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Occupation · SOC 19-3022

Survey Researchers

There are 8,290 jobs in the U.S. Median pay is $69,460 a year. The most jobs are in Washington–Arlington–Alexandria, DC–VA–MD–WV.

ScienceTypical education: Master's degree
8,290
Jobs in the U.S.
People employed, May 2025
$69,460
Median pay a year
Middle half: $51,270–$99,760
600
Annual openings
10-year change: −4.8%
123
LCA filings, last 4 quarters
+7% from the prior 4 quarters

Metro areas with the highest employment

10 of 32 metro areas with BLS data for this occupation. LCA filings: Apr 2025–Mar 2026.

Metro areaEmploymentMedian payLCA filings
Washington–Arlington–Alexandria, DC–VA–MD–WVMedian pay $97,780 · LCA filings 5620$97,7805
Los Angeles–Long Beach–Anaheim, CAMedian pay $83,520 · LCA filings 9550$83,5209
Chicago–Naperville–Elgin, IL–INMedian pay $54,080 · LCA filings 3310$54,0803
Dallas–Fort Worth–Arlington, TXMedian pay $37,500 · LCA filings 0260$37,5000
Albany–Schenectady–Troy, NYMedian pay $86,890 · LCA filings 0210$86,8900
New York–Newark–Jersey City, NY–NJMedian pay $87,620 · LCA filings 34190$87,62034
San Francisco–Oakland–Fremont, CAMedian pay $110,540 · LCA filings 8180$110,5408
Boston–Cambridge–Newton, MA–NHMedian pay $74,890 · LCA filings 4150$74,8904
Seattle–Tacoma–Bellevue, WAMedian pay $69,590 · LCA filings 7110$69,5907
Houston–Pasadena–The Woodlands, TXMedian pay $48,810 · LCA filings 1100$48,8101

Metro areas with the highest median pay

Median pay for this occupation in each metro area, May 2025.

Metro areaMedian payEmploymentLCA filings
San Francisco–Oakland–Fremont, CAEmployment 180 · LCA filings 8$110,5401808
Ann Arbor, MIEmployment 60 · LCA filings 2$103,140602
New Haven, CTEmployment 30 · LCA filings 1$98,570301
Washington–Arlington–Alexandria, DC–VA–MD–WVEmployment 620 · LCA filings 5$97,7806205
Charlotte–Concord–Gastonia, NC–SCEmployment 40 · LCA filings 0$92,160400

Metro areas with the most LCA filings

Labor Condition Applications filed by employers with the U.S. Department of Labor, Apr 2025–Mar 2026. They’re used in the H-1B process and show filing history, not hires or current job openings.

Metro areaLCA filingsEmployers with LCA filingsEmployment
New York–Newark–Jersey City, NY–NJEmployers with LCA filings 19 · Employment 1903419190
Los Angeles–Long Beach–Anaheim, CAEmployers with LCA filings 7 · Employment 55097550
San Francisco–Oakland–Fremont, CAEmployers with LCA filings 5 · Employment 18085180
Seattle–Tacoma–Bellevue, WAEmployers with LCA filings 4 · Employment 11074110
Washington–Arlington–Alexandria, DC–VA–MD–WVEmployers with LCA filings 4 · Employment 62054620

Prevailing wage levels (H-1B and PERM)

The minimum yearly wage by level. Level I is entry level and Level IV is fully competent; an H-1B employer must pay at least the level that fits the job.

Metro areaLevel ILevel IILevel IIILevel IV
Washington–Arlington–Alexandria, DC–VA–MD–WVLevel II $79,394 · Level III $101,566 · Level IV $123,739$57,221$79,394$101,566$123,739
Los Angeles–Long Beach–Anaheim, CALevel II $72,384 · Level III $87,568 · Level IV $102,731$57,221$72,384$87,568$102,731
Chicago–Naperville–Elgin, IL–INLevel II $62,483 · Level III $76,773 · Level IV $91,042$48,214$62,483$76,773$91,042
Dallas–Fort Worth–Arlington, TXLevel II $32,906 · Level III $40,830 · Level IV $48,776$24,960$32,906$40,830$48,776
Albany–Schenectady–Troy, NYLevel II $77,979 · Level III $89,710 · Level IV $101,462$66,227$77,979$89,710$101,462
New York–Newark–Jersey City, NY–NJLevel II $76,794 · Level III $92,186 · Level IV $107,578$61,402$76,794$92,186$107,578
San Francisco–Oakland–Fremont, CALevel II $108,077 · Level III $142,522 · Level IV $176,946$73,653$108,077$142,522$176,946
Boston–Cambridge–Newton, MA–NHLevel II $58,781 · Level III $68,890 · Level IV $78,998$48,672$58,781$68,890$78,998
Seattle–Tacoma–Bellevue, WALevel II $68,016 · Level III $77,563 · Level IV $87,110$58,469$68,016$77,563$87,110
Houston–Pasadena–The Woodlands, TXLevel II $49,587 · Level III $53,206 · Level IV $56,846$45,947$49,587$53,206$56,846

Source: U.S. Department of Labor, OFLC Online Wage Library, July 2026–June 2027.

Related majors

Majors most closely related to this occupation. International graduates: 2024–25 academic year.

MajorInternational graduatesSTEM OPT
StatisticsCIP 27.05 · Usually needs more educationSTEM OPT · up to 36 months3,695STEM OPT · up to 36 months
Applied StatisticsCIP 27.06 · Usually needs more educationSTEM OPT · up to 36 months133STEM OPT · up to 36 months
Social Sciences, GeneralCIP 45.01 · Usually needs more educationVaries by program1,364Varies by program

See Survey Researchers in every metro area

All 32 metro areas, pay in each, related majors, schools in each job market, and employers with LCA filing history.

Employers with LCA filings for this occupation

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Sources: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 · BLS Employment Projections 2025-35 · U.S. Department of Labor LCA disclosure data, Apr 2025–Mar 2026 · IPEDS 2024–25. Prevailing wages: U.S. Department of Labor, OFLC Online Wage Library, July 2026–June 2027. Methodology