How to Become a Market Research Analyst: Skills, Education, and Career Path
Table of Contents
- Jaro Education
- 12, September 2025
- 11:00 am
In today’s digital world, businesses face tough competitions. They have to constantly make instant and smart decisions to keep up with the trend. And this is where the job of market research analyst begins. By analyzing the raw data, they form a deep and sharp understanding of the customers, competitors, and gaps in the market. And on that basis, they make decisions.
In the following guide, newbies will know more about the skills, educational requirements, and responsibilities of a marketing research analyst. It will also discuss how aspiring candidates can advance their career in this field. So, stay tuned.
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Who is a Market Research Analyst?
The market research analysts can study the market well – mainly the new trends and developments. And on the basis of this overview, they can figure out which products or services may sell. In a word, they are the connection between companies and the market. They help businesses understand what exactly people want, who can buy, and how much they are willing to pay. And to get a clear picture of both the consumers and competitors, the market research analysts take help of surveys, interviews, etc. However, their job does not end here. They also need to provide fruitful advice that can bring profits to the company. Businesses largely depend on them for developing products, pricing, building marketing campaigns, and expanding the business.
Research Methods Followed by Market Research Analysts
These market research analysts carry out the market research in various ways. Some of them are,
- Primary: This is a research process focused on understanding a customer.
- Observational studies
- Personal interviews
- Surveys
- Secondary: This involves analyzing the data that others have procured.
- Academic journals
- Industry reports
- Government publications
- Internal company data
- Company websites and press releases
- Qualitative: Mainly focuses on the reason behind the customers’ behavior.
- Open-ended survey responses
- In-depth interviews
- Focus groups
- Quantitative: Analyzes on the basis of measurable data.
- Consumer usage data
- A/B testing
- Sales and performance metrics
- Large-scale surveys
- Exploratory: Concentrates on issues and problems.
- Open-ended surveys
- Informal interviews
- Literature reviews
- Descriptive: Describes characteristics of a consumer group or market.
- Customer satisfaction surveys
- Demographic analysis
Market Research Analyst Responsibilities
Duties of the market research analysts are crucial, encompassing a varied range of tasks. Here are some examples.
| Responsibility | Work |
|---|---|
| Analyzing Consumer Behavior | Through surveys and other concerned groups, they know their customers— about their age, income, location, and buying trends. Through this, the companies get to know what their customers want and prepare saleable products. |
| Evaluating the Market | Take an overview of the present market condition and make suggestions on their company’s growth potential. Also, must study the economic and industry trends that can affect the sales. Based on this, the companies can develop their products. |
| Measuring Competitor’s Activities | Gauging the behavior and actions of other companies. Comparing their products, prices, marketing, etc., and watching when the competitors are launching their products. It helps their companies to find gaps in the market which they can take advantage of. |
| Formulating Strategies | Noticing a customer’s behavior and making advices accordingly. Companies get to know what customers want and can improve their products, including the pricing and promotions. |
| Analyzing Marketing Campaign Performance | Track people’s reactions to an ad, like how many of them viewed it, how many clicked on it, and how many bought the product. This helps companies to spend on areas that bring them profit. |
Market and Research Analyst – Required Skills
An expert market research analyst must have the relevant technical, analytical, and soft skills. Here are some explanations.
- Analytical Thinking
- Must be able to understand trends from raw data
- Can gauge market-specific customer behavior (urban vs. rural)
- Critical thinking to evaluate business impact
- Quantitative Skills
- Strong grasp of techniques, like sampling, regression, correlation
- Must know tools like:
- Microsoft Excel (advanced level)
- SPSS, Python, Tableau, SQL
- Market and Region-Based Knowledge
- Understanding the region’s socio-economic segments
- Being familiar with the various kind of customers based on states, cities, and rural areas
- Ability to localize research instruments and interpretations
- Industry Knowledge
- Understanding primary industries, like e-commerce, FMCG, edtech, etc.
- Knowing about the local competitors and growing markets
- Communication Ability
- Must be apt at communicating both in English and the native language if possible
- Report writing and presenting insights to stakeholders or clients
- Should know how to make clear and actionable recommendations from complicated data
- Team Collaboration and Field Coordination
- Ability to work with diverse field teams across states
- Managing research logistics, especially in remote or rural data collection
- Interrelate with the sales, marketing, and product teams
- Research Methods
- Knowledge of Google Forms, SurveyMonkey, or Qualtrics
- Expertise in both primary and secondary research methods, like preparing surveys, focus group scripts, etc.
- Technological Skills
- Use of databases like:
- CMIE, Nielsen India, TAM, TRA Research
- Familiarity with Google Analytics and social listening tools
- Awareness of digital socialization trends, like mobile-first behavior
- Project and Time Management
- Handling multiple projects across varied geographies
- Managing deadlines under pressure
- Vendor and budget coordination in field research
- Certifications
- Google Data Analytics, Coursera Market Research Certifications
- Certification from various institutes through Jaro Education
- Basic knowledge of tools like SQL or GIS
Must-Have Education to Become a Market Research Analyst
Not only freshers, but also many working professionals want to pursue the field of marketing and research. For entry-level roles, a bachelor’s degree is sufficient. Some common fields of education that may help newbies to opt for this role are,
- Marketing
- Business administration
- Statistics
- Economics
- Psychology
- Mathematics
- Commerce
However, if you are an experienced person wanting to advance your career, you must go for some higher education, like,
- MBA in marketing or Market Research
- MA/MSc in Statistics or Economics
- Postgraduate Diploma in Market Research/Business Analytics
Additionally, there are certificate courses available that can enhance both your skills and educational qualifications. These are optional but useful.
- Google Data Analytics Professional Certificate
- Certified Market Research Analyst (CMRA)
- NISM Certifications (for those interested in financial market research)
- Courses from platforms like Coursera, edX, or IIMs
Another noteworthy online educational platform is Jaro Education. From them, you will get appropriate assistance not only in choosing the relevant course, but also in acquiring the certification. Your job is only to study diligently and attend the classes regularly. If you are a working professional, their advanced certification or online MBA courses from renowned institutes will work wonders for you. Even if you are a fresh graduate, they have many options for you to choose from. Jaro Education works in collaboration with reputed institutes. So, you will definitely win if you approach them.
Stepwise Career Path to Become a Market Research Analyst
To become a market research analyst, you will have to love talking and working with data. This is because a crucial part of this job is to understand people’s behavior. Only if you are able to do this can you help a company grow. Below is an overview of the career path. If you follow this diligently, success will definitely knock at your door.
Step 1: Finish Your Schooling (Class 12):
The advantage of being a market research analyst is you can take up any subject or stream during your 10+2 education. But to remain safe, you can choose Economics, Commerce, or Mathematics at this level of studying. These subjects will help you later. Focus on English, basic math, and computer skills during this time. Your foundation will be strong.
Step 2: Get a Bachelor’s Degree:
Without graduation, you cannot pursue this career. So, after school, complete a Bachelor’s degree. Choose a subject that will inculcate more analytical and business knowledge in you. Some preferred choices are,
- BBA (Bachelor of Business Administration)
- BA in Economics or Psychology
- BSc in Statistics or Mathematics
- B.Com (Bachelor of Commerce)
These degrees will help you form an idea of businesses and how they work. You will also know people’s behaviors, which is an essential aspect of market research.
Step 3: Build Practical Skills:
Do not be happy just by enrolling in Bachelor’s degree course. Start learning important tools and software to hone your skills. Examples are,
- MS Excel
- Google Sheets
- SPSS, R, or Python (for data analysis)
- Tableau
You can do this parallelly with your studies. There are various online platforms available nowadays who give you flexible learning opportunities.
Step 4: Get an Internship:
Having some experience will always keep you at an edge. So, try and do internship in a company’s marketing or analytics department. You will learn how to collect data, conduct surveys, and prepare reports. This way, you will step into the world of marketing.
Step 5: Consider a Master’s Degree (Optional):
The more enhanced educational qualification you have, the more is your chance to get noticed. So, to grow faster in this career, many people choose higher studies. A Master’s in Marketing, MBA, or Master’s in Statistics or Data Science can give you an edge. Your dream of working at top companies with good pay packages will knock at your door.
Step 6: Apply for Jobs:
The moment you have your degree and some experience, start applying for jobs in your dream role – a market research analyst.
Step 7: Continue Learning and Growing:
Do not forget to update your skills while working. It will have you to advance in your career. Learn new and high-end tools, attend workshops, and take certifications. With some years of experience as a market research analyst, you can gradually get promoted to senior roles like Market Research Manager or Marketing Strategy Consultant.
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Average Monthly Salary of a Market Research Analyst in Some Indian Cities
| CITY | APPROXIMATE MONTHLY SALARY |
|---|---|
| Gurgaon, Haryana | INR 66,000/- per month |
| Pune, Maharashtra | INR 57,000/- per month |
| Hyderabad, Telangana | INR 38,000/- per month |
| Kolkata, West Bengal | INR 28,000/- per month |
| Bengaluru, Karnataka | INR 27,000/- per month |
| Ahmedabad, Gujarat | INR 20,000/- per month |
| Mumbai, Maharashtra | INR 19,000/- per month |
| Noida, Uttar Pradesh | INR 18,000/- per month |
| Chennai, Tamil Nadu | INR 18,000/- per month |
With time and experience, the salaries will spike. Some role-based approximate salaries are mentioned below.
- Research Assistant – INR 23,000/- per month
- Junior Market Research Analyst – INR 18,000/- per month
- Senior Market Research Analyst – INR 50,000/- per month
- Research Manager – INR 59,000/- per month
* Data is sourced from Indeed.com
Conclusion
It is not easy to become a successful market research analyst. A lot of dedication and knowledge is required. You may face failures at the beginning. However, experience and relevant skills will show you the right the right path towards success. If you are analytical by nature and can explain your mind well, the goal is not far away.
This field offers excellent opportunities for growth, competitive salaries, and satisfaction of directly getting involved in business related decisions. Whether you are just starting your career or thinking of delving into market research, do focus on developing the needed skills. Keep yourself updated with current with industry trends and technologies. The work of a market research analyst is diverse and challenging.
The career is indeed rewarding as it offers the opportunity to contribute in making a business successful while growing simultaneously. The path to becoming a marketing research analyst may require continuous learning, but you will not lose. The investments that you make in developing these skills will bring you good cash throughout your career. So, start building your foundation today. In no time you find yourself thriving in this dynamic and interesting profession.
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