Survey Researchers Salary
The median pay for a survey researchers in Washington is $69,590/year ($33.46/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $49K at the entry level to $97K for experienced workers. Adjusted for local prices (RPP 102.01), that's roughly $68,219 in purchasing power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $1,830/month, about 37.9% of take-home, which is tight.
Statewide average. Salary and cost of living vary significantly across Washington. Jump to a metro for precise data:
So what does $70K get you in Washington?
About survey researchers
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What this looks like in Washington
Survey researchers pay in Washington tracks closely to the national median, $70K locally vs. $69K nationwide, a 0% difference. The catch: housing math doesn't keep up. A 2-bedroom at the HUD median rents for $1,830/month, which is 38.3% of the median worker's take-home, past the 30% guideline most planners use. 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 survey researchers (10th percentile) start around $49K. Mid-career wages sit at $70K. Top earners bring in $97K or more, a $48K spread from bottom to top.
Survey Researchers salary by metro in Washington
1 metro area with BLS data, ranked by median pay
| Metro area | Median salary | vs. state | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue | $70K | +0% | 110 |
Compare to other states
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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 survey researcher afford a 2BR apartment alone in Washington?
It’s a stretch — at the median salary of $70K, rent takes 38.3% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $1,830/month. The 30% guideline puts the comfortable ceiling at roughly $1,400/month in rent — so roommates or a 1-bedroom would ease the math significantly.
What’s the entry-level salary for survey researchers in Washington?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new survey researchers typically earn — is $49K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $2,926/month. At HUD’s $1,830/month FMR, rent would take 63% 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 Washington?
Pay here is roughly in line with the national average — $70K locally vs. $69K nationally, a 0% difference.
How does Washington compare to the national average for survey researchers?
Washington pays $70K median vs. the U.S. average of $69K — that’s +0%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 102.01), the purchasing-power equivalent is $68K — below the national median.
How much do survey researchers make in Washington?
The median is $69,590 a year, that works out to about $33 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $48,760, and experienced survey researchers can clear $97,150. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $70K enough to live in Washington?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $4,779/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,830/month, which eats 38.3% 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 survey researchers 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 survey researchers salary is worth about $68,219 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.