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Qualitative Research Social Work Jobs (NOW HIRING)

MarketOnce

Qualitative Research Manager

Boston, MA · On-site

$100K - $120K/yr

Together, our family of companies, including MarketOnce, ROI Rocket, and eAccountable, work towards ... A thorough understanding of qualitative research techniques, tools, processes, and procedures is ...

Ishe

$90 - $130/hr

Manage qualitative research participant recruitment and scheduling * Administer and oversee ... A minimum of five years of relevant work experience (business operations, project management ...

The Georgetown University

$23.40 - $28.60/hr

The Qualitative Research Associate - in a temporary role - supports the work of the Lab, with ... social justice or technology policy Work Mode Designation This position has been designated as ...

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Qualitative Research Social Work information

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$21K

$66.3K

$153K

How much do qualitative research social work jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 30, 2026, the average yearly pay for qualitative research social work in the United States is $66,334.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $42,500.00 and $76,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is qualitative research in social work?

Qualitative research in social work is a method of inquiry that seeks to understand people's experiences, perspectives, and social contexts through non-numerical data such as interviews, focus groups, and observations. This approach allows social workers to explore complex social issues, understand client needs, and develop tailored interventions. Qualitative research is especially valuable for gaining in-depth insights into the lived experiences of individuals and communities, which can inform policies and practices in the field of social work.

How do qualitative research social workers typically collaborate with interdisciplinary teams during a project?

Qualitative research social workers often work closely with professionals from fields such as psychology, public health, education, and policy analysis. Collaboration usually involves sharing insights from interviews or focus groups, co-developing research tools, and participating in regular meetings to interpret findings. This team-based approach ensures that diverse perspectives inform the study design and analysis, enhancing the validity and impact of the research. Effective communication and openness to different disciplinary viewpoints are essential skills for success in these collaborative environments.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a qualitative research social worker, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Qualitative Research Social Worker, you need a background in social work (often a master's degree), research methods, and strong analytical skills. Familiarity with qualitative data collection tools (such as interviews and focus groups), transcription software, and qualitative analysis programs like NVivo or ATLAS.ti is important. Strong communication, cultural competence, and ethical sensitivity set outstanding professionals apart. These competencies ensure accurate, ethical research that informs effective social interventions and policy decisions.

What is the difference between Qualitative Research Social Work vs Qualitative Research Social Work?

AspectQualitative Research Social WorkQualitative Research
CredentialsTypically requires a Master’s in Social Work (MSW) and research experienceRequires a background in research methods, often with a Master’s or PhD in social sciences or related fields
Work EnvironmentOften in social service agencies, community organizations, or healthcare settingsPrimarily in research institutions, universities, or policy organizations
Employer & Industry UsageUsed by social service agencies, healthcare providers, and community programsUsed by academic institutions, research firms, and policy think tanks

Qualitative Research Social Work focuses on applying qualitative research methods within social work settings to improve client outcomes and services. In contrast, Qualitative Research involves conducting research across various fields to gather in-depth insights, often in academic or policy contexts. Both roles require strong research skills, but their work environments and applications differ significantly.

More about Qualitative Research Social Work jobs

What job categories do people searching Qualitative Research Social Work jobs look for?

The top searched job categories for Qualitative Research Social Work jobs are:

Qualitative Research Social Work jobs near you
Infographic showing various Qualitative Research Social Work job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 67% Full Time, and 33% Part Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $66,334 per year, or $31.9 per hour.

Qualitative Research Manager

MarketOnce

Boston, MA • On-site

$100K - $120K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

Posted 4 days ago

Job description

At MarketOnce, we empower businesses with the insights and strategies they need to excel in today's dynamic market. With a strong foundation in market research, we offer innovative solutions in research, software, consulting, advertising, and marketing to corporate, private equity firms, and other organizations seeking to achieve their goals.
Our team is distinguished by their client-centric approach-treating each client's business with the dedication and care as if it were their own. This commitment enables us to deliver personalized service and achieve the highest standards of success and innovation in everything we do. Together, our family of companies, including MarketOnce, ROI Rocket, and eAccountable, work towards delivering unparalleled solutions. Headquartered in Denver, Colorado, our global team collaborates from locations across the US and Europe.
We value curiosity, creativity, collaboration, and expertise, continuously striving to push boundaries and exceed our clients' expectations. Join us to be part of a culture that drives meaningful results.
About the Opportunity:
We're seeking a seasoned qualitative research manager to design qualitative studies, develop discussion guides, moderate, analyze and synthesize transcripts and video, and report results with an emphasis on storytelling. A thorough understanding of qualitative research techniques, tools, processes, and procedures is essential. You must have strong interpersonal and organizational skills and be detail-oriented, flexible and above all, collaborative.
The range of duties includes but is not limited to designing qualitative studies of varying complexity, i.e., studies ranging from a handful of in-depth interviews to multi-market, multi-method programs; developing discussion guides; moderating in-depth interviews and focus groups, in-person and online; analyzing and synthesizing transcripts and video; and reporting findings with a focus on impactful storytelling. Above all, the person in this position must be exceptional at translating clients' business objectives into creative and effective qualitative research designs - and, when moderating, at getting beyond simple, direct questioning through the use of projective techniques, visual exercises and similar approaches to capture the underlying dynamics that shape attitudes and behavior.
In this role, you will be working closely with the Sr. Director of Custom Research, various Research Directors and Managers, and the Director of Marketing Sciences as well as various Data Analysts and Publishing department personnel
What You'll Do:
  • Design qualitative research studies for clients across a wide variety of industries
    • Note: these projects will vary not only by industry, but also by general approach (IDIs, in-person and online focus groups, online communities/bulletin boards, ethnographies, shop-alongs, etc.) and project type (exploratory/discovery, concept and message testing, journey mapping, positioning, persona development, etc.)
  • Translate client business objectives into creative, effective qualitative research designs
  • Develop discussion guides that move beyond direct questioning - incorporating projective techniques, visual and enabling exercises, and other approaches to surface underlying motivations and dynamics
  • Moderate in-depth interviews and focus groups, in person and over the internet, with skill, warmth and adaptability
  • Analyze and synthesize transcripts and video to identify the themes, tensions and insights that matter most to the business question
  • Report qualitative findings in PPT and other formats (memos, white papers, video reels, etc.) with an emphasis on storytelling
  • Select and manage qualitative vendors and facilities, and oversee recruiting against target specifications
  • Lead discussions and debriefings with clients in person or over the internet
  • Provide professional development training for colleagues/junior staff
  • Develop and present webinars for clients/prospects

What We're Looking For:
  • 5+ years of relevant experience in qualitative research with a demonstrable track record of high performance
  • A portfolio of past work you can share - including discussion guides, video clips and reports (redacted as necessary to preserve client confidentiality)
  • A demonstrated ability to translate business objectives into creative and effective qualitative research designs
  • Mastery of moderation, including projective techniques, visual and enabling exercises, and other methods for getting beyond surface responses to capture underlying dynamics
  • Strong organizational and time management skills with the ability to plan, prioritize, manage, and effectively deliver on multiple projects simultaneously with minimal supervision in a fast-paced environment
  • A dynamic personality with excellent client-handling and presentation skills
  • Strong storytelling and reporting skills, with fluency in PowerPoint as well as a sense of how best to leverage AI
  • Experience with qualitative analysis and transcription/video tools a plus
  • Superior customer focus, and willingness to work evenings and weekends if needed to support our clients
  • A can-do, positive and collaborative attitude, with a willingness to support the development of team members across the organization

What We Offer:
  • Competitive base salary: $100,000-$120,000/year
  • Flexible vacation policy - take the time you need to recharge
  • Comprehensive health, vision & dental insurance
  • 401k with company contribution
  • Beautiful downtown Denver or Back Bay office with company-paid commuter benefits (parking or MBTA/RTD EcoPass)

What to Expect:
  • 1st Round: 30-45 minute interview with the Recruiter
  • 2nd Round: 60-minute interview with the Hiring Manager
  • 3rd Round: 2 hours of onsite interviews with the Hiring Team

Please note that we are fully onsite work environment, and require daily presence at our LoDo/Union Station or Back Bay (Boston) office. We are not considering remote, hybrid, or out-of-area candidates, and do not work with outside recruiting agencies.
MarketOnce will accept applications for this role on an ongoing basis.
MarketOnce is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We believe in creating a diverse and inclusive workplace where everyone has the opportunity to thrive. We are committed to hiring individuals based on their skills and qualifications, regardless of race, gender, age, sexual orientation, disability, or any other characteristic. We welcome and encourage applications from all backgrounds.

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