How Much Do You Earn? 11/4/01 Recruitment consultancy Elizabeth Norman International has just completed its annual salary survey of the market research industry, distributed to clients every April. This year’s survey has been compiled using 517 candidates spanning the main market research categories. These comprise clientside and agency, breaking into qualitative, quantitative and continuous researchers. Two new categories making their first appearance this year are ad planners and fieldforce. There are few shocks in the survey findings: salary levels in all categories have been raised as the shortfall in the candidate market continues. In reality the gaps in certain markets, such as new media and fmcg, are greater. Overall, the survey finds that clientside researchers are marginally better paid, except at the top end, where new business directors working on the agency side tip the balance back in their favour. For example, employees working on the adhoc clientside with 5 to 6 years experience can on average hope to earn £34,000, on the agency side the same salary level stands at £31,000. In contrast, for candidates with over 9 years experience average salary levels on the clientside stand at £49,000 and on the agency side at £62,000. It is however, true to say that differences in salary levels on the agency side are vaster than on the clientside. Elizabeth Norman points out that many clients are briefing at a higher level than these 2000/1 figures in order to attract the cream of the market. Employers need to bear in mind this survey includes all markets, the whole range of calibre researchers, and all regions across the UK. Salary surveys are available to market research employers free of charge. Please contact Caroline Rock for a copy - caroline@elizabethnorman.com