Survey Researchers Salary
The median pay for a survey researchers in Tennessee is $66,900/year ($32.16/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $46K at the entry level to $97K for experienced workers. Cost of living is below average (RPP 89.78), which stretches that salary to about $74,515 in buying power. Rent on a 2-bedroom averages $1,215/month, or 26.1% of estimated take-home pay.
Statewide average. Salary and cost of living vary significantly across Tennessee. Jump to a metro for precise data:
So what does $67K get you in Tennessee?
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What this looks like in Tennessee
Survey researchers pay in Tennessee tracks closely to the national median, $67K locally vs. $69K nationwide, a 4% difference. Rent runs $1,215/month for a 2-bedroom (HUD FMR), taking 26.3% of the median take-home. That's within the 30% rule, though not by much. Regional Price Parity sits at 89.78 (national = 100), meaning everyday costs run about 10% 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, Tennessee
Entry-level survey researchers (10th percentile) start around $46K. Mid-career wages sit at $67K. Top earners bring in $97K or more, a $52K spread from bottom to top.
Survey Researchers salary by metro in Tennessee
1 metro area with BLS data, ranked by median pay
| Metro area | Median salary | vs. state | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin | $70K | +5% | 100 |
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BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Tennessee numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
Can a survey researcher afford a 2BR apartment alone in Tennessee?
Yes — at the median salary of $67K, rent takes 26.3% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $1,215/month. That stays under the 30% guideline most financial planners use.
What’s the entry-level salary for survey researchers in Tennessee?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new survey researchers typically earn — is $46K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $2,746/month. At HUD’s $1,215/month FMR, rent would take 44% 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 Tennessee?
Pay here is roughly in line with the national average — $67K locally vs. $69K nationally, a 4% difference.
How does Tennessee compare to the national average for survey researchers?
Tennessee pays $67K median vs. the U.S. average of $69K — that’s -4%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 89.78), the purchasing-power equivalent is $75K — still ahead of the national median.
How much do survey researchers make in Tennessee?
The median is $66,900 a year, that works out to about $32 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $45,760, and experienced survey researchers can clear $97,380. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $67K enough to live in Tennessee?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $4,621/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,215/month, which eats 26.3% 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 Tennessee?
Tennessee has a Regional Price Parity of 89.78 (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 $74,515 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.