Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists Salary
The median pay for a market research analysts and marketing specialists in Virginia is $76,980/year ($37.01/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $40K at the entry level to $153K for experienced workers. Cost of living is below average (RPP 94.79), which stretches that salary to about $81,211 in buying power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $1,646/month, about 32.5% of take-home, which is tight.
Statewide average. Salary and cost of living vary significantly across Virginia. Jump to a metro for precise data:
So what does $77K get you in Virginia?
About market research analysts and marketing specialists
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What this looks like in Virginia
Market research analysts and marketing specialists pay in Virginia tracks closely to the national median, $77K locally vs. $79K nationwide, a 2% difference. Rent runs $1,646/month for a 2-bedroom (HUD FMR), taking 33.7% of the median take-home. That's within the 30% rule, though not by much. Regional Price Parity sits at 94.79 (national = 100), meaning everyday costs run about 5% cheaper here. Your dollar stretches further than the headline salary suggests. Pay and costs are both near average, leaving limited margin for savings at the median wage.
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Virginia
Entry-level market research analysts and marketing specialists (10th percentile) start around $40K. Mid-career wages sit at $77K. Top earners bring in $153K or more, a $113K spread from bottom to top.
Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists salary by metro in Virginia
9 metro areas with BLS data, ranked by median pay
| Metro area | Median salary | vs. state | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Richmond | $82K | +6% | 4,550 |
| Charlottesville | $72K | -6% | 700 |
| Staunton-Stuarts Draft | $70K | -10% | 160 |
| Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk | $70K | -10% | 3,500 |
| Winchester | $67K | -13% | 330 |
| Roanoke | $64K | -16% | 700 |
| Blacksburg-Christiansburg-Radford | $63K | -18% | 270 |
| Harrisonburg | $62K | -20% | 290 |
| Lynchburg | $60K | -22% | 430 |
Compare to other states
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BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Virginia numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
Can a market research analysts and marketing specialist afford a 2BR apartment alone in Virginia?
It’s a stretch — at the median salary of $77K, rent takes 33.7% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $1,646/month. The 30% guideline puts the comfortable ceiling at roughly $1,500/month in rent — so roommates or a 1-bedroom would ease the math significantly.
What’s the entry-level salary for market research analysts and marketing specialists in Virginia?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new market research analysts and marketing specialists typically earn — is $40K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $2,406/month. At HUD’s $1,646/month FMR, rent would take 68% 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 Virginia?
Pay here is roughly in line with the national average — $77K locally vs. $79K nationally, a 2% difference.
How does Virginia compare to the national average for market research analysts and marketing specialists?
Virginia pays $77K median vs. the U.S. average of $79K — that’s -2%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 94.79), the purchasing-power equivalent is $81K — still ahead of the national median.
How much do market research analysts and marketing specialists make in Virginia?
The median is $76,980 a year, that works out to about $37 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $40,100, and experienced market research analysts and marketing specialists can clear $153,300. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $77K enough to live in Virginia?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $4,886/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,646/month, which eats 33.7% of your paycheck. That's above the 30% rule of thumb, housing will be a stretch at the median salary, though you can manage with roommates or a smaller place.
How far does a market research analysts and marketing specialists salary go in Virginia?
Virginia has a Regional Price Parity of 94.79 (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 $81,211 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.