Survey Researchers Salary
The median pay for a survey researchers in North Carolina is $96,560/year ($46.43/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $54K at the entry level to $171K for experienced workers. Cost of living is below average (RPP 92.66), which stretches that salary to about $104,209 in buying power. Rent on a 2-bedroom averages $1,284/month, or 20.6% of estimated take-home pay.
Statewide average. Salary and cost of living vary significantly across North Carolina. Jump to a metro for precise data:
So what does $97K get you in North Carolina?
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What this looks like in North Carolina
North Carolina sits well above the national pay line for survey researchers, local pay runs about 39% higher than the U.S. median of $69K. Housing is manageable: a 2-bedroom at the HUD median costs $1,284/month, 21.4% of take-home, well inside the 30% guideline. Regional Price Parity sits at 92.66 (national = 100), meaning everyday costs run about 7% cheaper here. Your dollar stretches further than the headline salary suggests. Combined with manageable housing costs, North Carolina offers a genuinely strong financial position for survey researcherss at the median.
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, North Carolina
Entry-level survey researchers (10th percentile) start around $54K. Mid-career wages sit at $97K. Top earners bring in $171K or more, a $118K spread from bottom to top.
Survey Researchers salary by metro in North Carolina
1 metro area with BLS data, ranked by median pay
| Metro area | Median salary | vs. state | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia | $92K | -5% | 40 |
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BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when North Carolina numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
Can a survey researcher afford a 2BR apartment alone in North Carolina?
Yes — at the median salary of $97K, rent takes 21.4% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $1,284/month. That stays under the 30% guideline most financial planners use.
What’s the entry-level salary for survey researchers in North Carolina?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new survey researchers typically earn — is $54K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $3,221/month. At HUD’s $1,284/month FMR, rent would take 40% 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 North Carolina?
Local pay is 39% above the national median — $97K here vs. $69K nationally.
How does North Carolina compare to the national average for survey researchers?
North Carolina pays $97K median vs. the U.S. average of $69K — that’s +39%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 92.66), the purchasing-power equivalent is $104K — still ahead of the national median.
How much do survey researchers make in North Carolina?
The median is $96,560 a year, that works out to about $46 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $53,680, and experienced survey researchers can clear $171,270. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $97K enough to live in North Carolina?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $5,998/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,284/month, which eats 21.4% 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 North Carolina?
North Carolina has a Regional Price Parity of 92.66 (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 $104,209 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.