Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists Salary
The median pay for a market research analysts and marketing specialists in Pennsylvania is $68,760/year ($33.06/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $34K at the entry level to $129K for experienced workers. Cost of living is below average (RPP 94.97), which stretches that salary to about $72,402 in buying power. Rent on a 2-bedroom averages $1,351/month, or 29.3% of estimated take-home pay.
Statewide average. Salary and cost of living vary significantly across Pennsylvania. Jump to a metro for precise data:
So what does $69K get you in Pennsylvania?
About market research analysts and marketing specialists
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What this looks like in Pennsylvania
Pay for market research analysts and marketing specialists in Pennsylvania runs about 13% below the U.S. median of $79K. Rent runs $1,351/month for a 2-bedroom (HUD FMR), taking 29.7% of the median take-home. That's within the 30% rule, though not by much. Regional Price Parity sits at 94.97 (national = 100), meaning everyday costs run about 5% cheaper here. Your dollar stretches further than the headline salary suggests. Use the affordability calculator above to model your specific situation.
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Pennsylvania
Entry-level market research analysts and marketing specialists (10th percentile) start around $34K. Mid-career wages sit at $69K. Top earners bring in $129K or more, a $95K spread from bottom to top.
Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists salary by metro in Pennsylvania
16 metro areas with BLS data, ranked by median pay
| Metro area | Median salary | vs. state | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington | $79K | +16% | 17,600 |
| Harrisburg-Carlisle | $72K | +4% | 1,560 |
| Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton | $68K | -1% | 1,400 |
| Chambersburg | $66K | -4% | 180 |
| York-Hanover | $65K | -5% | 570 |
| Lancaster | $65K | -6% | 990 |
| Pittsburgh | $63K | -8% | 4,940 |
| Reading | $63K | -8% | 520 |
| Lebanon | $62K | -10% | 120 |
| Altoona | $62K | -10% | 150 |
| Williamsport | $61K | -11% | 150 |
| State College | $61K | -11% | 280 |
| Erie | $61K | -12% | 420 |
| Scranton--Wilkes-Barre | $60K | -12% | 770 |
| Gettysburg | $52K | -24% | 80 |
| Johnstown | $51K | -26% | 110 |
Showing 1–10 of 16 metros
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BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Pennsylvania numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
Can a market research analysts and marketing specialist afford a 2BR apartment alone in Pennsylvania?
Yes — at the median salary of $69K, rent takes 29.7% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $1,351/month. That stays under the 30% guideline most financial planners use.
What’s the entry-level salary for market research analysts and marketing specialists in Pennsylvania?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new market research analysts and marketing specialists typically earn — is $34K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $2,050/month. At HUD’s $1,351/month FMR, rent would take 66% of that take-home — above the 30% guideline, so a 1-bedroom or shared housing is likely necessary starting out.
Is market research analysts and marketing specialist a high-paying job in Pennsylvania?
Local pay runs 13% below the national median — $69K here vs. $79K nationally. Cost of living is 5% below the national average, which narrows that gap in real purchasing power.
How does Pennsylvania compare to the national average for market research analysts and marketing specialists?
Pennsylvania pays $69K median vs. the U.S. average of $79K — that’s -13%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 94.97), the purchasing-power equivalent is $72K — below the national median.
How much do market research analysts and marketing specialists make in Pennsylvania?
The median is $68,760 a year, that works out to about $33 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $34,160, and experienced market research analysts and marketing specialists can clear $128,810. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $69K enough to live in Pennsylvania?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $4,554/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,351/month, which eats 29.7% of your paycheck. That's under the 30% guideline most financial planners use, so the numbers work.
How far does a market research analysts and marketing specialists salary go in Pennsylvania?
Pennsylvania has a Regional Price Parity of 94.97 (100 is the national average). That's below average, your money stretches further here than the raw salary number suggests. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median market research analysts and marketing specialists salary is worth about $72,402 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do market research analysts and marketing specialists get paid the most?
The table above ranks every state by median pay for this role. Keep in mind that the highest-paying states tend to have the highest costs of living, so the top salary doesn't always mean the most money in your pocket.