Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists
Machines can already do 72% of this job's tasks. By 2035 that rises to 91%. Most of the work is changing now.
Share of the work machines can do
Worldwide baseline, 2026 to 2050
Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists in 2026: the short answer
- Today: machines can do 72% of this job's tasks, and AI use is already seen in 65% of them.
- Forecast: machines can already do half of its tasks, and 91% by 2035, according to the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit.
- Size: 899,580 people do this job in the United States, on a median pay of $78,760 a year.
- Contact with people: it scores 51% for contact with people.
- Also called: Business Development Specialist, Communications Consultant, Communications Specialist, Content Strategist.
Updated by the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit. These are worldwide baseline figures; the Workforce Starburst shows them for your country. Go deeper: How ready am I? or an executive briefing.
How the work changes, task by task
The tasks that take up most of the day, with the share of each that machines can do in 2026 (dark) and 2035 (pink). Worldwide baseline.
| Task | Share of the day | Machines can do | 2026 to 2035 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Collect and analyze data on customer demographics, preferences, needs, and buying habits to identify potential markets and factors affecting product demand | 19% | 83% to 97% | |
| Prepare reports of findings, illustrating data graphically and translating complex findings into written text | 16% | 79% to 97% | |
| Measure the effectiveness of marketing, advertising, and communications programs and strategies | 10% | 81% to 97% | |
| Conduct research on consumer opinions and marketing strategies, collaborating with marketing professionals, statisticians, pollsters, and other professionals | 9% | 83% to 97% | |
| Forecast and track marketing and sales trends, analyzing collected data | 9% | 81% to 97% | |
| Attend staff conferences to provide management with information and proposals concerning the promotion, distribution, design, and pricing of company products or services | 7% | 30% to 60% | |
| Devise and evaluate methods and procedures for collecting data, such as surveys, opinion polls, or questionnaires, or arrange to obtain existing data | 6% | 80% to 97% | |
| Gather data on competitors and analyze their prices, sales, and method of marketing and distribution | 6% | 82% to 97% |
The skills this job runs on
The skills market research analysts and marketing specialists use most, most used first.
Safer jobs nearby
Jobs with a similar skill shape where machines can do less of the work by 2035.
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- Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists44% of tasks by 2035 · US median $35,790
- Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Technical and Scientific Products78% of tasks by 2035 · US median $104,920
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Questions
When will machines do half of the tasks of Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists?
Machines can already do half of its tasks. That is the worldwide baseline from the 311 Workforce Starburst, before adjusting for country.
Will AI take the job of market research analysts and marketing specialists?
Machines can do 72% of the tasks of market research analysts and marketing specialists today and 91% by 2035. Most of the routine work moves to machines, and the people in the job move to oversight, judgement and client work.
Sources and citing
Tasks and their share of the day: O*NET 31.0, occupation 13-1161.00 (US Department of Labor, CC BY 4.0). Pay and jobs: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. AI use today: Anthropic Economic Index (CC BY). Scoring and forecast: the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit; after 2035 the figures extend each trend, with lower confidence. Foresight, not advice.
Cite as: 311 Institute (2026). Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists: the outlook to 2050. 311 Workforce Starburst. https://www.311institute.com/jobs/market-research-analysts-and-marketing-specialists/