Looking to participate in paid research studies that offer substantial compensation?
We’ll show you how to find and qualify for high-paying research opportunities.
Best Paid Research Studies
Survey Junkie
Survey Junkie is one of the most well-regarded survey platforms available. You can earn money simply by sharing your honest opinions, which brands can use to improve their products and services. What makes Survey Junkie stand out from other platforms that offer paid research studies is that you can start making money immediately.
During sign-up, you will need to provide some of your personal details, so Survey Junkie can match your personal profile with research studies and surveys. You can then earn up to $100 per survey or focus group. Nonetheless, high-paying opportunities are rare and most surveys pay $0.50 to $3.
You can redeem your earnings via PayPal or via gift card starting from just $5. Depending on how active you are on the platform, you can stand to earn up to $200 per month.
Survey Junkie Summary
- $0.50-$3 average earnings per survey
- Extra points if you screened out of survey
- Additional ways to earn up to $150
- Install Survey Junkie extension for bonus
- Low payout threshold of $5
- Variety of surveys
Respondent
Respondent is a platform that frequently conducts market research through online focus groups and in-person studies.
When you create your Respondent account, you can browse the available studies that you qualify for based on your demographic information. You will also see the number of hours you will need to commit to each study and how much you can earn.
If you are interested in a project, you will need to answer a brief screener questionnaire to determine whether you qualify for it.
How much can you earn with Respondent?
| Profession | Average Hourly Rate |
|---|---|
| Software developers | $200 per hour |
| Marketers | $150 per hour |
| Executives | $700 per hour |
| Enterprise software users | $150 per hour |
| Business owners | $500 per hour |
| Sales and support | $100 per hour |
You can earn an average income of $140 per hour by participating in the company’s paid research studies. Respondent charges a relatively low 5% processing fee. Your earnings will usually arrive in your PayPal account within 10 days of completing the study.
User Interviews
User Interviews is a popular platform that organizes online and in-person paid market research studies. In general, study participants can expect to earn $50 to $200 per hour. Depending on the study’s goal, participants could discuss anything from their financial decisions to the types of skincare products they use.
Like most other platforms on this list, you will need to answer a screening survey before each study to determine your eligibility.
Before answering the screening survey, you can see what the research study pays. Thus, you can decide which studies really interest you.
Toluna Influencer
Toluna Influencers is a market research platform that has been around for over 20 years.
Some of the paid market research studies you can earn money by participating in include:
- Surveys
- Polls
- Focus groups
- Product testing
On average, most opportunities on the platform will reward you with around 100 points. You can also earn more points by referring family and friends. You will get 500 points for each successful referral, up to a maximum of 10 friends per month.
You can redeem your earnings for a $10 PayPal payment.
Brand Institute
Brand Institute is a branding company that specializes in the medical industry. Although the company has surveys on various topics, the medical surveys are the best paying. Regular surveys can pay up to $5, whereas medical surveys can pay up to $30.
To join the platform, you need to complete a simple questionnaire with your basic personal details.
Brand Institute also gives priority to applications from medical professionals such as:
- Nurses
- Doctors
- Pharmacists
- Medical technicians
However, note that the company processes payments quite slowly. Brand Institute only releases payment when surveys close, so you may sometimes need to wait several weeks to receive your payment.
Nonetheless, there is no minimum cash-out threshold, and you can redeem your earnings via PayPal or check.
Engage Studies
Engage Studies regularly advertises for participants to join the various market research studies that it organizes. The format of the paid research studies hosted by Engage Studies can range from online discussions to in-person focus groups.
To join the platform, you need to provide some personal information. Engage will then review your application, and you will receive an email notification when a suitable study becomes available.
The topics of research include:
- Electronics
- Music
- Food Products
- Medical Conditions
- and many more
You can expect to earn $50 to $250 for your participation, paid via PayPal or check.
Focus Group
As its name suggests, FocusGroup.com conducts paid research studies and online focus groups.
The company conducts national research studies that can pay between $75 to $200 each. You can participate in research studies over the phone or using a webcam. As with most other platforms, you will need to complete a relatively simple screening survey to qualify for projects.
The research studies conducted by the company can be on any topic ranging from banking and pets to entertainment and beer. As such, you are sure to find the best paid online focus groups that align with your hobbies and interests.
WatchLab
WatchLab is a leading company that facilitates all types of focus groups and research studies. The pay varies for each project, although it typically ranges from $100 to $175 for a 1 to 2-hour focus group.
The company has locations in Chicago and San Francisco, where you can receive on-the-spot payments for joining a focus group. You can also work online, but you will need to wait four to six weeks to receive your payment.
Recruit & Field
Recruit & Field is one of the longest-running platforms on this list and has been conducting paid research studies for over 40 years.
As a participant, you can participate in various types of studies to earn money, such as:
- Focus groups
- Online surveys
- Phone interviews
- Product testing
In general, you can expect to earn between $100 to $275 per research study. The company typically pays participants via PayPal, but some studies may offer the option for payment via gift cards.
Research studies on the platform are open to participants of any age or gender. However, medical professionals such as nurses, doctors, and lab technicians get priority for participation slots.
Carnegie Mellon University Research
If you’re an English speaker over 18 years old and have never joined any studies at this research center, you can join paid research studies at Carnegie Mellon University Research.
The topics of the studies vary, and can include topics such as:
- Decision making
- Personal beliefs
- Interpersonal perceptions
- Attitudes
Online studies typically take 5 to 20 minutes and you’ll earn approximately $8 per hour.
However, the institution does not compensate study participants in cash. Instead, participants will get gift cards as a token of appreciation for their time.
What Is a Paid Research Study?
Companies pay research studies to get honest feedback about their products and services from consumers. Online surveys are one of the most common ways that companies conduct such studies.
In general, paid research studies take the following format:
- A business hires a market research company to get feedback on their product
- The researcher creates a survey or focus group
- Participants answer questions in the survey or focus group anonymously
- The researcher collates the data and presents it to the business
- The business uses the feedback collected to improve their product
What Are the Requirements for Research Studies?
Most studies are designed to gather feedback from a target demographic.
Depending on the goal of the survey, you may need to:
- Be of a certain gender
- Be of a certain race
- Fit into an age range
- Have a specific occupation
- Meet some other criteria
Due to the targeted nature of paid research studies, you will usually be asked to answer some screening questions before each survey. These screening questions identify whether you fit the target demographic of the survey. If you don’t you may be disqualified.
Most platforms offering paid research studies do not provide any compensation if you screen out of a survey. However, there are some platforms that will pay you a small amount even if you do not qualify for a survey, such as Ipsos iSay.
Do You Get Paid for Research Studies?
Depending on the platform that you join, you could earn up to $100 or more per hour by participating in paid research studies.
For instance, Respondent pays its market research participants one of the highest rates on the market. Research study participants on the platform can earn an average of $140 per hour. Participants from certain in-demand demographics can even earn up to $700 per hour.
Are Focus Groups Safe?
Focus groups are generally safe. However, you need to ensure that you choose a legit platform. As with most industries, some scam companies promise unrealistic pay and usually require you to sign up for something.
If you choose a legit company, you can rest assured that participating in a focus group is safe and a fun way to earn cash in your spare time.