market trends, business operations, finance and accounting, macroeconomics, customer profiles, and other information relevant to the sector in which they work. They may do a variety of tasks according to the company, but generally speaking, they use spreadsheet and quantitative analysis tools to forecast shifts in patterns, detect trends, and offer suggestions to decision-makers.

16. Food scientist

National average yearly salary: $71,825

Primary responsibilities: A food technologist, who is also referred to as a food scientist, is in charge of supervising each stage of the creation of food items. They also examine nutritional information, write nutritional information and product specifications, and make sure that all goods comply with U.S. Department of Agriculture rules. These individuals in research and analysis careers, who tend to work for food manufacturing firms, are in charge of making sure that the teams and facilities used for food production adhere to legal requirements, gather information about market trends, competitive analysis, and customer reviews, and uphold high standards for the safety and quality of the products.

17. Mathematician

National average yearly salary: $93,173

Primary responsibilities: A mathematician uses sophisticated mathematics and technologies to design models and scientific equations, discover completely undiscovered links between preexisting principles, analyze numerical or statistical patterns, and develop models that answer real-world issues. These specialists in research and analysis careers often operate in scientific settings for governmental organizations, research organizations, educational institutions, or for-profit corporations. Mathematicians may work together on teams with researchers, architects, scientists, physicists, actuaries, and research analysts in some professional settings.

18. Engineer in R&D

National average yearly salary: $94,363

Primary responsibilities: A research and development (R&D) engineer works with engineers, design and development experts, marketers, and manufacturers to create new products and remodel existing ones to increase a company’s capacity to draw clients and satisfy consumer demands. These experts in research and analysis careers make dimensioned sketches of product designs, collaborate with engineering, sales, manufacturing, and marketing teams to generate product concepts, build mockups and prototypes, oversee product development initiatives, and analyze market trends, rival products, and consumer demands.

19. Research psychologist

National average yearly salary: $97,687

Primary responsibilities: The main responsibilities of a research psychologist are to investigate the cognitive, affective, and mental health processes that occur in the human brain. Their responsibilities could vary, but frequently include creating research studies on particular topics or conditions in psychology, carrying out ethical experimentations, administering psych evaluations and performing subject interviews, documenting and analyzing observations, reviewing data, concluding, and publishing or presenting their findings. These experts in research and analysis careers generally work in research facilities, academic institutions, healthcare centers, government entities, and corporations.

20. Research scientist

National average yearly salary: $107,217

Primary responsibilities: The main responsibilities of a research scientist in research and analysis careers are to design and carry out laboratory-based studies, gather samples, proof, or data, document observations, document results, and publish and share their results. They can operate in chemistry, technology, medical technology, and food chemistry, among other sectors. Based on where they operate, they could also supervise groups of researchers and associates, run tests using instruments and equipment, and teach new research workers about methodology, tools, and processes.

21. Data scientist

National average yearly salary: $120,122

Primary responsibilities: A data scientist in research and analysis careers gathers, analyzes, and evaluates data, uses predictive methods, scientific equations, and algorithms for large datasets, and makes conclusions for companies and organizations. They also use AI and machine learning to give decision-makers data-based suggestions and produce visualizations to present results to stakeholders or to be included in open reports.

22. Logistics manager

National average yearly salary: $53,999

Primary responsibilities: A logistics supervisor is in charge of a company’s planning and organization processes. Businesses that manufacture items or merchandise, work primarily in warehouses or sizable storage facilities. They plan delivery and transportation, as well as the intricacies of product storage. Inventory and employee schedules are also managed by logistics supervisors in research and analysis careers.

23. Chemical engineer

National average yearly salary: $65,222

Primary responsibilities: Chemical engineers in research and analysis careers are experts in the production of chemicals; hence their main responsibilities fall under this category. They develop and produce materials that are utilized to enhance medical technology, food transport, environmental safety and health, and the preservation or delivery of medicines. Individuals that work in this industry are knowledgeable in chemistry, math, biology, and physics, and they employ their analytical abilities to come up with answers to global issues.

24. Financial analyst

National average yearly salary: $71,427

Primary responsibilities: The main responsibilities of a financial analyst are to provide businesses and institutions with financial advice. They research stock market movements and evaluate the worth of bonds, IPOs, stocks, and other investments. These analysts in research and analysis careers frequently work for banks, hedge funds, or insurance firms. They must be adept mathematic thinkers and problem solvers. They frequently analyze financial information and anticipate future revenue as part of their duties.

25. Data analyst

National average yearly salary: $75,209

Primary responsibilities: The main responsibilities of a data analyst are to examine data from a range of industries to increase productivity, efficiency, or both. Their work aids in the strategic decision-making of corporate leaders about business strategy, recruiting, investment, and project design. Typically, successful data analysts in research and analysis careers have a bachelor’s or master’s degree in analytics or mathematics.

26. Chemist

National average yearly salary: $78,027

Primary responsibilities: The main responsibilities of a chemist in research and analysis careers are to study matter and its molecular and atomic features. To assess the impact and worth of chemical compounds, they conduct studies and tests. Inventions and discoveries in medical, consumer products, and agriculture are influenced by their employment and academic findings. Their daily tasks include running tests, using software, and recording results in books or digital databases.

27. Data analytics expert

National average yearly salary: $88,930

Primary responsibilities: An analyst who works for a consulting company or on their own has the title of data analytics consultant. They strive to gather and analyze business data to boost productivity, efficiency, and overall revenue. A data analytics expert creates easily digestible reports and infographics and presents their findings visually. People in this position typically have extensive experience as well as a master’s degree in business management or data analytics.

28. Operations analyst

National average yearly salary: $78,294

Primary responsibilities: An operations analyst in research and analysis careers is a specialist who assesses corporate processes and business models. To collect and analyze operational data, they undertake internal research, keep an eye on workflow, and perform audits. A bachelor’s or master’s degree in a field such as business administration, statistics, or consumer science is typically required for employment in this profession.

29. A capacity manager

National average yearly salary: $81,279

Primary responsibilities: The main responsibilities of a capacity manager in a corporation are to make sure that output productivity and organizational productivity are maximized. To maximize capacity in all areas of business and operations, their duties include acquiring and creating data, producing business models, and analyzing job characteristics and organizational design. Careers in this profession demand a bachelor’s degree and occasionally need a master’s degree.

30. Strategic project manager

National average yearly salary: $86,904

Primary responsibilities: A strategic project manager’s main responsibilities include designing and overseeing project objectives for the entire company. To guarantee that initiatives, strategies, and projects support long-term organizational success, they oversee team leaders and program managers.

Their everyday responsibilities include gathering data, working with less senior employees, and creating or revising plans or projects. They also use reports, documentation, or presentations to convey their findings. An undergraduate or graduate degree in business management or analytics is required to work as a strategic project manager.

Academic prerequisites

A systematic study known as research requires students to gather, arrange, analyze, and evaluate data utilizing a variety of research approaches. A job in research necessitates in-depth subject knowledge and commitment. Applicants need a strong academic foundation to succeed in this sector; a bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral degree can fully prepare someone to walk down this road.

A master’s degree (research courses) or a doctorate is typically necessary for research roles. Yet, you may be able to get entry-level employment with a bachelor’s degree as a junior research associate, research assistant, etc. With a master’s degree, a student can work as a survey researcher in a government or commercial organization. Applicants who want to pursue a career in market research must complete an internship with a major corporation.

Range of a Research Career

You can work in a variety of fields if you choose a career in research. The industries that attract researchers are listed below:

  • Educational Establishments
  • Governmental Bodies
  • Labs in Industry
  • Corporate Organizations
  • Hospitals
  • Insurance Businesses
  • Private businesses and sectors

Conclusion

The compensation and perks for work in an analytical sector are frequently excellent. Also, there are many options available to you in terms of the industry you wish to work in, such as technology, finance, chemical engineering, or business analysis.

The majority of these industries will expand in the upcoming years. Software development, for example, is predicted to rise by 22% between 2020 and 2030, which is significantly faster than the national average for every job.

Frequently Asked Questions about research and analysis careers

  • What professions require research?

For individuals who want to work in research, there are a ton of opportunities. These are a few of the well-known positions in research:

Information and computer research scientists, historians, medical scientists, sociologists, associates in research, and Food and agricultural scientist

  • How can I pursue a career in research?

You must have a master’s degree with a concentration on research or a doctorate in your area of interest to work as a researcher. Additionally, previous employment experience as a research assistant or working on diverse research projects is also desirable.

  • What are the benefits of a research career?

A job in research is ideal for those who want to go further into a particular topic, explore uncharted territory, and work to advance the discipline they study.