Washington DC · Occupational wage benchmark
Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists Salary in Washington DC
What Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists actually earn in the Washington DC metro area — the published BLS median, what it is worth after local costs, and how it ranks against other major metros.
Sources: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics — Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) (May 2024 estimates (published April 2025)), Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro estimates for SOC 13-1161; cost-of-living adjustment from U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis — Regional Price Parities by Metropolitan Statistical Area (MARPP) (2024). Occupational wage benchmarks across all workers, not MBA-specific outcomes.
- Median annual wage
- $87,160
- Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists in Washington DC
- Adjusted for cost of living
- $80,048
- Washington DC price level 108.9 (U.S. = 100)
- Rank among metros
- #8 of 47
- #16 after cost of living
- Workers employed
- 21,090
- in metro Washington DC
What Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists earn in Washington DC, adjusted for what it costs to live there
A headline wage only means something next to local prices. Once local prices are accounted for, Washington DC drops 8 places — a higher headline wage is partly consumed by a higher cost of living.
| Metro | Median (nominal) | Adjusted for cost of living |
|---|---|---|
| San Jose | $141,960 | $128,560 |
| San Francisco | $123,250 | $106,606 |
| Boston | $102,390 | $94,573 |
| Seattle | $102,170 | $91,935 |
| New York | $100,520 | $89,301 |
| Denver | $99,040 | $93,627 |
| Minneapolis | $97,910 | $93,406 |
| Washington DC | $87,160 | $80,048 |
| Portland | $85,350 | $80,961 |
| Providence | $83,960 | $82,497 |
| Los Angeles | $82,990 | $73,076 |
| Charlotte | $82,930 | $85,189 |
| Richmond | $81,660 | $83,447 |
| Austin | $80,460 | $82,047 |
| Chicago | $80,400 | $77,610 |
| Philadelphia | $79,420 | $77,442 |
| Atlanta | $79,030 | $78,984 |
| Raleigh | $78,980 | $80,463 |
| Sacramento | $78,630 | $73,713 |
| Hartford | $78,220 | $76,129 |
Nominal medians: BLS OEWS, May 2024 estimates (published April 2025) — occupational wage benchmarks across all workers, not MBA-specific outcomes. Adjusted column: SalaryMBA estimate, computed as nominal ÷ (metro RPP ÷ 100) using BEA MARPP 2024 regional price parities.
The national pay range for Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists
BLS publishes the full percentile distribution nationally. The spread within the occupation is usually far wider than the gap between metros.
| Percentile (national) | Annual wage | Reading |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $43,390 | Entry / early-career end |
| 25th percentile | $58,350 | |
| Median (50th) | $78,760 | |
| 75th percentile | $108,310 | |
| 90th percentile | $155,480 | Senior / top-market end |
Other MBA-relevant roles in Washington DC
How to read the Washington DC number
The $87,160 median means half of Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists in the Washington DC area earn less and half earn more. It is measured across everyone in the occupation — every experience level, industry, and level of education. It is not the salary of a recent MBA graduate, and it is not a starting salary.
BLS counts roughly 21,090 people in this role in the Washington DC area. To compare against the state and national picture, see Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists nationally or model your own economics with the MBA ROI calculator.
Frequently asked questions
How much do Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists make in Washington DC?
Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists in the Washington DC metro area earn a median of $87,160 per year, according to BLS OEWS May 2024 estimates (published April 2025). That is +10.7% vs national, ranking Washington DC #8 of 47 major metros we track for this role. This is an occupational wage benchmark across all workers in the metro, not an MBA-graduate-specific salary.
Is $87,160 a good salary in Washington DC?
It depends on local prices. The Washington DC area price level is 108.9 against a U.S. average of 100, so $87,160 there carries roughly the purchasing power of $80,048 nationally — about $7,112 less than the headline number implies. Once local prices are accounted for, Washington DC drops 8 places — a higher headline wage is partly consumed by a higher cost of living.
Do Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists in Washington DC need an MBA?
These BLS figures cover everyone in the occupation regardless of degree, so they cannot isolate what an MBA adds. Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists is a role MBA graduates commonly target, and an MBA can affect where you land within the range through network, function, and seniority — but any precise MBA premium for this role in Washington DC would not be supported by this data.
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