Compare pay with the right evidence. Our June 2026 ranges cover social and policy roles in UK research agencies; the 2024/25 Insight Census describes people across our insight network. Earlier salary guides are kept below with their dates.
June 2026: social & policy research salaries
Base salary ranges by grade for social and policy researchers in UK market research agencies. Compare these within this specialist agency market. Salary also depends on the employer, experience and the responsibilities of the role.
Base salary ranges by grade
Research Executive
Senior Research Executive
Research Manager / Senior Research Manager
Associate Director
Research Director
Associate Partner
£25k£50k£75k£100k
Each bar uses the same scale. The Associate Partner figure is an upper limit; its lower end was not stated. Exact values are in the table.
June 2026 social and policy research base salaries in UK agencies
Around 1,000 people working in insight responded to ENI’s 2024/25 Census, drawn from our candidate and client network and LinkedIn followers. Tapestry Research collected the data. These figures describe the survey respondents; role-by-role averages are in the earlier guide below.
Optimism about opportunities in insight fell.In every 100 respondents, six fewer felt optimistic than in the previous Census. Ringed dots are the optimism lost.
57%felt optimistic in the previous Census
51%feel optimistic in 2024/25
3%average salary increase in 2024
Up to 26%salary rise reported for people who changed roles in 2024
15%less earned by women than men overall in the survey
The reported pay difference was largely associated with differences in skill areas. Read the Census headline findings for the wider results and research context.
Earlier salary guides
These guides cover earlier periods. Use their dates and populations when comparing them with a current offer.
Average salaries by level, 2022/23
Permanent agency and client-side roles from our UK Insights, Market Research and Data Salary Guide 2022/23.
AgencyClient-side
Average salary by level, agency and client-side, from our 2022/23 salary guide (permanent roles)
Level
Agency
Client-side
Chart£0£40k£80k£120k
Entry/Grad
£27,844
£30,000
Mid-level
£38,887
£49,201
Senior/Manager
£48,312
£61,517
Head of/Director
£77,941
£97,237
Board-level/MD
£110,765
No data
Client-side roles paid 8–27% more than agency roles at the same level. Source: ENI UK Insights, Market Research and Data Salary Guide 2022/23. No client-side data at board level.
June 2026: social & policy research salaries
Base salary ranges by grade for social and policy researchers in UK market research agencies. Compare these within this specialist agency market. Salary also depends on the employer, experience and the responsibilities of the role.
Base salary ranges by grade
Read the full June 2026 report for market context, hiring trends and advice on using the ranges.