Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists vs Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists
Median annual salary
861,140 employed nationally
Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers
Median annual salary
199,800 employed nationally
Which Career Pays More?
Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers professionals earn $25,660 more per year than Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists professionals — that's 33.3% higher. At the 90th percentile, Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists earns $144,610 compared to $166,960 for Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers.
Salary Range Comparison
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists | Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $42,070 | $60,690 | $-18,620 |
| 25th Percentile | $56,220 | $79,520 | $-23,300 |
| Median (50th) | $76,950 | $102,610 | $-25,660 |
| 75th Percentile | $104,870 | $131,870 | $-27,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $144,610 | $166,960 | $-22,350 |
| Mean (Average) | $86,480 | $110,260 | $-23,780 |
Employment Numbers
Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists
861,140
employed nationwide
Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers
199,800
employed nationwide
Top Paying Cities
Best Cities for Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $139,140 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $124,840 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $102,390 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA | $97,360 |
| Boston-Cambridge-Nashua, MA-NH | $95,930 |
Best Cities for Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $165,700 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $139,580 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $131,640 |
| Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD | $127,940 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $126,430 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who earns more: Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists or Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers?
What is the salary range for Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists?
What is the salary range for Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers?
How many Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists and Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers jobs are there?
Is it worth switching from Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers to Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists?
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Data verified March 2026 · Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS