Market research analyst: bachelor's with statistics and research methods, often a master's or MBA for leadership
Market research analysts typically need a bachelor's degree in market research or a related business, communications or social science field. Some employers require or prefer a master's degree, which is often required for leadership or more technical research jobs.
For: Curious people who like statistics, surveys and finding out why customers buy.
Route 1: Bachelor's with statistics and research methods → analyst Typical
Courses in statistics, research methods and marketing are important; economics and consumer behavior help too. An internship or volunteer research work may help.
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Start here
High school diploma
BLS
Market Research Analysts — How to Become OneU.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OOH)- Checked
- 20 Oct 2026
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About 4 years
Bachelor's in market research, business, communications or social science
BLS
Market Research Analysts — How to Become OneU.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OOH)- Checked
- 20 Oct 2026
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During college
Internship or volunteer research project
BLS
Market Research Analysts — How to Become OneU.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OOH)- Checked
- 20 Oct 2026
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Goal
Market research analyst
BLS
Market Research Analysts — How to Become OneU.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OOH)- Checked
- 20 Oct 2026
Route 2: Master's in marketing research, or an MBA Leadership and technical research
Several schools offer graduate programs in marketing research; some analysts earn a bachelor's in statistics or marketing and then an MBA.
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Start here
Bachelor's degree
BLS
Market Research Analysts — How to Become OneU.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OOH)- Checked
- 20 Oct 2026
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Exam gate
GMAT or GRE (for an MBA)
The GMAT has three sections (Quantitative Reasoning, Verbal Reasoning, Data Insights) and takes 2 hours 15 minutes.
GMAT and GRE exam pagesGMAC
GMAT exam structureGraduate Management Admission Council (GMAC), mba.com- Checked
- 21 Oct 2026
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Graduate
Master's in marketing research or MBA
BLS
Market Research Analysts — How to Become OneU.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OOH)- Checked
- 20 Oct 2026
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Goal
Senior or lead market research analyst
A master's degree is often required for leadership positions or more technical research.
BLS
Market Research Analysts — How to Become OneU.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OOH)- Checked
- 20 Oct 2026
- GRE instead of GMAT
- ETS calls the GRE General Test one test for graduate, business and law school, accepted at thousands of schools.
ETS
The GRE General TestETS- Checked
- 21 Oct 2026
Licenses, registrations and certifications
Each one is marked: a state or federal license is the law, a registration through an employer comes with the job, and a voluntary certification is one employers may ask for.
- Market research certification
Professional associations · Voluntary - Analysts may pursue it to demonstrate professional competency.
BLS
Market Research Analysts — How to Become OneU.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OOH)- Checked
- 20 Oct 2026
Where to go next
Every career page in this cluster: entry, license, BLS pay and outlook.
What the job is, BLS pay and job outlook, and how to become one.