Will survey researchers be replaced by AI?
Updated
Survey researchers score 59 of 100 for AI exposure. The largest share of their task time, 51%, is work AI speeds up while they stay in charge. AI can take over 43% outright, and 6% stays with people.
- 43% AI can do it
- 51% AI helps
- 6% Needs a person
High exposure
Higher than 89% of the 923 occupations we scored.
Task by task
We graded 16 tasks, listed here from most to least exposed. AI can do 7 of them today, speeds up 8 and leaves 1 to people.
| Task | AI exposure |
|---|---|
| Review, classify, and record survey data in preparation for computer analysis. Coding, cleaning, and recording responses is highly automatable routine work. | 85% AI can do it |
| Conduct research to gather information about survey topics. Literature reviews and web research are well suited to AI tools. | 75% AI can do it |
| Produce documentation of the questionnaire development process, data collection methods, sampling designs, and decisions related to sample statistical weighting. AI drafts methods documentation well from notes and code. | 75% AI can do it |
| Write training manuals to be used by survey interviewers. Training manuals are structured writing AI produces readily. | 75% AI can do it |
| Prepare and present summaries and analyses of survey data, including tables, graphs, and fact sheets that describe survey techniques and results. AI drafts summaries, tables, and charts quickly; humans check results. | 70% AI can do it |
| Monitor and evaluate survey progress and performance, using sample disposition reports and response rate calculations. Response rates and disposition reports are routine calculations. | 65% AI can do it |
| Write proposals to win new projects. AI drafts proposal text well; humans shape pitch and pricing. | 65% AI can do it |
| Analyze data from surveys, old records, or case studies, using statistical software. AI writes analysis code and drafts results; researcher checks interpretation. | 65% AI helps |
| Determine and specify details of survey projects, including sources of information, procedures to be used, and the design of survey instruments and materials. AI drafts questionnaire wording and procedures; experts make design choices. | 55% AI helps |
| Support, plan, and coordinate operations for single or multiple surveys. Scheduling, tracking, and vendor coordination are partly automatable with tools. | 40% AI helps |
Show the other 6 tasks
| Task | AI exposure |
|---|---|
| Conduct surveys and collect data, using methods such as interviews, questionnaires, focus groups, market analysis surveys, public opinion polls, literature reviews, and file reviews. Live interviews and focus groups need people; online collection automates. | 30% AI helps |
| Direct updates and changes in survey implementation and methods. Method change decisions need leadership; AI can summarize options. | 30% AI helps |
| Consult with clients to identify survey needs and specific requirements, such as special samples. Client needs discussions require human judgement; AI drafts scoping notes. | 25% AI helps |
| Collaborate with other researchers in the planning, implementation, and evaluation of surveys. Collaboration is mostly human discussion; AI helps with shared drafts. | 25% AI helps |
| Hire and train recruiters and data collectors. AI aids job ads; hiring judgement stays human. | 25% AI helps |
| Direct and review the work of staff members, including survey support staff and interviewers who gather survey data. Leading people is human work; AI only helps check output. | 15% Needs a person |
How survey researchers compare
All occupations (923)
Life, physical and social science (60)
Pay and outlook in the US
- Median pay
- $69,460 a year, May 2025
- People employed
- 8,290 in the US, May 2025
- Projected change in jobs
- -4.8% from 2024 to 2034
Skills to build
- Run weighting and sampling design checks in R or Stata
- Supervise interviewers and review fieldwork output in REDCap
- Hold client scoping meetings for special sample requirements
- Design questionnaires and test question wording in Qualtrics Insight
- Interpret survey results and defend findings in PowerPoint
- Audit Python or SAS cleaning scripts before results go out
Safer roles nearby
5 related occupations with lower scores.
Questions about survey researchers and AI
Will AI replace survey researchers?
Partly. About 5 in 10 working hours go to tasks AI can already do, mostly coding, cleaning, and recording survey responses and drafting methods documentation. Client scoping, live interviewing, and directing staff stay with people because they need judgement and direct contact with others.
Which survey researcher tasks is AI taking over?
Coding, cleaning, and recording survey responses scores 85 on exposure, the highest of any task in this job. AI can produce much of that work through Python, SAS, or SPSS scripts. Literature reviews and web research score 75 for the same reason, since AI tools search and summarize sources quickly.
Which survey researcher tasks stay human?
Directing staff and interviewers scores 15 on exposure, the lowest in this job, because leading people depends on judgement and direct contact. Consulting clients on special samples scores 25, since it starts with asking what the client actually needs. Only 6 percent of task weight sits fully in the human column, so most of the job becomes review of AI output.
How can survey researchers stay valuable as AI takes on more work?
Move your hours toward client scoping, fieldwork supervision, and sign-off on sampling and weighting decisions. Hold the meetings that set special sample requirements yourself. Check AI-produced cleaning code and response rate calculations in SAS, Stata, or REDCap before any result leaves the team.
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Next steps for survey researchers
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