Survey Researchers Salary
The median pay for a survey researchers in Missouri is $66,460/year ($31.95/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $29K at the entry level to $98K for experienced workers. Cost of living is below average (RPP 88.97), which stretches that salary to about $74,699 in buying power. Rent on a 2-bedroom averages $1,097/month, or 25.1% of estimated take-home pay.
Statewide average. Salary and cost of living vary significantly across Missouri. Jump to a metro for precise data:
So what does $66K get you in Missouri?
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What this looks like in Missouri
Survey researchers pay in Missouri tracks closely to the national median, $66K locally vs. $69K nationwide, a 4% difference. Housing is manageable: a 2-bedroom at the HUD median costs $1,097/month, 24.9% of take-home, well inside the 30% guideline. Regional Price Parity sits at 88.97 (national = 100), meaning everyday costs run about 11% 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, Missouri
Entry-level survey researchers (10th percentile) start around $29K. Mid-career wages sit at $66K. Top earners bring in $98K or more, a $69K spread from bottom to top.
Survey Researchers salary by metro in Missouri
2 metro areas with BLS data, ranked by median pay
| Metro area | Median salary | vs. state | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kansas City | $69K | +4% | 100 |
| St. Louis | $50K | -25% | 80 |
Compare to other states
Track survey researchers salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Missouri numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
Can a survey researcher afford a 2BR apartment alone in Missouri?
Yes — at the median salary of $66K, rent takes 24.9% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $1,097/month. That stays under the 30% guideline most financial planners use.
What’s the entry-level salary for survey researchers in Missouri?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new survey researchers typically earn — is $29K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $1,756/month. At HUD’s $1,097/month FMR, rent would take 62% of that take-home — above the 30% guideline, so a 1-bedroom or shared housing is likely necessary starting out.
Is survey researcher a high-paying job in Missouri?
Pay here is roughly in line with the national average — $66K locally vs. $69K nationally, a 4% difference.
How does Missouri compare to the national average for survey researchers?
Missouri pays $66K median vs. the U.S. average of $69K — that’s -4%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 88.97), the purchasing-power equivalent is $75K — still ahead of the national median.
How much do survey researchers make in Missouri?
The median is $66,460 a year, that works out to about $32 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $29,270, and experienced survey researchers can clear $97,990. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $66K enough to live in Missouri?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $4,397/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,097/month, which eats 24.9% of your paycheck. That's under the 30% guideline most financial planners use, so the numbers work.
How far does a survey researchers salary go in Missouri?
Missouri has a Regional Price Parity of 88.97 (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 survey researchers salary is worth about $74,699 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do survey researchers 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.