SOC 2434 Business, media and public service professionals

Business and related research professionals Salary

Median salary £39,941 per year (2025). Based on ONS ASHE data.

Gross pay, before deductions. See take-home pay on £40,000 after tax and National Insurance →

For business and related research professionals, £41,128 is the typical (median) pay. That is above the UK full-time median of £39,039 — +5.0% versus the national average. Experienced business and related research professionals (top 25%) earn over £48,216.

About this role

Business and related research professionals (2020 SOC) design, conduct and analyse business research, market intelligence and commercial studies. They transform data into strategic insights that inform product development, market entry, pricing and business planning decisions.

Key responsibilities

Designing research studies using qualitative and quantitative methods
Conducting surveys, focus groups, interviews and data analysis
Producing actionable insights and strategic recommendations
Monitoring market trends and competitive intelligence
Presenting findings to senior stakeholders and clients

Qualifications and entry routes

Typically requires a degree in market research, business, social sciences or data science. MRS certifications and Advanced Certificate in Market & Social Research Practice are valued.

Career outlook

Digital analytics and AI-powered research tools are reshaping the industry. Hybrid quantitative-qualitative researchers and insight strategists are in high demand.

Key skills

Research methodology Data visualisation Statistical software Strategic thinking Storytelling with data

Common industries

Research agencies
Tech companies
Consumer brands
Pharmaceuticals
Public sector research

Data coverage

SOC code 2434

Data source ONS ASHE

Years available 2015–2025

Estimated jobs 99,000

Median Salary

£39,941

Mean Salary

£44,154

Jobs (000s)

99k

Data Years

11 years

Salary Range (2025)

P25: £32,028Median: £39,941P75: £48,216

P10: £23kP25: £32kMedian: £40kP75: £48kP90: --

Estimated Career Progression

Based on salary percentile distribution for this occupation

Entry Level

£23,337

0-2 years

Mid Level

£32,028

3-7 years

Senior

£48,216

8-15 years

Potential career growth: +107% from entry to leadership

Salary Trend (2015-2025)

Adjust for inflation

Nominal growth: +26.7%Real growth: -8.2%

Gender Pay Comparison (2025)

Gender pay gap: 15.0%

Full-time vs All Employees (2025)

All Employees

£39,941

Full-time Only

£41,128

Full-time premium: +£1,187

Business and related research professionals salary: common questions

How much do business and related research professionals earn in the UK?

Business and related research professionals earn a median of £41,128 a year (ONS ASHE 2025). The middle half earn between £32,028 and £48,216.

Is £41,128 a good salary in the UK?

What is the starting salary for business and related research professionals?

Entry-level business and related research professionals typically start near the lower end of the range. The bottom 25% earn up to £32,028, and the lowest-paid 10% earn under £23,337.

Have business and related research professionals salaries kept up with inflation?

Since 2015, median business and related research professionals pay has risen from £32,311 to £41,128 — +27% in cash terms, or -8.0% after CPIH inflation. That is behind inflation over the period.

Is there a gender pay gap for business and related research professionals?

Male business and related research professionals earn a median £43,476 and female business and related research professionals £36,943 — a gap of +15% in 2025.

Figures: ONS Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings, gross annual pay. UK full-time median £39,039 (2025).