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Careers›Roles›Retail Data Collector
Mid-Level

Retail Data Collector

Out in stores, you gather the on-the-ground data companies use to track the market — prices, stock, placement, promotions — store by store. Eyes on the shelf, feeding the bigger picture.

Career Level
Junior
Mid
Senior
Director
VP
Executive
Work Personality
I
C
E
S
A
R
Investigativeanalytical, curious
Conventionalorganizing, detail-oriented
Based on Holland Code framework
Industries that often hire Retail Data Collectors
Technology & InformationProfessional Services · 62%Education · 20%Government · 11%Consumer Services · 3%Healthcare · 2%
Job markets for Retail Data Collectors
Employment concentration · ~22 areas
Based on employment in related occupations
Mapped SOC categories:
Technology
BLS Occupational Employment Statistics
Jump to:What it's likeCareer pathsBy the numbers
What it's like

What it's like to be a Retail Data Collector

The work runs through visiting stores on a route, recording prices, inventory, displays, and conditions, and entering accurate data on a device. You're on the move, often independently, with a schedule and quotas. Accuracy matters because decisions ride on your data, and a lot of the job is repetitive, detail-driven fieldwork with plenty of driving and walking.

What surprises people is the independence and the repetition — you're largely on your own, doing similar tasks store after store. Pay tends to be modest, the work can feel monotonous, and mileage, weather, and access complicate the day. It ranges from part-time gig work to steady routes, each with its own pace.

It fits someone reliable, self-directed, and comfortable with detailed, solo work. If you need social interaction or variety, the repetition and isolation can wear. But if you like being on the move, working independently, and a flexible, low-barrier entry into data work, the role tends to suit, route after route.

What people in this role value
IndependenceAbove avg
AchievementModerate
RecognitionModerate
RelationshipsModerate
Working ConditionsLower
SupportLower
O*NET Work Values survey
✦ Editorial — written by Truest from industry research and career patterns
Career Paths

Where this role sits in the broader career landscape — and where it can take you.

Earning potential across this track
$239K$179K$119K$60K$0KLower paying387 metro areas, sorted by salary level
All experience levels1
This level's estimated range
INDUSTRIES PAYING ABOVE AVERAGE
Technology & Information$112K+9%
Professional Services$101K-2%
Energy & Utilities$88K-15%
Wholesale & Distribution$85K-17%
Government$80K-22%
Compared to Technology average across all industries
1 BLS OEWS May 2024 covers all Retail Data Collectors (SOC 19-3022.00), not just this title · BEA RPP 2023
* Top salaries exceed this figure. BLS caps reported wages at ~$240K to protect individual privacy in high-earning roles.
Related rolesExplore Technology →
Retail Data CollectorData Science EngineerMarketing Data ScientistField RepresentativeResearch ScientistSurvey AnalystData AnalystData CollectorResearch AssociateInterviewerResearch InterviewerField CollectorField InterviewerSurvey InterviewerTelephone InterviewerBilingual Field InterviewerProctorSurvey StatisticianPollsterField Data CollectorSurvey MethodologistAnalytic MethodologistSurvey Research AnalystData Collection SpecialistMarket Survey Representative+1 more
Exploring the Retail Data Collector career path? Truest helps you figure out if it's the right fit — and plan your path forward.
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✦ Editorial — career progression and interview guidance based on industry patterns
The Broader Landscape

Roles like this one sit within a broader occupational category. The numbers below reflect that full landscape — helpful for context, but your specific experience will depend on level, specialty, and where you work.

$37K–$119K
Salary Range
10th – 90th percentile
8K
U.S. Employment
-5.2%
10yr Growth
700
Annual Openings

How this category is changing

$80K$77K$74K$71K$68K201920202021202220232024$68K$80K
BLS OEWS May 2024 · BLS Employment Projections 2024–2034

Skills & Requirements

Critical ThinkingReading ComprehensionActive ListeningWritingSpeakingMathematicsActive LearningComplex Problem SolvingJudgment and Decision MakingCoordination
O*NET OnLine · Bureau of Labor Statistics
Mapped SOC Codes
19-3022.00

Explore related roles

Roles with similar work and overlapping career paths

directorData Operations Director$171KmidData Science Engineer$113KmidMarketing Data Scientist$113KmidField Representative$51KmidResearch Scientist$95KseniorSenior Research Scientist$95K
View all Technology roles →

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Federal data: BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics (May 2024) · BLS Employment Projections · O*NET OnLine
Truest editorial: Fit check, role profile, things that vary, advancement analysis, lateral moves, interview questions.