Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists Salary
The median pay for a market research analysts and marketing specialists in Washington is $95,120/year ($45.73/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $52K at the entry level to $174K for experienced workers. Adjusted for local prices (RPP 102.01), that's roughly $93,246 in purchasing power. Rent on a 2-bedroom averages $1,830/month, or 28.7% of estimated take-home pay.
Statewide average. Salary and cost of living vary significantly across Washington. Jump to a metro for precise data:
So what does $95K get you in Washington?
About market research analysts and marketing specialists
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What this looks like in Washington
Washington sits well above the national pay line for market research analysts and marketing specialists, local pay runs about 21% higher than the U.S. median of $79K. Rent runs $1,830/month for a 2-bedroom (HUD FMR), taking 29.2% of the median take-home. That's within the 30% rule, though not by much. Cost of living (RPP 102.01) is near the national average, so spending patterns here track the typical American budget fairly closely. Use the affordability calculator above to model your specific situation.
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Washington
Entry-level market research analysts and marketing specialists (10th percentile) start around $52K. Mid-career wages sit at $95K. Top earners bring in $174K or more, a $122K spread from bottom to top.
Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists salary by metro in Washington
11 metro areas with BLS data, ranked by median pay
| Metro area | Median salary | vs. state | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue | $102K | +7% | 18,030 |
| Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater | $80K | -16% | 620 |
| Kennewick-Richland | $77K | -20% | 370 |
| Bremerton-Silverdale-Port Orchard | $76K | -20% | 340 |
| Longview-Kelso | $71K | -25% | 100 |
| Spokane-Spokane Valley | $70K | -26% | 1,200 |
| Wenatchee-East Wenatchee | $69K | -27% | 160 |
| Mount Vernon-Anacortes | $69K | -28% | 200 |
| Yakima | $65K | -32% | 240 |
| Bellingham | $64K | -33% | 470 |
| Walla Walla | $63K | -34% | 60 |
Showing 1–10 of 11 metros
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BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Washington numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
Can a market research analysts and marketing specialist afford a 2BR apartment alone in Washington?
Yes — at the median salary of $95K, rent takes 29.2% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $1,830/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 Washington?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new market research analysts and marketing specialists typically earn — is $52K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $3,120/month. At HUD’s $1,830/month FMR, rent would take 59% 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 Washington?
Local pay is 21% above the national median — $95K here vs. $79K nationally.
How does Washington compare to the national average for market research analysts and marketing specialists?
Washington pays $95K median vs. the U.S. average of $79K — that’s +21%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 102.01), the purchasing-power equivalent is $93K — still ahead of the national median.
How much do market research analysts and marketing specialists make in Washington?
The median is $95,120 a year, that works out to about $46 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $52,000, and experienced market research analysts and marketing specialists can clear $174,040. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $95K enough to live in Washington?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $6,275/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,830/month, which eats 29.2% 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 Washington?
Washington has a Regional Price Parity of 102.01 (100 is the national average). Prices are above average here, so your dollar buys less than the same salary would in a cheaper metro. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median market research analysts and marketing specialists salary is worth about $93,246 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.