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Qualitative Research Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Moffitt

Summary Qualitative Research Specialist II The Qualitative Research Specialist II provides support to investigators and research teams conducting qualitative research studies. Duties include ...

Temple University

Research Associate

Philadelphia, PA · On-site

$50K - $55K/yr

The Research Associate (Qualitative Research Support) is responsible for coordinating key components of research study activities with a focus on qualitative research projects. This role supports the ...

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How much do qualitative research jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 10, 2026, the average hourly pay for qualitative research in the United States is $22.22, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $17.31 and $23.80 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

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

To thrive as a Qualitative Researcher, you need expertise in research design, data collection methods such as interviews and focus groups, and a background in social sciences or related fields. Familiarity with qualitative data analysis software like NVivo or ATLAS.ti and knowledge of ethical research standards are typically required. Strong analytical thinking, attention to detail, and effective communication help you interpret data and convey findings to diverse audiences. These skills ensure rigorous, insightful research that informs decision-making and advances understanding in various disciplines.

What does a qualitative researcher do?

A qualitative researcher designs and conducts studies to gather in-depth insights into people's behaviors, motivations, and experiences through methods like interviews, focus groups, and observations. They analyze non-numerical data to identify patterns and themes, often using tools such as coding software, and typically require strong communication and analytical skills. The role is common in market research, social sciences, and user experience fields.

What are some common challenges faced in a qualitative research role, and how can they be effectively managed?

A common challenge in qualitative research is recruiting and retaining suitable participants, especially for niche or sensitive topics. Researchers also often face difficulties in ensuring objectivity during data collection and analysis, given the subjective nature of qualitative data. To address these issues, it's helpful to use robust recruitment strategies, maintain clear communication with participants, and employ techniques such as reflexivity and triangulation to minimize bias. Collaborating closely with team members and regularly debriefing can further enhance data quality and researcher well-being.

What jobs use qualitative research?

Qualitative research is used in roles such as market research analyst, user experience researcher, social scientist, and product manager. These jobs involve collecting and analyzing non-numerical data like interviews, focus groups, and observations to understand behaviors, motivations, and opinions. Skills in data analysis, communication, and familiarity with research tools are essential in these positions.

What is the difference between Qualitative Research vs Quantitative Research?

AspectQualitative ResearchQuantitative Research
Primary FocusExploring perceptions, opinions, and motivationsMeasuring and quantifying data
Data Collection MethodsInterviews, focus groups, observationsSurveys, experiments, statistical analysis
Work EnvironmentResearch firms, marketing agencies, academic settingsMarket research, data analysis firms, academic labs
Required SkillsCommunication, analytical thinking, qualitative analysisStatistical skills, data management, quantitative analysis

Qualitative Research focuses on understanding the 'why' and 'how' behind behaviors through non-numerical data, while Quantitative Research emphasizes numerical data to identify patterns and measure variables. Both roles are essential in research projects but serve different purposes based on the type of data collected and analyzed.

What are qualitative research jobs?

Qualitative research jobs focus on the collection and analysis of non-numerical data to support market or scientific initiatives. Positions exist in a variety of industries, including finance, consumer goods, and health care. Market research analysts, for example, analyze consumer data to find answers to better understand and predict buying trends. Survey researchers collate and analyze data related to a number of subjects, including politics, lifestyle trends, and education. Opportunities for qualitative researchers exist in government, consulting services, and education.

Is qualitative research a stressful job?

Qualitative research can be stressful due to tight deadlines, the need for detailed analysis, and managing client or stakeholder expectations. However, it often involves collaborative work, critical thinking, and the use of interview or focus group techniques, which can help mitigate stress for some professionals.

What is qualitative research?

Qualitative research is a method of inquiry that focuses on understanding human behavior, experiences, and social phenomena through non-numerical data such as interviews, observations, and text analysis. Unlike quantitative research, which seeks to measure and analyze variables numerically, qualitative research explores meanings, concepts, and descriptions to gain deeper insights. Researchers often use open-ended questions and flexible study designs to collect rich, detailed information. This approach is commonly used in social sciences, education, health, and market research to understand complex issues from participants' perspectives.
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Qualitative Research jobs near you
Infographic showing various Qualitative Research job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% Internship, 1% As Needed, 87% Full Time, 9% Part Time, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 87% Physical, 4% Hybrid, and 9% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $46,222 per year, or $22.2 per hour.

Qualitative Data Analyst

Amatriot Group, LLC

Bethesda, MD

$90K - $120K/yr

Full-time

Re-posted 14 days ago

Job description

Security Clearance: Secret

Location: West Bethesda, MD

Job Type: Full-Time

Target Salary Range*: $90,000 - $120,000.

*This represents the potential salary range for this position depending on education level, years of experience and/or certifications in addition to other position specific requirements which may impact salary

Position Overview:

Amatriot is hiring a Qualitative Data Analyst to support digital modernization and readiness efforts at the Naval Surface Warfare Center, Carderock Division. This role supports the Command Digital Office and Office of Technology by analyzing interview and exercise transcripts to extract meaningful insights that inform decisions on readiness, data strategy, and knowledge management.

This is a hands-on analyst role—not a strategy or advisory position—ideal for someone with strong research and analytical skills who can design and carry out qualitative studies.

Key Responsibilities:

  • Translate transcript data from exercises or interviews into structured qualitative findings
  • Conduct sentiment analysis using Natural Language Processing (NLP) tools
  • Apply qualitative research methods, including:
    • Content analysis
    • Narrative and discourse analysis
    • Thematic coding
    • Grounded theory
  • Present findings clearly through written reports and visualizations
  • Collaborate with existing data management and readiness teams
  • Support development of data and knowledge management practices

Qualifications:

  • 3-8 years of experience conducting qualitative research or analysis
  • Experience working with textual data such as interviews or transcripts
  • Proficiency with NLP techniques and tools for sentiment or text analysis
  • Familiarity with basic quantitative methods and statistics
  • Strong writing and communication skills; able to explain complex findings clearly
  • Active Secret clearance
  • Ability to obtain Security+ certification within 30 days of hire

Preferred Qualifications:

  • Security+ already in hand
  • Experience working in or with defense or government organizations
  • Experience supporting data or knowledge management initiatives