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Senior Research Analyst Jobs in Virginia (NOW HIRING)

Holland & Knight

Senior Research Analyst

Richmond, VA · On-site

$114K - $115K/yr

The Senior Research Analyst responds to complex legal, corporate, and industry research requests, meeting the daily information needs of firm lawyers, business professionals and clients using ...

BCS Allegient

Analyst

Arlington, VA · On-site

$85K - $100K/yr

Working Title Sr. Research Analyst Payroll Title Analyst Location BCSA Arlington Office - Arlington, VA 22203 US (Primary) Category Administrative / Clerical Job Type Full-time Job Classification ...

Clearpath

Senior Political Research Analyst

Arlington, VA · On-site

$90 - $130/hr

As a Senior Political Research Analyst, you will leverage your research experience to better inform our electoral strategies. How You Will Contribute * Conduct policy and legislative research on ...

SimIS Inc.

Senior Operations Research Analyst (N)

Norfolk, VA · On-site

$112K - $112K/yr

To support our NATO customer, SimIS seeks a Senior Operations Research Analyst to support the capture, development, architecture, analysis, and quality assurance of capability requirements, and ...

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Senior Research Analyst information

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$50.6K

$110.5K

$116.5K

How much do senior research analyst jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 3, 2026, the average yearly pay for senior research analyst in Virginia is $110,489.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $115,000.00 and $115,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a senior research analyst do?

A senior research analyst works for a company in an analytical capacity, researching market information and technical data. In this career, your job duties are to gather information about the company, the markets, and other information from various sources, analyze the data, and write reports based on your findings. The qualifications needed for a career as a senior research analyst include a bachelor’s degree and experience relevant to your field. You also need several years of experience in a lower level analyst role, strong written and verbal communication skills, and computer proficiency.

What does a senior research analyst do?

A Senior Research Analyst is responsible for conducting advanced data analysis, interpreting complex information, and providing insights to support business decisions. They typically design research methodologies, collect and evaluate data from various sources, and present findings to stakeholders. Senior Research Analysts often mentor junior analysts, ensure data accuracy, and may specialize in specific industries like finance, marketing, or healthcare. Their work helps organizations identify trends, forecast outcomes, and develop effective strategies.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a senior research analyst, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Senior Research Analyst, you need advanced analytical skills, expertise in research methodologies, and a relevant degree such as in economics, statistics, or business. Familiarity with data analysis tools like SPSS, SAS, R, or Tableau, as well as experience with database management and research software, is typically required. Strong communication, critical thinking, and problem-solving abilities distinguish top performers in this role. These skills are crucial for extracting actionable insights from complex data, informing strategic decisions, and effectively presenting findings to stakeholders.

How does a senior research analyst typically contribute to cross-functional projects within an organization?

Senior Research Analysts often play a crucial role in cross-functional projects by providing data-driven insights and market analysis to support strategic decision-making. They collaborate closely with teams such as marketing, product development, and finance, translating complex research findings into actionable recommendations tailored to each department's needs. This role frequently involves presenting results to stakeholders, aligning research objectives with business goals, and ensuring that projects are informed by the latest industry trends and reliable data sources.

What is the difference between Senior Research Analyst vs Research Analyst?

AspectSenior Research AnalystResearch Analyst
Required CredentialsBachelor's degree, often a master's; experience preferredBachelor's degree typically sufficient
Work EnvironmentMore complex projects, mentorship rolesData collection, analysis, reporting
Employer & Industry UsageFinancial, market research, consulting firmsSimilar industries, entry to mid-level roles
Common Search & ComparisonOften compared for career progressionBaseline role for research careers

The main difference between a Senior Research Analyst and a Research Analyst lies in experience, project complexity, and responsibilities. Senior Research Analysts typically handle more advanced projects, mentor junior staff, and require more experience or advanced degrees. Research Analysts focus on data collection and analysis at an entry or mid-level. Both roles are common in finance, market research, and consulting industries, with the senior position representing a step up in expertise and leadership.

More about Senior Research Analyst jobs

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For Senior Research Analyst jobs in Virginia, the most frequently searched job titles are:

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Senior Research Analyst jobs near you
Infographic showing various Senior Research Analyst job openings in Virginia as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 86% Full Time, 11% Part Time, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 81% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 16% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $110,489 per year, or $53.1 per hour.

Senior Research Analyst

Institute for Justice

Arlington, VA • On-site

$120K - $130K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 15 days ago

Job description

Do you want to use your empirical research skills to advance individual rights? This is what the Institute for Justice's Strategic Research team does every day, creating data-driven research used by journalists, lawmakers, advocates, and courts to bring light to government abuse and achieve reform. We are seeking entrepreneurial researchers to join our team in leadership roles. Title is negotiable to reflect research and managerial skills and experience.
Primary Responsibilities:
  • Developing and executing research plans on a wide range of cutting-edge topics, such as civil forfeiture, occupational licensing, qualified immunity, zoning/housing, and 4th Amendment rights.
    • Working closely with IJ attorneys and researchers to generate research questions that advance our issues and to identify the strongest methods to answer them.
    • Finding datasets or creative ways to build them, as well as managing data collection.
    • Manipulating and analyzing large datasets with both descriptive and inferential statistics, as well as drafting and managing surveys.
    • Mining research literature for new ideas, potential collaborators, and methodological insights.
    • Leading both solo and team projects.
  • Managing and mentoring junior researchers and assistants to maintain high standards of accuracy, methodological rigor, and integrity.
  • Ensuring research findings reach key audiences, such as journalists and lawmakers, to bring important issues to prominence and create policy change.
    • Writing clear, accessible reports for general audiences, as well as articles for peer-reviewed journals.
    • Conducting media interviews; testifying before legislatures and city councils; writing media materials, such as op-eds and letters to the editor; speaking at public events.
    • Strategizing with IJ's communications, legislative, activism, and research teams to maximize distribution and impact.

Qualifications:
  • Strong background in research design and statistical analysis, preferably including managing project teams:
    • Ph.D. in social sciences or statistics with an emphasis on research methods, applied statistics, or applied economics; or master's degree in applied statistics or applied economics with three years' experience.
    • Experience conducting original analytical research, such as with a policy institute, in alegislative, executive, or regulatory role, orthrough a university-based research center.
    • Strong skills with statistical software such as Stata; proficiency with Python, R, or GIS is helpful.
  • Proficient in using descriptive and inferential analysis to answer research questions.
  • Demonstrated ability to generate research ideas, develop research plans, and manage projects to completion.
  • Experience with both original data collection (whether through public records requests, web scraping, document review, or other means) and use of datasets from government or non-governmental sources preferred.
  • Capable of identifying relevant scholarly and non-scholarly literature to generate research ideas and solve methodological problems.
  • Experience managing junior researchers and ensuring accurate and high-quality products.
  • Excellent written and oral communication skills, especially for non-technical audiences.
  • Proven ability to handle multiple projects and meet deadlines.
  • Strong problem-solving and critical-thinking skills.
  • Self-motivation and enthusiasm for collaboration.
  • Passion for IJ's mission of championing property rights, economic liberty, free speech, and educational choice.

Benefits:
  • Hybrid work schedule
  • Flexible work hours with our core business hours of 10am and 4pm
  • Smart casual dress code; casual Fridays
  • Health, Dental, and Vision insurance (IJ covers 100% of individual premiums)
  • Free Short-Term Disability, Long-Term Disability, and Life insurance plans
  • HSA employer contributions
  • 401(k) with employer matches
  • Generous PTO including a paid personal day and 12 paid holidays

To apply, please submit a resume, a writing sample, and a cover letter detailing why you are interested in working at IJ. We are currently accepting applications on a rolling basis.
This position is posted at the Senior Analyst level with a salary range of $120,000-$130,000. This range reflects required qualifications; candidates with additional relevant experience or skills may be considered outside of this range.
More about the Institute for Justice's SR Team:IJ's Strategic Research team creates social science and policy research, but our studies don't just sit on a library shelf collecting dust. We put our researchto workby combining it with IJ's unique brand of cutting-edge litigation, award-winning communications and top-notch activism and legislative outreach. Our studies have been cited by theWhite Houseand theU.S. SupremeCourt, as well asleadingnewsoutletsnationwide. They have been published in leading peer-reviewed journals. Our work helped certify a victorious class action lawsuit against Philadelphia'scivil forfeiture machine, ensure the return of cashwrongfully seizedby the IRS, roll backneedless occupational licensing, dismantle speech-squelchingcampaign finance laws, and protect programs that empowerparents to choosethe best schools for their children.
#LI-Hybrid
IJ is an equal opportunity employer.
Don't meet every single requirement? Studies have shown that women and people of color are less likely to apply to jobs unless they meet every single qualification. At IJ we value a diverse workplace, so if you're excited about this role but your past experience doesn't align perfectly with every qualification in the job description, we encourage you to apply anyway. You may be just the right candidate for this or other roles.
To learn more about our culture and benefits, visit our Working at IJ page. No phone calls please.
#LI-Hybrid

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