Business & Finance

Market Research Analyst

🇺🇸 US 🇬🇧 UK 🇦🇺 AU 🇨🇦 CA

Live job postings

as of 15 Aug 2026

Demand index

0.00%

% of all job postings

Median salary

$40k

$40,000

Salary range

$40k – $40k

$40,000 – $40,000

Trend analysis & outlook

The UK market research analyst job market shows a clear demand surge in late 2025 and early 2026, with monthly postings rising from 50,295 in August 2025 to 57,699 in January 2026, a 14.7% increase, coupled with a hot index peaking at 94 in December 2025 and January 2026. However, postings then dropped sharply to 41,313 in February 2026 and 40,333 in March 2026, before recovering to 47,666 in May 2026, and plummeting to just 27 postings in June and July 2026, with market share falling to 0.003% in July. The median salary of ~$30,000 (~£24,000) is relatively low compared to similar data roles, suggesting a cost-sensitive hiring environment. Recent news highlights a strong need for advanced data science skills to stay relevant, as AI automates basic tasks. The near-term outlook is uncertain and volatile, with potential contraction or seasonal effects; candidates should focus on acquiring data analytics specializations and targeting resilient sectors like healthcare and technology to mitigate risks.

Subscribers only

Unlock trend charts, salary details, and full market analysis.

Subscribers only

Unlock trend charts, salary details, and full market analysis.

Salary distribution

Subscribers only

Unlock trend charts, salary details, and full market analysis.

Core skills employers ask for

Data Analysis & InterpretationStatistical Analysis (SPSS, R, Python)Market Research Methodologies (Surveys, Focus Groups)Data Visualization (Tableau, Power BI)Critical Thinking & Problem SolvingCommunication & ReportingBusiness Acumen & StrategySQL & Database ManagementConsumer Behavior KnowledgeExcel & Spreadsheet ModelingProject ManagementDigital Analytics Tools (Google Analytics)

AI impact on this career

AI is significantly reshaping the market research analyst role in the UK. Automated data collection and natural language processing are handling routine survey analysis and sentiment extraction, reducing time spent on manual data cleaning. However, AI cannot replace the strategic interpretation of results within a business context, and analysts who combine AI-generated insights with domain expertise will remain valuable. The threat of full automation is low for senior roles requiring nuanced recommendation development, but junior-level tasks like basic chart creation are increasingly automated. Analysts must upskill in AI tool management and critical evaluation of algorithmic outputs to stay relevant.

What's happening in the market

Recent headlines emphasize a growing integration of data science skills into market research roles, with AI and automation shifting the focus from manual analysis to strategic interpretation. The rise of data science and business analytics programs signals that employers increasingly value advanced quantitative abilities, while articles on AI replacement caution that routine analytical tasks may be automated, but demand for human judgment in applying insights remains strong. For UK market research analysts, this means upskilling in data analytics and AI is critical to remaining competitive.

Subscribers only

Unlock trend charts, salary details, and full market analysis.