pay research studies

15 Legitimate Places to Participate in Paid Research Studies

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From testing products and services to sleep and diet studies, here's a list of vetted places you can participate in paid focus groups.

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A few years ago, I got an invitation to attend a research study hosted by a local skincare company. They were launching a new line of products and wanted feedback from 20 to 25 year-old-women with dry skin.

Since I was a new college grad who needed extra cash, I decided to go. They asked me various questions regarding my current skincare regimen, the products I used, and how I felt about them. It only took an hour, and I got a $75 Visa gift card and a few product samples. Not a bad way to kill an hour.

If you like the idea of getting paid to share your opinions, you’re in luck. There are plenty of places that host paid research studies. While the study I did was in-person, there are many online research studies you can do at home.

Websites That Offer Paid Research Studies

You can find online focus groups that’ll pay you for your time and feedback through a variety of websites. Each site has its own requirements and payment structure, so it’s a good idea to explore all the options available.

1. Survey Junkie

Survey Junkie is a survey site that’s been around since 2005. It will pay you to take surveys and express your opinions to big brands who want to improve their products and services. After you answer several questions about yourself and create a profile, the site will match you to surveys that are relevant to you.

Any time you complete a survey, you’ll earn virtual points, which you can redeem for PayPal cash or online gift cards. Most surveys take anywhere from 5 to 20 minutes, and you can expect to make between 100 to 200 points or $1 to $3 per survey. You won’t have to buy any products or sign up for other websites.

2. American Consumer Opinion

American Consumer Opinion is a survey panel that partners with large companies who want customer opinions. To join, you’ll enter basic information such as your age and where you live. Then, you’ll take a general household survey where you’ll share details about your lifestyle.

You’ll likely receive survey invitations via email several times a year. The number of points you’ll rack up will depend on the length of the surveys.

While short surveys are typically worth anywhere between 5 and 50 points, you can earn up to 5,000 points with longer ones. One point equals $0.01, and you can cash your points in for PayPal cash or donate them to charity.

Related: 17 Best Places to Take Paid Online Surveys for Money

3. Respondent

Respondent is unique because it organizes one-on-one paid research studies online and in person. You can sign up with your email address or via your Facebook or LinkedIn profile through the site.

Once you do, you’ll fill out some basic personal information such as your name, birthday, and email address. They’ll also ask for demographic details like your gender, ethnicity, and educational background.

After you’ve signed up, you’ll browse all of the “projects” available and details like the pay and how long they take to complete. When you see a project that interests you, you can apply to it through a short questionnaire. You’ll be emailed if the company chooses you for their project.

Most of the projects focus on small business or technology and pay anywhere from $50 to $85 via PayPal for 45 minutes to an hour of your time.

4. FocusGroup.com

FocusGroup.com began in 1988 and offers surveys as well as in-person and online focus groups via phone and webcam. After you create a profile, you’ll be emailed surveys and focus group invitations.

The majority of the site’s surveys and focus groups revolve around health and wellness, pet products, finances, and shopping habits.

You’ll earn between $75 and $150 if you participate in focus groups and points for surveys, which you can apply toward a prepaid Visa debit card. You can cash out 100 points for $1.00.

5. Plaza Research

Plaza Research pays parents, kids, teens, students, doctors, and business professionals to share their opinions on new products and services. It hosts surveys and a variety of in-person focus groups throughout the country.

If you attend a focus group, you’ll likely be asked to try a new product, watch a TV commercial, or discuss your thoughts about future products. To receive survey and focus group invitations, fill out an online form. The form will ask you questions about your education, electronic use, employment, household, pets, and more.

You’ll get an email if you’re a good fit for a survey or focus group. The amount you’ll earn depends on its length and scope. Most participants will earn between $50 and $200, paid via check, for two hours of their time.

Related: How to Get Paid to Write Reviews

6. Mindswarms

You can create an account online or via the Mindswarms mobile app and get paid to answer questions via your smartphone or webcam.

After you apply to a survey that appeals to you, you’ll answer a few targeted questions to make sure you’re a good fit for it. If you are, you’ll answer seven questions and earn about $50. The money will be sent to your PayPal account within 24 hours. You can also redeem your earnings for an Amazon gift card.

7. Fieldwork

Fieldwork has facilitated marketing research studies since 1980. The company hosts in-person focus groups in 11 cities across the U.S. If you don’t live near any of these cities, you can still register for Fieldwork’s national database and participate in online or phone interviews.

To register, fill out an online questionnaire and wait for Fieldwork to call or email you when an opportunity is available. Most in-person focus groups last between one and two hours and can be on random topics such as cereal and video games. Compensation is usually a $75 Visa gift card.

8. User Interviews

User Interviews organizes focus groups in-person, via phone, or video streaming about products, services, and websites. For a chance to participate, create a profile with your birthday, gender, household income, marital status, and education level.

If you find a project that interests you, complete a short screener survey to see if you’re eligible. If you are, you can sign up for the focus group and earn an average of $50/hr. You’ll get paid via check.

9. Brand Institute

Brand Institute is a branding agency that supports healthcare and pharmaceutical companies with their marketing initiatives. You can become a Brand Institute panel member after you fill out a short online registration form. If you qualify for a paid research study, you’ll get an email notification and can participate right away.

Payment depends on the survey you take, and you’re more likely to receive invites for higher-paying surveys if you have a medical background. You can earn between $2 and $30 via check or PayPal. Doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and others in healthcare report that they receive about four surveys a month.

Engage finds respondents for various market research and usability studies. It offers both in-person focus groups and online discussions for panel members. You can join the healthcare panel if you’re a medical professional or consumer panel if you’re an everyday consumer.

You’ll have to provide information about your income, marital status, education level, and job. Once you do, you’ll receive an email notification whenever you qualify for a study. Most studies cover topics like cars, electronics, food products, music, and medical conditions. They usually pay $50 to $250 via check or PayPal.

Universities that Facilitate Paid Focus Groups

  You can also find paid focus groups at colleges and universities. Many of them offer year-round opportunities and focus on psychology and human behavior. While most of these studies are performed online, a few require that you participate in person.

You don’t have to be a student to participate, and payment is typically in the form of PayPal cash, gift cards, or a check. If you’d like to earn money via college-run focus groups, take a look at the schools near your home. Their websites will likely include details about these types of opportunities.

• Purdue University ( See studies )
• Center for Decision Sciences Columbia Business School ( See studies )
• Northwestern University Department of Psychology ( See studies )
• Harvard University Psychology Study Pool ( See studies )
• MIT Behavioral Research Lab ( See studies )

DollarSprout co-founder Jeff Proctor participated in a six-week research study on high-fat diets at Virginia Tech. During the study, he was compensated with meals and $500.

“It was a great experience but very involved,” he said. “I had to check in every day to get weighed, choose my meals, and get several blood and urine samples taken.”

How to Tell if a Focus Group Opportunity is Legit

Even though many focus group opportunities are legitimate, there are plenty of work-from-home scams out there. If you have to pay to participate or reveal confidential information such as your Social Security number or credit card details, that’s a red flag. Stay away from any focus groups that force you to buy products or services or sign up for other websites.

If you find an opportunity that interests you, do some online research to make sure it’s valid. Check the Better Business Bureau to see its rating and read any complaints. This way you can avoid a situation where you get excited about a focus group and then find out it’s a scam.

A legitimate company will never charge you to attend a focus group or take a survey. In addition, they’ll have a privacy policy that’s prominently displayed on their website and will only email you from a business email account, rather than one from a free service like Gmail or Yahoo.

Related: How One Woman Earns $5,000 per Month as a Surrogate Mother 

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Online Focus Groups: 27 Paid Research Companies that Pay Up to $250 an Hour for Your Opinion

I recently participated in a paid focus group in San Francisco. You know, the kind with the one-way mirror on the wall.

We talked about travel habits and preferences for an hour and half, and I got paid $150 for my time and opinions. Not bad!

The whole thing was pretty quick and painless—and actually kind of interesting—which got me thinking that this could be a great side hustle . Especially if I could do it from home!

So down the rabbit hole I went, trying to find other companies that conduct paid research studies online .

And I should note before we get started that these aren’t the typical companies that pop up when you search for “online surveys.” Those companies, like Swagbucks and  InboxDollars , are legit, but pay relatively little .

The companies I was after here were the ones that pay bigger sums to make it more worth your time. I earned $100 an hour for my little focus group adventure, and you can too.

Earn $50-150/hr, with thousands of new studies added each month.

Earn an average of $75 per project, and get notified of upcoming studies you may qualify for.

Patients and caregivers can earn $120/hour while helping advance medical research.

1. User Interviews

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User Interviews facilitates in-person and online consumer conversations about products, websites, and services. The pay rates vary, but the average seems to be around $50-100 an hour.

I’ve earned $105 through the site so far, in exchange for about an hour a half.

In one of my studies, I earned a $10 Amazon gift card for completing a short online survey for bald guys! It said it should take 15 minutes, but all the questions were straight yes/no, so it probably only took 5.

User Interviews is a legit facilitator of online (and in-person) consumer research studies. Participants can get paid (generally $50-150/hr) to share their opinion and shape future products and services. While this won’t replace your day job, it can be a nice supplemental income.

• One of the best-paying survey companies I've found.
• Easy to sign-up.
• Lots of new studies added every week.
• Can be difficult to get selected.

Click here to join User Interviews .

Or check out our full User Interviews review .

Respondent is a cool service that facilitates consumer research studies online—and often pays $100+ an hour !

Once you create your account, you’ll be able to browse all the open studies you might qualify for. The research brief shares the type of person the company is looking to connect with, the expected time commitment, and pay rate .

If it looks like a fit, answer the brief screener questionnaire to throw your hat in the ring. Don’t get discouraged if you don’t get selected right away—I’ve been selected for 5 studies out of 50 screeners so far.

While there are some “general population” studies, the best-paying opportunities are for industry professionals— up to $750 an hour!

The company takes a 5% processing fee, but the rest of the funds you earn will hit your PayPal account within 8-10 days of your study. (I’ve earned $395 through Respondent so far! )

Click here to join Respondent .

Read our full Respondent.io review here .

(Since recording, I’ve done a couple more studies.)

A leading source for medical research, Rare Patient Voice pays patients and caregivers $120 an hour. You can browse a full list of available studies on their site—nearly all of which are phone or webcam interviews.

If you suffer from any sort of medical condition (even if it’s not super rare), this one is worth a look.

The site is open to residents of the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Italy, Spain, France, Germany, Australia, and New Zealand.

While most Survey Junkie earning opportunities don’t pay much, you’ll occasionally get emails for better-paying focus group and product testing studies.

These admittedly are pretty rare, but pay up to $75.

Still, power users of the regular Survey Junkie site/app report earning up to $40 a month. 

Super popular survey app that rewards you for sharing your opinion.

The site boasts more than 20 million members and pays out more than $1 million every month.

Click here to sign up for Survey Junkie .

Start here instead. Punch in your name and email below I'll show you step-by-step how to add $500 to your bottom line.

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Another well-established market research company is Product Report Card . They offer paid surveys, product testing and review gigs, and online focus groups.

The best-paying work is for in-home product tests and remote interviews and focus groups — often in the $75-$150/hour range.

Product Report Card will also give you a $5 welcome bonus for completing a short survey after you join. There’s a $25 minimum to cash-out.

Lightster is a unique money making app , where you get matched with brands and researchers based on your profile.

To get started, you’ll add some demographic information about yourself and answer some questions about your experience and interests.

After that, you may see some questions pop up in the app. Answer those to qualify for paid research conversations that pay $1 per minute.

I got invited to my first half hour session within a couple weeks of downloading the app, and got paid (via Amazon gift card) right away.

I was excited to discover PingPong as a newcomer to the online market research field. The service specializes in user experience testing for apps and websites, with pay rates ranging between €10 and €100 an hour. (Roughly $11-110.)

You might be curious—with the rates in euros—if this one is open to non-Europeans. PingPong let me join as an American and says they welcome testers from all over the world.

Since joining, I’ve received invites to several studies but haven’t been able to book one just yet.

Fieldwork was the company that hosted the San Francisco focus group I participated in. They have locations throughout the US:

• Los Angeles (Orange County)
• Minneapolis
• San Francisco

Compensation starts at $75 for participating in focus groups, which usually last between 1-2 hours. The drawback was I got paid in Visa gift cards instead of cash, so I went to the grocery store and bought Amazon gift cards with them instead.

Maven is a unique on-demand consulting platform. You can set your own rates to participate in one-off expert interviews, paid market research studies, and online industry surveys.

(Experts can also get hired for longer-term consulting projects, as well.)

Maven has been around since 2008, and routinely has projects paying anywhere from $25-$500+. 

Experience Dynamics specializes in user experience and user interface testing (UX and UI). Corporate clients pay Experience Dynamics to help “make their users smile,” and they turn around and pay people like you for honest feedback on website designs and software applications.

According to the site, they recruit testers worldwide with all levels of technology experience. Most studies pay between $50-$150 dollars.

Experience Dynamics also facilitates:

• Field Studies, 1-2 hour interviews at your home or work
• Diary Studies, where you record your thoughts over 1-2 weeks
• Phone Interviews
• Online Focus Groups
• Online Surveys

American Consumer Opinion is another market research company where you can qualify for several surveys a year.

Annoyingly, they insist on using their own “virtual currency” point system. Still, you can earn up to $50 worth of points for longer market research surveys.

There’s a $10 minimum to cash out and you can deposit your earnings directly into PayPal. To give you an incentive to complete the low-paying screener surveys, American Consumer Opinion will add your name to a monthly $50 drawing .

On L&E Opinions , I found nationwide studies paying $125-250.  The company has been in business over 30 years and pays out millions of dollars in research incentives every year.

FocusGroups.org is an aggregator service that lists focus groups and paid research opportunities around the country. When I registered, I saw online focus group options that paid anywhere from $75 to $625!

Topics included pets, hygiene, cooking, luxury cars, and lots more. There are some handy filters you can use to select only online or “National” studies.

Another site that pulls in lots of different paid studies, FindFocusGroups.com was a great find. 

At press time, they had the best-looking interface of most of these sites, but hadn’t been updated in several months.

When I checked, the compensation for these ranged from $50 to $200.

Through “compensated interviews” and focus groups, SIS helps brands figure out direction for their products. You’ll have to register for their database to get notified about upcoming paid studies.

I found rates from $25-200, depending on the time required and complexity of the topic. SIS recruits participants from all around the world, not just the US.

Similar to FindFocusGroups above, SurveyFeeds isn’t a market research company itself, but instead a promising “feed” of paid survey opportunities.

I found their Facebook page updated more frequently than their website, so it might be worthwhile to check there and see what you might qualify for.

The online studies I saw ranged from $75 to $300 .

Recruit and Field is one of the longest-running national market research companies. Since 1977, they’ve built up a participant database of over 300,000 consumers, business leaders, and medical professionals.

The company works with lots of name-brand clients and typically pays $100-275 for in-person and online surveys.

I recently earned $250 for a 1-hour call about business banking!

FocusGroup.com offers nationwide paid research opportunities. (The site is powered by Sago, a leading market research company.)

Be on the lookout for the “National” studies that pay between $75 and $200 . These are scheduled over the phone or webcam so you can take the calls from anywhere at times that are convenient to you.

It took a while, but I eventually earned $115 for an online study related to a well-known Seattle-area company.

The next one I did was an hour-long online focus group on credit cards that paid $100.

Other studies I saw were  related to cars, technology, and banking.

I receive a few email notifications every month with studies. Those range from around $2 for 20-minute surveys, up to $150 for 90-minute in-person or online focus groups.

Check out my full FocusGroup.com review to learn more.

When I checked out Field Voices , I found a couple available studies to apply for. One was a neighborhood improvement interview that paid $150 for one hour, and the other was a group workshop on snacking habits that paid $300!

This firm works directly with companies as well, which means they’re not just pulling together lists of other research projects.

Consumers, medical professionals, and executives are in demand for Probe Market Research’s panels. Focus groups pay between $50 and $400, and you can often participate online or over the phone.

Major brands enlist Probe to conduct online surveys, mystery shopping gigs , mock juries, product trials, and more .

The popular and well-rated dscout app connects you with “engaging research missions.” Through those, you can get paid to share your feedback on a product or service.

Typical studies pay anywhere from $2 to $100 , paid out via PayPal. The biggest complaints from users are that the often in-depth screener surveys are unpaid.

Less of a market research firm and more of a consulting marketplace, GLG Insights aims to match you up with their clients looking for industry-specific expertise. Request to become a “Council Member” to get notified when relevant paid studies are available.

On GLG, you’ll be asked to connect your LinkedIn profile and upload a resume (or link to an online resume) to verify your career credentials. You can also name your own consulting rate — usually $100-150 and up .

After that, I answered a series of ethics questions based on GLG’s terms and conditions.

Since 2007, Zintro has been connecting researchers with industry experts. According to the site, the vast majority Zintro’s consulting and online focus groups pay between $150 and $300 per hour.

Popular industries include:

• Software and tech
• Banking and finance
• Healthcare and insurance
• E-commerce and retail
• Travel and hospitality
• and lots more

It’s free to set up your expert profile and start to get invited for calls.

WatchLab has an obnoxiously inadequate website, but they claim to facilitate all sorts of focus groups, usability tests, interviews, mock juries, and more.

The pay varies depending on the research, and may be in the form of gift cards or cash. I saw ranges from $100 to $175 for 1-2 hour focus groups. WatchLab has locations in San Francisco and Chicago, as well as online options.

For in-person focus groups, you get paid on the spot — online may take 4-6 weeks.

Mindswarms is a unique video consumer research platform. They’ll pay you $50 via PayPal to answer 10 questions about a product or service.

These studies normally take around 10 minutes and can be recorded via your webcam or smartphone, but competition to get selected can be fierce.

To create your account you’ll need to record a 60-second video about one of your passions. Or you can do this through the Mindswarms app on iOS or Android .

Earn $50-150 for online focus groups and studies. While the website doesn’t necessarily inspire confidence, 20|20 Panel has been around for over 30 years.

I found several online focus groups paying $50-200 on Focus Insite . The company popped up in my Instagram feed, a signal they’re actively recruiting new participants.

You can join their panel database as a medical, technical, or business professional, or just as a general consumer. Alternatively, you can apply directly to the available market research studies listed.

The companies listed above certainly aren’t the only research companies around, and for this side hustle, it makes sense to join as many firms as you’re comfortable with.

That way, you’re presented with all the opportunities available, not just the projects managed by one company.

Here are a few more to consider:

• Prolific  — When academic and research institutions need opinions from the general population, they turn to Prolific. The pay is a bit lower — often in the $8-15/hr range — but in my Prolific review , I found plenty of quick and easy surveys available, and you can cash out to PayPal.
• Ascendency Research — On average, studies pay $60-350. Many are local to the Twin Cities, MN, but they have some national studies, too.
• Elliott Benson — Conducting paid market research since 1995.
• PRC Market Research — You can browse upcoming projects (and their pay rate) before registering. Most studies pay $100-300/hour.
• NewtonX — Strictly for industry professionals to share their insight and get paid.
• Focus Forward — A unique aggregator of paid focus group and survey opportunities.
• UserTesting – Earn $10 for completing 20-minute online user tests of websites, apps, shopping portals, and more. This is pretty fun but you have to be fast because these tests get snatched up quickly.
• Pulse Labs – Earn up to $100 a week providing video feedback on products.
• Intellizoom – Get paid an average of $10 testing and reviewing websites.
• UserBrain – Receive new websites to test every week, and earn $5 for each 5-15 minute test.
• Google User Experience – Google pays gift cards for feedback on their products.
• Nelson Recruiting — Nationwide market research company established in 1980.
• Marketade – Specializes in remote usability testing, market validation, navigation research, and more.
• Engage Studies – Earn as much as $100 per focus group through this research company.
• Tell Us Your Opinion – Mainly operating in Tulsa but may have online/phone opportunities as well.
• Adler Weiner Research – In-person studies in Chicagoland and Southern California, plus remote studies nationwide.
• Advanced Focus – Hosts market research panels and focus groups in New York City.
• Nichols Research – Get paid to participate in in-person focus groups, primarily in Northern California.
• Herron Associates — In-person studies in Indianapolis, IN and Tampa, FL.
• PrizeRebel – Earn $10-12 an hour doing surveys or completing other tasks. (Just avoid the low-paying ones.)

As with any side hustle, there’s an opportunity cost. As in, what else could you be doing with your time?

I encourage you to check out our monster list of side hustle ideas , but here are a few that are similarly flexible.

Become a Bookkeeper

One of the first jobs that many companies hire out is “someone to keep the books.” If you have experience in this field, or just love numbers, becoming a remote bookkeeper could way to make extra money.

Most businesses don’t need a full-time bookkeeper so they’re open to hiring someone part-time. Most virtual bookkeepers charge $100-300 per client per month.

Network with business owners locally or online and let them know about your service. It might make sense to check out this  free training on how to start a remote bookkeeping business .

Alternative Investments

If you’re after passive income , you might consider adding some alternative investments .

For example,  Fundrise  allows you to invest in professionally-vetted commercial real estate. This spreads your risk around with properties in multiple geographical locations–and minimums as low as $10 .

Disclosure: I’ve been a Fundrise investor since 2015, and earn a commission when you join through my referral link. Opinions are my own.

Resell Furniture Returns

Reselling furniture returns is a unique low-risk side hustle .

How it works is you join Sharetown as a local “reverse logistics” rep. Sharetown partners with direct-to-consumer mattress and furniture brands to handle their return requests.

When customers decide they don’t want to keep the item, you’ll get dispatched to go pick it up. After that, you’ll:

• clean it up
• photograph it
• list it for resale on sites like Facebook Marketplace

The Sharetown reps I’ve connected with target $150-250 per flip — and, importantly — you don’t have to pay Sharetown for the inventory until the item sells.

Check out my full Sharetown review to learn more.

Sharetown reps make money by reselling gently-used furniture and bed-in-a-box mattresses. Top reps earn $4000+ per month.

• Low startup costs
• Great earning power
• No hunting for inventory
• Requires a truck or SUV
• Bulky items to store
• Not available in all areas

Mobile Notary Service

Becoming a mobile notary loan signing agent is one of the most popular gigs among the Side Hustle Nation community. The flexible, part-time side hustle involves walking new homeowners through their stack of mortgage documents.

Appointments typically take around an hour and pay $75-150.

One big drawback to focus groups or online surveys is you’re limited in how much you can earn. It’s a great side hustle, but it’ll never be a full-time income.

Focus groups or paid research studies won’t pay your mortgage, but one or two a month will definitely help build your side hustle snowball .

Have you had any success in landing paid focus group studies? What do you think of this little supplemental side hustle?

Let me know in the comments below!

• Start Your Free $500 Challenge . My free 5-day email course shows you how to add $500 to your bottom line.
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Is there such thing as an online focus group?

Yes! Several companies facilitate online consumer research focus groups, which is great because that means you can earn money from the comfort of your home or office. Check out our full list to learn more.

How much do focus groups pay?

The pay for focus groups depends on how long the session lasts. Most commonly, you’ll find rates average around $100 an hour.

Where can I find legit paid focus groups?

Companies like Respondent, Fieldwork, and FocusGroup.com are all legit facilitators of paid focus groups. Or, for the best results, you might try an aggregator service like FindFocusGroups.com, which pools together focus group opportunities from several sources. Be sure to check the list of providers on Side Hustle Nation as well.

How do online focus groups work?

Online focus groups work either via conference call or more commonly, through a group video chat to more closely mimic the in-person experience. A moderator will lead the group discussion and participants can chime in through their webcam and computer microphone or phone line.

********* Stock photo  by Akhenaton Images via Shutterstock

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About the Author

Nick Loper is a side hustle expert who loves helping people earn more money and start businesses they care about. He hosts the award-winning Side Hustle Show, where he's interviewed over 500 successful entrepreneurs, and is the bestselling author of Buy Buttons , The Side Hustle , and $1,000 100 Ways .

His work has been featured in The New York Times, Entrepreneur, Forbes, TIME, Newsweek, Business Insider, MSN, Yahoo Finance, The Los Angeles Times, The San Francisco Chronicle, The Financial Times, Bankrate, Hubspot, Ahrefs, Shopify, Investopedia, VICE, Vox, Mashable, ChooseFI, Bigger Pockets, The Penny Hoarder, GoBankingRates, and more.

58 thoughts on “Online Focus Groups: 27 Paid Research Companies that Pay Up to $250 an Hour for Your Opinion”

Nice job, Nick! I have only ever been able to score low paying “mystery shopper” gigs. I get a free meal and $15 or $20 for my trouble. It usually takes about an hour, so am making $15 – $20 per hour. I have repeatedly mystery shopped a “Roy Rogers” restaurant that is on the NYS thruway. Almost every time I have had to travel to or from my daughter’s college campus I have been able to get a free meal, $10 or $15, and a portion of my tolls paid. I wouldn’t make the effort except that I am already driving by and there is a good chance that I would need a bathroom break anyway. Everybody wins. :>) I will be checking on a couple of the sites you provided to see if there is anything I qualify for.

Thanks Kevin. I’ve been half-heartedly attempting to find a mystery shopping expert to school me on how it really works :)

Hi Nick – If you are still reading these comments, I hope you will remove User Interviews from your list. After reading your article, I applied with them and was excited at first, but they have a serious flaw. They do not screen what the companies post for the surveys. First you have to take a questionnaire to see if you will be selected for the survey. Time after time you spend time answering the flawed questionnaire, and then not being selected, probably because of being forced to complete an answer that is not correct. Here’s an example that I just sent to Tabitha at User Interviews:

“I was applying for the Medical Injectibles survey, and the first several questions went well. Then there was the question “Do you care for a child with Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis?” with the options of yes or no. I checked no, and I cannot imagine there are vast numbers of people who would have been able to check yes.

The next question was required, and it asked for the age of the person I care for, and had a box, also required, asking for the required medications.

Why was I prompted with that question when I had answered no?”

So that was yet another questionnaire that was flawed that completely wasted my time because I could not proceed. I have asked them to remove me from all further communication as I want nothing to do with them anymore, and I honestly don’t think you should be recommending them.

Hmm sorry for the trouble, Balinda. I agree, their conditional logic on the screener surveys could be better — or they could just advance to a “thanks but you’re not a fit” page. When those types of funky follow-up questions happen for me, I just back out and go back to the list since it’s clear I’m not going to qualify.

Nick, this list is AWESOME! I’ve been using User Interviews for about a month and a half and it seems like I hardly ever get selected for any of the surveys. In fact, I’ve only been selected for 1 so far (which literally took 10 minutes and I got a $30 Amazon gift card) and the second one I got approved for, by the time I got around to actually confirming my spot that evening, it was already fully booked up! I’m wondering with all the different options available if it would be feasible to make some decent side money – assuming the time commitment doesn’t get overwhelming. I’m gonna dig into this a little I think and see what I can come up with.

Hey Kyle, I hope you found some good “side jobs.” You mentioned that you used user interviews and only got 1 job. I’m so surprised by that. I have been using them for a few months and I have made a good bit of money. I had a 20 minute telephone survey and was paid $150! I had another that was in person. They came to my apt (they originally said to see my wardrobe in closet, but never did) they interviewed me on camera for about 10-15 minutes and then we went to a clothing store! They asked me if I liked the store, clothes, etc. In all I was with them about an hour. I got $350! I could have made another $100 for doing “homework,” but I was too busy. That’s just 2 of jobs I had from them. Anyway, I just wanted you to know, bcuz you should keep trying with them. I plan on hitting all these new ones, thanks to Nick! Good Luck!

It’s funny you bring this topic up. I LITERALLY started signing up for focus groups last Monday (going on two weeks) and I’ve already made $650. Most have came from respondent. I also signed up for the Reddit r/paidstudy group as well as the cool work ideas.com FB which posts multiple studies a day. I’m loving it so far!

Hi Nick, I’ve been using ACOP for a few years now it does take a long time to gather up money. I usually wait till I get up around $50 or so to cash in. The problem I find is it takes two to three months for it to show up in my Pay Pal account, very slow turn around.

Nick, I’ve been doing these for several years. I probably average about $1,000 per year doing these. This a great comprehensive list!

I tried Mindswarms. I had no trouble creating a profile video (though it really does not flatter me, nor had I trouble applying for studies. However, I have been on there for over a month, and I have been rejected for every. Single. Study. Besides that, they do not ever bother telling me, or giving me helpful suggestions. Their FAQ section is so useless as to be counterproductive. And I suspect that my mind and my interests are not average enough to make Mindswarms (or online studies/surveys in general) worth my while.

Here is a good rule of thumb: if you prefer the musical works of Vasily Kalinnikov (or just know who Vasily Kalinnikov was) over “Lady” Gaga, do not bother with surveys. Only the most average individuals with the most average minds can succeed with this rubbish. Or so my experiences would indicate.

Actually, the opposite is true. just regular surveys do kind of suck. However, the focus groups and interviews and so forth, all the ones that I’ve actually gotten into have been because I’m weird or different. That’s why so many people get declined. They look for people who don’t conform, mostly because they’re looking for new and innovative ideas. Why would you research the monotonous and mundane?

Thanks so much for the information. I signed up on Respondent today and have a 71% match on 1 survey. We’ll see how it goes.

I just tried to sign up with Respondent, and probably I’m the only one in the world with this problem of not having any social media sites. They want to verify your work on LinkedIn or your FB profile. I don’t have a FB account nor do I have a LinkedIn account. I know, I must be living in a cave, but the work I do does not allow me to use social media. What to do? I guess Respondent is out. Bummer.

This is pretty much the same for me too, Shari. Even if I had an account on social media I would only have my family and close friends on it. I wouldn’t want to give some site access. I also ran into one (can’t remember the name) where they wanted you to upload a video of yourself in order to get the surveys. I am also not comfortable with that. I’ve signed up with all that was listed above. We’ll see how it goes. Good luck to you!

Since I haven’t seen it noted in the comments or main blog anywhere I just wanted to put it out there that technically if you make over $600 with any single company like this they are supposed to issue a 1099 for your payouts. Normally if you accumulate that much over a year they may not bother BUT I was lucky enough to get into a study that paid $875 which immediately put me over that threshold. So then they issued a 1099 for all my earnings from them in that year. That hurt at tax time. This year I’m going to spread it out over as many companies as I can to hopefull get a lot but no single one over $600. And if you are lucky enough to get into a single high paying study, keep the tax implication in mind.

Very nice blog post. Thanks for sharing. On respondent I made $30 today. Not bad!

Thanks Nick, this list is AWESOME! I’ve been doing surveys and focus groups for about a year. I’ve had some great paying, easy jobs. I’ve also spent, what felt like like forever, time trying to qualify for them to no avail. However, from my experience, I can definitely say not to give up! Surveys are time consuming with little pay, for the most part. Focus groups, interviews, etc., is where the money is! I have been looking for more sites and you just gave me a bunch! I am gonna try them all! Keep the info coming! Thanks again!

I’m wondering if the earning need to be claimed on our taxes? Is there a record that we are being paid? Do these companies ask for any personal information? Thanks

Try Jackson/Adept in Los Angeles. They have a Beverly Hills and Encino location.

Here are Metro Detroit Focus Groups and my reviews of them

Morpace Inc. 31700 Middlebelt Road Suite 200 Farmington Hills, MI 48334 Phone: (248) 737-5300 http://www.morpace.com Pays $80-$250 Focus Group Surveys (In Person). If they over fill the group which happened to me on one occassion then you get paid instantly without doing the survey. They pay by check or cash after the 1-2 hour in person survey. They offer surveys 1-2 times a year.

Shifrin Hayworth 26400 Lahser Rd #430, Southfield, MI 48033 Phone: (248) 223-0020 https://www.shifrin-hayworth.com/ Pays $50-$300 Focus Group Surveys (In Person). They pay by check or cash in person after the 1-2 hour survey. They offer surveys about 1-2 times a year.

I recently learned that you can only participate in 1 survey every 6 months which is why after being asked if you’ve done one recently you get disqualified.

I just did a study for them last week. They promised a $200 virtual gift card within 48 hours but it’s been a week and still nothing. They’ve stopped answering my emails and I can’t find a phone number for them, which seems pretty shady.

Did they ever get back to you/pay you?

So I have had really good luck with a lot of these companies you listed. I am a stay at home mom have been looking into all this and actively participating for about 6 weeks and made over 3000 dollars I have made 630 dollars on users interviews, 585 on respondents, 310 on user testing, 270 on validately usability studies , 250 on 20/20 panel, about 140 on intellizoom/ what users do Usability studies, 90 dollars on TrymyUI, and 50 on ping pong research. I have also made 375 dolars from focus point global. plus more companies that i got under 20 each from so there is money to be made here if you invest the time. I have done one on one studies with a web cam, phone interviews, product testing (shampoos, and even new cereal), online diary studies (usually about things you eat), and lots of usability studies. the key is knowing how to answer the screener questions. Thank you so much for your list I am going to check out the companies I have not uses yet

Whoa that’s awesome Casondra – thanks for sharing!

Hi Nick-I just found this post and thank you for “heads up”… I’m writing to share with you two top performers here in Seattle for in-person focus groups. In-Sight Space and Fieldwork / Seattle.

I’ve been fortunate enough to have had a few gigs with each of these company’s who conduct only focus groups. Most of the time the pay is cash on the spot and the groups range from 45 minutes to 2 hours. These two company’s have frequent remarkably high-paying gigs. It’s fairly common to attend a 90 minute focus group that pays anywhere from 150.00 – 350.00. On occasion I’ve landed one of their mock jury groups, sometimes held at one of Seattle’s finest hotels and lasts close to 8 hours. These mock jury groups have paid me between 300.00 to 550.00 for the gig and always provide a catered breakfast and lunch. Again, thanks for sharing your information and I hope you’re able to use my information and experience to help others.

Sincerely, Jason B.

Nice, Jason — thanks for sharing!

I’m registered with two companies for focus group and mock jury participation. I’ve done both and found them enjoyable and worthwhile. Usually payment was cash. One time it was a VISA gift card. The mock juries required more hours than the focus groups. One was Friday evening, all day Saturday, and Saturday evening. My experience has been food and beverages were provided when the event was more than 3 hours.

Participants were usually limited to one event in 6 months.

I’ve seen a large dropoff in opportunities since I reached a certain age. Sigh.

Very occasionally the local newspaper has a classified ad for focus group participants.

I need the mock jury site

Ok…I see several people are interested in Mystery Shopping so I thought I’d share a little info. I have done a lot of mystery shopping in the past and love it. Not amazing money but interesting and I enjoyed it. So…here are a few sites to start with…I hope this is OK…I see a few people said they would send information, but a lot of others requested info and I don’t know if they got what they needed. I hope this helps. So…first… this is the official website of the Mystery Shopping Professionals Association…it has a ton of good info and resources https://www.mspa-global.org/index.html Work available always depends on the type of job you are interested in and where you are located so the best companies to work with will vary for different people. Here are some other resources that may help… https://www.mysteryshopperjobfinder.com/members/resources/mspa-interview/ https://www.mysteryshopforum.com/ https://www.mysteryshoppermagazine.com/?source=forum-top-discussions and last but not least… https://www.shadowshopper.com Shadow Shopper…the first thing that pops up when you google Shadow Shopper will be scam alerts. I’m here to tell you it is not a scam. I have used them for years off and on. They do have a fee option, and to get anywhere, you probably will want to use it at least for a short time. But a lot of job boards charge a small fee. Basically it is where companies post work that they need to get done and shoppers go to find work. It’s a great way to see what is available in your area and skill set and interest and sign up with those companies offering that work. You can go out on your own and start just looking into shopping sites, but that sign up processing can be lengthy and if you pick one that doesn’t offer work in your area or jobs you want, you have wasted time and effort. Once you sign up with a few companies that you’ve found on Shadow Shopper, move on until you want to look for more. No need to keep your subscription if you have the work your want. Just my suggestion, but it has landed me several really good opportunities. One lasted years and was around made me around $2000/yr. Oh…and if you are wanting a list of companies…go here… it’s a tedious process to choose, but it’s an option… https://www.mysteryshopforum.com/companies/ Good luck and enjoy :)

Thank you Anna!

I’ve used Focus Pointe Global and Schlesinger in the Boston area for years. I’ve made really good money with them ($75-200 per session). People seem to over-estimate how difficult this all is. Sign up in the database, fill out a survey if you get an e-mail, if you pre-qualify for a study they call you to screen you again, you either qualify or you don’t on that phone call. If you’re picked, you go to their office and sit with the other people picked and just give your opinion for about 90 minutes. The hardest part for me is fighting traffic to get to the office in the city. These focus groups have been a lifesaver for me in periods of unemployment.

Will you get called every week about a survey? No, you definitely won’t, maybe not every month either. But if you sign up with 5-10 companies your chances of getting picked go up. And I agree that sites like Swagbucks are more or less a waste of time. It’s very small money.

Everyone is asking: How do I join? You have to go to the companies website and sign up for the panel (“Join the Panel”) and then wait. Also, the bigger companies post surveys on their Facebook pages so sign up for their notifications.

I do the best with Respondent, User Interviews and UTest.com. Also check out Affectiva’s job listings if you’re in the Boston area. I’ve made a lot helping to test out their automotive AI.

I have been doing focus groups online for prob 3 years or so. I have done a lot of them with watchlab and user interviews. Also accelerant research is a good one. Field work is another I’ve done them with. I’m sure there is more that I’ve used but i gotta tell u that these have been a life saver for me at times. I most recently did one that paid $400 which is the most I’ve made. I am signed up and in the databases of all that u listed plus a few others like accelerant research. Oh yeah another great place is Elliot Benson research.

Thanks for sharing Shelley!

you might try Mturk if you money to pay…

Great job on this article! I’ve been doing focus groups for many years. Probably made about $2,000 or so altogether.

I’d also recommend instapanel. I’ve been using them for several years to complete video surveys. They pay $20 for about 5-10 minutes of work. Here’s a link: https://instapanel.com/ .

I work for one of the market research companies that hire these focus group facilities/recruiters to get us the research we need. For in person focus groups (in facility) you can expect to get paid around $100 per hour, and more expensive if you’re in a specialty group (certain ailments, professionals such as tech). For online focus groups they run around $75 per hour.

If you want to know the panels to join around your area to join focus groups, I’d recommend going on Green Book (for research) and search on recruiters or facility around your neighborhood. This is where researchers go to find panels to do research with and you’ll get more opportunities with the facilities/recruiters there.

I don’t recommend online surveys bc you might terminate out of many surveys before you complete one and they won’t pay you more than $5 for one, and that’s on the rare end. Hope this helps!

Appreciate the insight — thanks Michelle!

I love love love all the great information I just obtained by reading your blog. OMG ! If anyone has any leads for Indiana specifically please let me know. I know of Herron Associates does a lot of research focus groups. Just go to their website and sign up. Ive done a few for them in the past and made anywhere from $50-150 for about an hour or so in person focus group. I think those are great and very interesting. If anyone wants to contact me to give me some tips on the mystery shopping I’d greatly appreciate it. TIA ( Thanks in Advance) Carrie

Thanks a bunch for the informative post! I signed up for several of the ones you have on this list and already got selected for a study. Just curious – most of the prescreen questions ask if you’ve recently participated in a study. If you have (I’ll fall into this bucket once I complete the study I just got picked for), does that greatly reduce your chances of being selected for another one?

Hi, are any of these open to people under 18?

All clinical trials are for ages 18-99.

Amalia, I apologize. I read your question to quickly & transposed the numbers. I thought you said 81.I’m rarely asked to prove my age, but they may have some way of checking. Product reviews are open to 16+, I believe. I’ve never had to show my ID online, only when I do things in person. Obviously medical care you’d show your ID.

Withpower.com is a great website to checkout medical trials. There are all sorts & bonus if you need medical care & don’t have the money to pay for it. Some just monitor or interview you…all the way up to getting medicated treatment for your condition. I even saw dental work on there.

Every clinical research compensated me for my time & travel. It’s always paid out very well for me & it’s definitely worth the time. I got $365 for downloading an app on my phone that I recorded how long I slept the night before.They sent a little survey with 4 questions every day to the app & I told them what time I went to bed, did I wake up during the night, how long did it take me to get back to sleep, and what time I woke up. I got paid in intervals at week 2, 6, 10, & 14. Super easy money.

I’m on #4 of this list now. User interviews has been fair to me. I’ve seen product reviews, online, and focus groups on there. If they let you know that you are qualified, act quickly!

Clinical research & focus groups are my favorite. I used to like doing product reviews & I still do. But once you really start getting into it, the rewards get better & better. Thank you so much, Nick. Yes, I referred you when signing up. You deserve it.

Hi Nick, this is a great job.

Many of these websites do not authorize participants from Nigeria and Africa. They have country-based restrictions. It sucks.

I have a master’s degree in business administration. I have a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering. I have a postgraduate diploma in economics, a postgraduate diploma in education and a professional diploma in early childhood education. I have a CEFR Level C1 in IELTS exam. I have done some surveys in my country, Nigeria and I performed well.

What survey sites do you recommend that do not have country-based restrictions? I am really curious Nick.

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17 Best Places to Find Paid Research Studies (High Paying)

Last updated May 9, 2024 By Dylan Houlihan 0

Note: We may earn a commission from affiliate links on this page. These do not affect our ratings or recommendations.

Looking to level up your survey earnings and step into the world of paid research studies?

If so, you came to the right place.

Surveys are great to start out with, but doing 1-on-1 interviews and focus groups can be much more fulfilling and a higher paying, so it's worth trying out.

Below, you'll find some of the best platforms (sites and apps) to find paid research studies online and near you.

Featured Paid Study Platforms

Featured platforms are are selected based on financial incentives like affiliate partnerships and sponsorships. They help keep Swift Salary free. Thanks for your support!

User Interviews

User Interviews is a crowdsourcing platform that connects researchers with paid study participants. Founded in 2015, the platform supports a variety of study formats (in-person, online, etc.) and types (focus groups, 1-on-1, etc.), and has been used by companies like Adobe, Spotify, Amazon, and more.

Opinion Outpost

Opinion Outpost is a survey platform that rewards users for sharing their opinions. Founded in 2005, the platform is quite well-known in the survey space and is home to thousands of survey takers earning extra cash every month.

Product Report Card

Product Report Card is a rewards platform that pays members to take surveys and participate in free product tests. Founded in 2012, they claim to offer more high-paying surveys and product test opportunities than any other platform.

What Are Paid Research Studies?

The criteria a site or app has to meet to make it onto this roundup is that it must either have:

• Paid research interviews (1-on-1 interviews where you get paid to talk with a researcher face to face or over the phone)
• Paid focus groups (group interviews where you get paid to talk to researchers as part of a group)

These types of research participation opportunities typically pay a lot more than regular online surveys, questionnaires, and polls, so it makes sense to give them their own breakdown.

That said, they're not all perfect…

Pros and Cons of Participating in Research Studies

• They pay well. I've done research, participated in these, and talked to others who've participated in them, and the hourly rates you can earn from paid research studies is quite high. You're typically looking at $50-$200+ per hour for your participation.
• Fewer disqualifications. To qualify for a paid research study, you'll typically need to answer some screener questions, but these are usually short and won't take more than 5 or so minutes. From there, once you're qualified, you're in. Unless the study is cancelled (which can happen), you're almost guaranteed to make some money once you set up your interview date. No more annoying survey disqualifications 30 minutes into a questionnaire.
• Chance to make a real difference. When answering online surveys, it's hard to tell if your contributions are really making a difference. With research interviews and focus groups, you'll feel a lot more involved and your opinions feel more valued. You'll most likely meet some interesting people and learn new things along the way as well.
• The earnings aren't consistent. This is the big downside with paid research studies. While they pay really well, you most likely aren't going to be able to make a full-time income out of them. Researchers are looking for very specific people the majority of the time, so you'll have to be patient.
• You've got to be comfortable in-person, on camera, or on the phone. Some research studies take place via webcam, others take place in person, and some are done over the phone. If you're not comfortable with any of those, these types of studies aren't going to be for you.
• You'll need a proper schedule. Answering surveys from your phone can be done almost any time and anywhere. But, with research studies, you'll typically need to book in a specific time slot for your interview. Many studies are at least thirty minutes to an hour long.

Top Sites and Apps for Finding Paid Research Studies Online and Near You

Learn how to make an extra $500+ a month with this FREE beginner's guide. Includes 7 main money-making strategies ranging from easy to advanced + dozens of mini-opportunities in-between.

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Prolific is a crowdsourcing platform that connects researchers with paid study participants. Supported study formats include surveys, video interviews, diary studies, and more. Founded in 2014, the platform claims to be home to over 120k participants and 30k researchers.

Chicago Booth CDR

Chicago Booth CDR (Center for Decision Research) is a crowdsourcing platform for behavioral science studies and research. Here, participants from around the world can get paid to take part in studies that help researchers better understand human interaction, thinking, feelings, and more. The CDR has been conducting this type of research since 1977.

Respondent is a crowdsourcing platform that connects researchers with high-quality study participants from around the globe. The participants -- who earn money for taking part in studies -- are fully vetted and include industry professionals and general consumers.

FocusGroup.com

FocusGroup.com is a rewards platform where members can get paid to participate in online surveys, research interviews, focus groups, and more. Founded in 2002, the platform claims to have paid out over $65M in a single year.

dscout is both a crowdsourcing marketplace and a rewards platform. Researchers can use it to conduct studies while Scouts can join and make money sharing their insights and experiences. The types of research conducted on dscout can include diary studies, photo/video responses, usability tests, and much more.

Testable Minds

Testable Minds is a crowdsourcing platform that connects participants with researchers conducting psychological and behavioral experiments and scientific studies. Founded in 2015, the platform claims to have 12k+ researchers and 85k+ participants.

Tryber is a crowdtesting platform where testers can earn money for finding bugs, usability issues, and other problems in websites, applications, physical products, and more. The platform is owned and operated by Unguess (formerly AppQuality), a crowdsourcing platform that was founded in 2015.

UserTesting

UsertTesting.com is a crowdtesting platform focused on usability testing. Companies can use the platform to get feedback on their websites, apps, prototypes, and more, while contributors (aka testers) can use it to make money by participating in usability tests. Founded in 2007, the platform has grown to become one of the largest and most well-known in the crowdtesting space.

Crowdtap is a rewards platform where members can earn points for answering surveys and sharing their opinions. Surveys can range from one question long to full-on interviews.

Userlytics is a crowdtesting platform that connects organizations with UX testers who get paid to provide feedback on websites and apps. Founded in 2009, the platform claims to have over 2M testers, around 50 new studies uploaded every day, and worked with companies like Riot Games, Microsoft, eBay, Verizon, Coca-Cola, and more.

PlaytestCloud

PlaytestCloud is a crowdtesting platform that connects mobile game developers with paid freelance playtesters from around the globe. Founded in 2014, the platform claims to have over 1M playtesters who get paid for providing feedback on a variety of mobile games from developers like Zynga, Ubisoft, Gameloft, and many more.

Survey Junkie

Survey Junkie is a rewards platform and market research community that pays members for completing surveys and contributing their opinions, insights, and data. Founded in 2013, the platform is owned and operated by DISQO, an award-winning insights platform based in the U.S.

iPoll is a rewards platform that pays members for sharing their opinions, testing products, completing real-world missions, and more. Founded in 2012, the platform was previously known as Surveyhead and is currently owned and operated by Dyanata.

American Consumer Opinion

American Consumer Opinion (ACOP) is an international rewards platform that pays people from all around the world to share their opinions on a variety of products and services. They offer paid surveys as well as occasional product testing and mystery shopping opportunities. Founded in 1986 as a small U.S. mail survey panel, the platform has since grown into an online community of over 7 million members worldwide.

Find More Paid Research Participation Opportunities

Check out our free Platform Discovery Tool . With it, you can find and filter through dozens of money-making platforms to fine-tune the results to your liking.

Free Platform Discovery Tool

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35 Paid Online Research Studies Seeking Participants

How can one participate in paid online research studies and get paid for your brain, your health, and your opinions?

• Inbox Dollars - Get paid to check your email. $5 bonus just for signing up!
• Survey Junkie - The #1 survey site that doesn't suck. Short surveys, high payouts, simply the best.
• Nielsen - Download their app and get paid $50!

Well, you’re in the right place.

Today, let’s look at 35 different opportunities to get paid as a participant in research studies.

Types of Paid Online Research Studies

A medical study involves a group of people within an age group, gender, race, ethnic group, or individuals with the same specific health issues.

Participating in these studies often involves answering a combination of interviews, tests, surveys, or experimentation to be able to answer questions on how to diagnose, treat, prevent, or cure health disorders and diseases.

Aside from paid medical studies, market research makes use of paid online research to find out what customers want or need from various products and companies.

The cool thing about paid online research studies available today is that even if you are not a part of the target audience, you can still participate in the study in another capacity.

Online research studies can be either quantitative or qualitative.

Quantitative studies are the ones with static, pre-planned answers. A questionnaire with multiple-choice answers is a good example of this study. It is made as such so that the researcher can easily analyze the results.

Qualitative studies are a bit more complex since they involve open-ended answers.

However, this type of study ends up with better data. Focus groups and interviews are both methods used in qualitative studies.

How Much Can You Earn from Paid Research Studies?

Imagine earning up to $1,000 just for sharing your opinion, review of a product, or thoughts about a particular experience without even stepping out of the house.

You don’t even have to spend a cent to participate in these research studies.

Most of the time, you’d only have to be at least 18 years old and currently live in the US.

Even when you’re below 18 years old, researchers sometimes allow you to participate as long as you had a waiver from your parent or legal guardian.

The amount you earn from joining research studies depend on the following:

• Method of research — Did you join a focus group? Answered a lengthy interview? Filled out a survey form?
• Length of study — Some interviews only take an hour and earn you $150. Some focus groups could take several sessions and end only after several weeks.
• Type of payment — Not all companies pay cash. Some use PayPal, while others prefer checks, gift cards, prepaid cards, and so on.

Quick surveys can be as little as $10 and high as $100.

Focus group sessions range between $50 and $500 per session.

Interviews can earn you somewhere from $50 to $400 for an hour of your time.

Simply put, the amount you’ll be paid will vary from study to study.

Join These to Start Making Money Today!

Before digging into the list below, I suggest you sign up for the 3 best focus group/market research companies.

Anyone can participate and you will be invited to take part in research studies, focus groups, and product testing opportunities.

These companies pay in cash and offer cash signup bonuses to get you started.

• SurveyJunkie - Get paid CASH to share your thoughts on some of the world's biggest brands.
• Branded Surveys - Work directly with companies like Nike, Samsung, Amazon, and Disney to improve their product lines.

On to the list!

35 Ways to Get Paid for Research Studies Online

The following universities have year-long research studies in a wide range of topics.

1. Northwestern University Department of Psychology

Earn from $10 to $40 an hour if you participate in one of the school’s online studies.

The studies change regularly and vary widely from topics such as phone usage, changes in thoughts and feelings, Artificial Intelligence,  sleeping patterns, psychosis, aging, and even products like hearing aids.

2. Harvard University Psychology Study Pool

Join Harvard’s Psychology Study Pool and earn from $10 to $25 an hour, paid via gift cards.

The online studies are available year-round for both Harvard students and guests.

3. Carnegie Mellon University

If you’re at least 18 years old, can read and speak English, and have never joined any research studies at the Center for Behavioral and Decision Research at Carnegie Mellon, you can sign up for their paid online research studies.

Topics range from personal beliefs, attitudes, decision-making, human judgment, interpersonal perceptions, and group performance, among others.

You’ll earn $8 an hour, paid in gift cards. Each study takes anywhere from 5 and 20 minutes.

Paid participants are needed for in-person studies in labs on campus, but may sometimes be able to participate online on a home computer.

Note that only students are accepted (ID will be requested).

4. Center for Decision Sciences Columbia Business School

For participating in an online survey or study, you can earn $16 an hour, as long as you’re 18+ years old and have a PayPal or Amazon.com account to receive payments.

No need to be a student at Columbia Business School, but you need to register in the CDS Virtual Lab Online Panel.

5. MIT Behavioral Research Lab

There are in-person and paid online research studies available at MIT.

Payment amounts vary from study to study, but participants usually earn $11 to $20 per hour for online studies.

Anyone aged 18 or older, residing in the United States, and proficient in spoken and written English can join the BRL participant pool.

Membership is open to all; you don’t need any association with MIT to participate. Other requirements may be needed for studies requiring specific respondents.

6. University of Maryland Robert H. Smith School of Business

As long as you’re a current Smith student (and eligible for certain studies), you can get paid for research studies online here.

Make sure you create an account, sign up for the studies that you want to participate in, and get paid once you fulfill your role.

7. Purdue University

You can find a lot of paid online studies here.

Currently, they have studies on Parkinson’s disease (and other neurodegenerative diseases), flavored water, biosensors, mushroom nutrition, linguistics, cancer, and so on.

Participants are paid somewhere between $10 and $500.

What’s great about Purdue University is that the studies are varied and open to the public.

8. Stanford Graduate School of Business

You’ll be paid up to $25 an hour for online research studies, but you’d have to be eligible and complete a prescreen form.

You also can’t participate in the same study more than once.

9. UCLA Anderson School of Management

The behavioral lab has some paid online studies, if you’re interested in topics like consumer behavior, organizational behavior, judgment, and other similar topics.

Most studies here pay from $10 to $20 an hour.

They also have in-lab and in-person studies.

10. Boston University Behavioral Lab

If you’re interested in human behavior and is willing to participate in online studies, try to join if you’re eligible.

These studies pay between $10 and $20 an hour.

The studies from Boston University’s Behavioral Lab is open to both BU students and the general public.

11. University of Maryland Department of Psychology

You need to create an account at the SONA System website to see available research studies.

Each of the studies have different eligibilities and payment.

12. University of Nebraska-Lincoln

This college holds a wide range of research studies revolving MRI research, human brain, behavior, and so on.

There are studies exclusively for seniors, and those that are for teens.

There are two ways to volunteer for these studies:

• Join the CB3 Research Participant Volunteer Registry (and wait for them to e-mail you)
• Pick the study and contact researchers directly.

Pay can go as high as $80 per study.

13. American University Psychology Department

Topics vary widely, but they are related to psychology and human behavior.

You can earn up to $20 an hour for just filling out a form as a smoker’s first-hand experience during stressful situations.

14. Respondent.IO

This next one isn’t a university, but it’s a comprehensive resource if you plan to participate in numerous market research and other online studies.

Pay ranges from $25 to $200.

Eligibility requirements vary between studies.

Make sure to check details and never pay to join a focus group or study.

15. Brand Institute

Want to be at the forefront of the pharmaceutical industry?

Join consumer market research panel groups by signing up with Brand Institute.

16. mindswarms

It’s sort of like an interview since you are required to answer ten questions with a video.

In exchange for your thoughts, you’ll be paid $50.

Earn somewhere between $50 and $250 by participating in healthcare or consumer market research studies.

18. Probe Market Research

The company pays people for online, phone or group interviews about their clients’ products, services, ads, or other campaigns.

Payment goes as high as $400.

19. Penn State University

(Quick shoutout to my Alma Mater… We Are!)

… and they are seeking just about anyone who’s alive to participate in a research study. With over 200 current open studies, odds are, you’ll qualify for something they have available.

Keep an eye out for “Total Compensation” to see just what the study pays.

20. User Interviews

Get paid for your feedback on real projects.

Create an account by filling up a form and wait for project invitations if you’re eligible.

There are online and in-phone interviews available.

21. Yale School of Management

If you live anywhere near Yale campus, be sure to sign up for their newsletter as they frequently put out requests for both in person and paid online research studies.

You will be paid, in cash, at the completion of your study.

They also have a Facebook group that announces when new studies are available to participate in.

22. Georgetown University Department of Psychology

Georgetown’s Department of Psychology is regularly looking for both students and non-students alike to participate in studies.

Average pay will run you about $10 per hour, so it can be some nice change to pick up in your spare time.

Their research includes personality, memory, and impulse control tests to name a few.

23. UCLA Semel Institute

UCLA offers both in-person and online research studies to check out.

They have a massive list of open opportunities for you to click through. The highest paying ones often need you to come into their offices for scans and interviews, but there are a lot of remote positions available too.

24. PingPong

Web designers and developers working on websites and applications value the input of real-life users and are willing to pay for these users’ opinions and insights

You can get paid anywhere from €15 to €40 per hour and even up to €100 for special projects.

Payment is credited through Transferwise or PayPal.

25. American Consumer Opinion

Yet another survey site, American Consumer Opinion (ACOP) pays you for your answers to their survey questions.

You can even get paid up to $100 if you fit a certain demographic and able to participate in special projects.

Research studies on this site may not be constantly available, though. It’s best to check back frequently.

26. Recruit and Field

Recruit and Field is a market research company that hosts paid online research studies all around the US and even in international locations.

They look for participants from any gender and age for their studies, including professionals and medical professionals (doctor, nurse, lab technician).

They normally pay via PayPal but also offer Amazon or digital gift cards.

The pay ranges from $100 to $275 for phone interviews, online surveys, and sometimes in-home product testing.

27. Focus Group

Focus Group is an aptly named online community comprised of participants interested in sharing opinions and views on popular products and brands through in-person, telephone, or online surveys.

The pay ranges from $75 to $200, and specialized health studies may pay more.

28. 20|20 Panel

Since 1986, 20|20 Panel has been recruiting participants to share their opinion on various companies.

They specialize in qualitative market research, which is achieved via in-person or online roundtable discussions. You can get paid from $50 to $350 to participate in these discussions.

They also send out quick surveys for which you can get paid smaller amounts (from $1 to $10).

29. FindFocusGroups

Wouldn’t it be great if there were a directory of all the paid research opportunities in the country?

FindFocusGroups is probably the closest one, as it lists more than 75,000 verified and legitimate focus groups in the country.

It’s quite simple to search by city and state, and check the information for details on whether the discussions are online or in-person.

It’s difficult to know how much the average payment would be, but upon browsing the first few studies on the homepage, they range from $50 to $300.

30. SIS International

SIS International conducts focus group discussions in cities all over the US and globally and collects consumer feedback on anything from appliances, skincare products, gadgets, and just about anything.

Rates range from $25 to $200 for 2 to 3 hours of your time.

31.  Apex Focus Group

Apex Focus Group connects regular people like you and me with researchers, who will pay for participants to join clinical research trials, phone interviews and focus groups.

As a participant at any Apex Focus Group study, you can be paid up to $750 a week.

Online and in-person studies are available.

32.  Fieldwork

If you live near New Jersey, New York City, Phoenix, San Francisco, Seattle, Boston, Chicago, Denver, Los Angeles, or Minneapolis, you can participate in current Fieldwork research studies.

Most of the paid focus groups are face-to-face (but online are sometimes available).

Each study lasts about 1 or 2 hours. Participants earn between $75 and $100 for their time.

33. Rare Patient Voice

This company mostly looks for participants who have rare diseases and medical conditions. As such, only eligible people can benefit from the studies.

However, anyone who qualifies will receive $120/hour.

You can share your views via online surveys, clinical trials, or web-assisted phone interviews.

34. ClinicalTrials.gov

The federal government continually seeks individuals willing to participate in clinical trials testing different medications and treatments.

Studies are often conducted by the National Institutes of Health.

You can check out a list of ongoing clinical trials at clinicaltrials.gov.

Unlike other paid online research studies on this list, DScout is an app you can download.

You need to register to become a “scout” and participate in research “missions,” which will earn you money after completion.

DScout studies are usually 1-on-1 interviews or video responses, so you’d have to be comfortable in front of the camera.

Missions pay from $50 to $100, each lasting about 30 minutes.

Can I turn these Paid Online Research Studies into a Full-Time Job?

While paid online studies are highly interesting and offer legitimate side cash, this gig cannot replicate the steady income and benefits you can get with a full-time job.

You’d have to consider that many research studies:

• have eligibility requirements (which means you’re not guaranteed a slot every time)
• cannot be joined twice (once you’ve participated in a specific study, you can’t do a repeat)
• have varying payments (there’s no stability in such income)

I do think it’s a legitimate side gig if you’re in between jobs or have a lot of free time on your hands.

You can also get paid answering surveys , joining focus groups , or testing products .

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The 15 Best Sites for Paid Research Studies

Jenni Sisson, Contributor

• Updated May 24, 2024

Paid research studies are somewhat similar to survey sites , but these studies go a lot more in-depth. The marketing company may ask you to keep a diary of your activities for a week or longer, or they may conduct multiple hour-long phone interviews. They’ll also screen your demographic info much more carefully than if you were conducting simple product tests . 

As such, the payout for research studies is much more than for surveys, with between $50 and $100 per hour being common. Read on to find out more about paid research studies, and which ones are worth your time.

Table of Contents

Key Facts About Paid Research Studies

These studies vary in form and topic and sometimes go by different names, like clinical trials, focus groups, shopalongs, user surveys, paid research opportunities and more. In each case, a company or organization hires a market research firm to answer a question. It could be anything from “Which baby food logo do moms prefer?” to “How many Hispanic citizens in Cincinnati have a favorable view of candidate John Doe?” 

The topic of the research determines what kind of study subjects the project requires, so researchers have to gather respondents of specific demographics. If you sign up for the research company’s database and you fit the profile, they will email or call you to participate in the study. In some cases, you can browse research opportunities and apply to the ones you’re most interested in.

Studies can take various forms: an emailed survey, a phone interview, a video chat, an in-person group panel, keeping a diary of certain activities and more. Your honest responses help companies make marketing and product decisions. 

Here are a few things to keep in mind as you pursue this side hustle:

• You won’t qualify for every study, so plan to apply to a lot of them and with multiple marketing companies.
• Answer honestly. Lie on the surveys and the recruiter will likely ban you from the platform permanently.
• Check your email regularly. Paid research studies are usually time-sensitive, and often the first respondents are rewarded for their punctuality.
• Do your homework. Not every company that claims to do research is legit. Some take your info, “disqualify you” for the study, then sell that info to other companies. Check sites like the Better Business Bureau, Yelp, Reddit and Trustpilot to sift out the time wasters and bad actors.
• Check their payment terms. Companies pay in gift cards, cash, or via apps like PayPal. The timeframe of when you’ll be paid varies widely between companies, so read the fine print.

We’ve compiled a list of some popular companies that conduct paid research studies. Some are generalists, while some cater to a specific clientele or demographic. 

#1. User Interviews

In our experience, User Interviews offers a very high payout compared to the time spent. During our test, we earned a net rate of $55 per hour . Most of the payments are in the form of Amazon gift cards rather than cash, though there are occasionally PayPal options.

#2. Respondent

Respondent focuses their recruitment on IT/tech employees, CEOs and other industry professionals. They offer hefty compensation for participants, which can rise to as much as $750 per hour (according to their website). Respondent pays in PayPal only and only allows you to apply to three studies per day.

While the payouts for Respondent studies are high, it can be difficult to qualify for them. Professionals in IT and other technology business roles tend to have an easier time. You can only apply to the B2B studies if you link your work email to your Respondent profile.

We only earned $31 per hour in our Respondent testing , but that still makes this one of the highest-paying market research opportunities we’ve discovered. 

A Reddit user who goes by the screen name sauciestcoconut claims to have made over $2,000 with DScout , noting that their key to success is that they “literally apply to almost every single mission that I might qualify for. I skip the ones that obviously don’t relate to me (about kids or certain occupations) but I submit several applications a day.”

#4. Universities

These are the original source of paid research studies, so if you live near a university, they can be a great option to make some extra cash. They can be trickier to locate, as each department will have its own recruitment methods.

There is no central repository for these studies that we could find, but here is a list of a few major institutions to get you started:

• Carnegie Mellon (offers online research opportunities)
• University of Nebraska
• University of Texas
• University of Colorado

To sign up to be part of the pool of research study participants at your local university, do an internet search for the university’s name and “paid research studies.” Many (though not all) research studies are conducted in person.

Here’s another route to find these opportunities: if you live near a medical research university, ask your doctor if they know of any clinical trials going on that you may qualify for.

#5. Fieldwork

Fieldwork offers focus groups in 13 locations around the U.S. If you don’t live near one, you can join their online database. They especially need doctors, nurses, and other healthcare professionals for their studies.

After you register with their site, an employee will call or email you when you come up as a match for a study’s requirements. They have a good reputation as a legitimate company, but users say it’s imperative that you answer the phone when they call . Otherwise, they’ll move on to the next qualifying person on their list.

#6. U.S. Government Clinical Trials

The federal government is always looking for people to participate in clinical trials of various medications and treatments, many of which are conducted through the National Institutes of Health.

These studies can be a particularly good option if you suffer from a chronic medical condition, as you may gain access to cutting-edge treatments before they’re widely available. And as a general rule, these trials are safe; although they may not produce the results that the researchers are hoping for, researchers don’t conduct trials that they believe have the potential to cause harm. 

You can find a list of ongoing clinical trials at clinicaltrials.gov . This is just a repository for the information; each trial is conducted by a different company, university or organization, and you’ll have to contact each study you’re applying for by phone or email. No compensation information is available on the site, and pay rates vary widely depending on factors such as the required time commitment. 

#7. FocusGroup.com

FocusGroup.com has 16 facilities nationwide where you can participate in face-to-face focus groups and panels. These typically pay well, since there’s more work involved in attending an in-person interview than a phone or internet survey.

This company is now owned by Schlesinger Group (rebranded as SAGO), and the change has caused some operational hiccups. For example, there have been several complaints to the Better Business Bureau of participants not getting paid and receiving poor or no communication from the company. However, most of these issues have reportedly been resolved. 

#8. Rare Patient Voice

Due to the nature of this company’s clientele, it is extremely difficult for them to match people to research studies, as they focus on rare diseases and conditions. That said, if you do qualify (and they list their ongoing studies directly on their site), you are handsomely compensated.

Rare Patient Voice has a good reputation, earning an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau . Most of the complaints from participants are related to delayed payment due to an investigation on whether the participant sped through the questions too quickly to give a thorough review. 

#9. FindFocusGroups.com

This site doesn’t host paid research studies directly; it’s more like Craigslist for vetted, high-paying focus groups. (That means you’ll have to apply to each study individually.) Focus groups are sorted by city and state, but there are nationwide online groups as well.

The interface of the site is filled with ads, so make sure that when you click on a sign-up link you’re signing up for an individual study, not clicking over to a random advertiser (some of whom make their ads looks like study invitations).

The reputation of FindFocusGroups.com is hard to speak to as the site is just a board that posts the focus groups of various companies.

#10. SIS International

As you might guess from the name, SIS International is one of the few companies on this list that is open to participants around the world. Their research covers a broad range of industries — everything from burgers to butane.

Participants seem to like participating in SIS International’s research. The company has five stars on Trustpilot and many complimentary reviews from former study participants. 

#11. Probe Market Research

Probe Market Research has three focuses: consumer studies, business-to-business research and healthcare. It’s a legit company, though some participants complain of late payments and the inconvenience of getting paid in virtual Visa cards , which can only be used online and expire in 90 days. However, the company has four stars on Yelp and most reviews are positive.

#12. Focus Insite

Though they pay well, several Reddit users note that it’s pretty hard to qualify for these studies . Though the reviews aren’t all bad; for example, Redditor stormborn29 said , “Focus Insite sent me a really nice vacuum to test, and I was paid $200 — plus I got to keep the vacuum.” 

Focus Insite does, however, have a few unresolved BBB complaints regarding the lack of payment to participants . They have an active Facebook page, but the reviews on that page look unrelated to market research or surveys. In other words, this research company appears to be legit, but we still recommend proceeding with caution. 

#13. WatchLab

If you’re curious about the latest WatchLab studies, check out their Facebook page . WatchLab’s website is geared toward companies that employ them, not participants, so you’ll get more information on Facebook. Many studies are related to social media use.

This firm is notorious for taking a long time to pay , and they’ve been dinged by many users for not paying at all. They only have 2.5 stars on Yelp (based on 32 reviews), and most of the complaints are due to nonpayment. 

GLG presents a different type of opportunity than most of the other companies on this list. They do research on big purchasing decisions, recruit expert witnesses for trials and more. They keep a list of industry experts in management, law, finance and other professional fields to interview or consult on special cases or niche studies.

“Consultants” usually have years of industry experience, and often have leadership roles. A handful of other companies do this too; AlphaSights, Guidepoint, Third Bridge and Coleman are a few others. 

The screening required to become a consultant for GLG and other high-paying research firms is extensive, as they only want respondents that have specific credentials. To get selected, veterans in this consulting side gig world recommend being very detailed in your LinkedIn profile, as recruiters for these studies rely heavily on the platform to identify potential participants.

Many studies are geared toward mid to senior-level professionals, and if you’re matched with a study, you can make up to $500 per hour or more.

#15. Recruit + Field

Recruit + Field covers the U.S., UK, Canada, Australia and New Zealand. They have an impressive list of clients, including Apple, Netflix, Clinique, Spotify and more. This company is somewhere between a GLG (looking for experts) and FieldWork (looking for all walks of life plus healthcare professionals), as they recruit in each of these areas.

Their reputation is fairly good; Recruit + Field has an A- rating on BBB (only 4 complaints, all of which have been answered). 

What About Apex Focus Group?

When we tested Apex Focus Group , we found that the platform offers none of its own paid research studies and uses misleading marketing tactics to get users to sign up for its email list. Once opted in, the company sends affiliate marketing messages to your inbox. Some of those messages contain legit focus group opportunities, but they’re the same focus groups you could find on your own — often by visiting the sites listed above.

Paid Research Study Sites: Summary and Final Thoughts

You won’t qualify for every study, and unfortunately, no amount of hard work will change that. (Plus these companies now have layers of checks and AI algorithms to vet cheating and lying, so don’t try that either). 

Because of this, paid research studies fall squarely in the side-hustle-only camp. For the best return, apply to a number of studies you have a good chance of qualifying for, and quickly respond when you get a call or email from the market research company (as many studies are deadline driven). 

Whether you’re a stay-at-home parent looking to make a few bucks during naptime or a senior project manager looking for a good-paying, low-maintenance side gig , paid research studies can be an easy way to make extra money.

Different companies cater to different demographics, and hence, want different research participants. So do your homework on the research company before you sign up to get a better response rate. 

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Influence the Future of Technology, Products and Services

Learn About Emerging Technology

Get Paid to Share your Valuable Opinions

Influence the future of technology, products & services, earn money sharing your valuable opinions on daily-use products, services, and technology..

• Witness technological advancements and product enhancements firsthand.
• Get rewarded for providing your opinions and feedback.
• Stay informed about the latest emerging technology and innovative products

How it works:

Sign Up & Participate

Join our growing community of technology professionals, computer users, gamers, and people like you who participate in research studies such as online surveys, one-on-one interviews, user tests, and more.

Share your feedback and influence future development of the products and services you use every day from technology and productivity apps to online games and tools for developers and educators. There’s something for everyone.

Keep informed about emerging technologies, products, and services. Help others learn by sharing your valuable user experience with the companies designing these products and services.

Participants are paid quickly for each completed research engagement. Payments are sent electronically and can be converted to cash, prepaid cards, gift cards and more.

By registering on the URI Participant Portal , you can select studies that are based on profiles that match your experience and interests. You can choose as many profiles as you wish and may be asked to answer a series of questions in order to be considered for the study. To increase your chances of being chosen to participate, select the profile(s) that fit you best.

Everyone qualifies for consumer studies, there is no prior experience required for these studies.

Studies for people who play console, computer, mobile or VR/AR video games.

Information Workers

If you use productivity software at work such as Microsoft Office Suit e or Google Suite these studies are for you.

Person with a Disability

These studies are intended for people with physical, sensory, or mental conditions or impairments.

Technology Professionals

These studies are for people who are software/devops engineers, data professionals, data scientists, IT professionals, etc.

If you travel for business or pleasure these studies are for you.

Miscellaneous

We also have studies for students, educators, health care workers, seniors, parents, etc.

Our Participants tell us

Get paid to share your opinions.

Influence the future of technology, products and services., refer a friend.

We’re always looking for more people like you! If you know someone who would be interested in participating in a study, please have them sign up in our database!

What to expect when participating

Help center.

The URI Help Center is your place for commonly asked questions regarding participating in research studies, we encourage you to visit the Help Center. 

Remember: URI is testing the product, not you.

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50+ Clinical Trials with Compensation Near You

Home / Clinical Trials / 50+ Clinical Trials with Compensation Near You

Clinical trials with compensation are a great opportunity to get involved in important medical research. A clinical trial is held to gather data on the potential of a novel treatment to address a specific illness. A clinical trial often focuses on people with a certain chronic condition or genetic risk factors.

A clinical study with compensation focuses on paying individual for participating in their trials. This helps study teams to more quickly drive interest around a trial, and also helps to ensure that clinical trial participants subsist through the entire trial. Some clinical trials with compensation also recruit healthy volunteers, those with no specific diagnosis or special medical needs. Which volunteers are needed for which study depends on the study’s goals. Nobody qualifies for every study, but through effective upfront communication with the study team most participants can quickly learn whether or not they are a good fit for an observational study or investigational treatment.

Compensation for research studies is a hot topic for both participants and organizers. Not all clinical trials with compensation fit everyone, but the right trial can help participants defray their costs and earn some money – anywhere from just $10 for a single visit to multiple thousands for longer studies.

Each clinical trial responds to diverse needs, so there’s no way of knowing precisely how much any given study will offer in compensation. With that said, there are a few basic facts you should know as you do research and decide whether participating in a trial focused on an investigational drug or treatment plan is the right fit for you.

Clinical Trials For Healthy Volunteers With Compensation

How much can volunteers make in clinical trials with compensation.

Compensation for clinical trials varies widely. It can range anywhere from below $100 to thousands of dollars for qualified participants. Compensation generally scales with the length and complexity of the trial, with individuals participating in the entire study maximizing their compensation. The shorter a clinical research study, the lower the amount of compensation offered, just as with research studies in other fields.

Can You Get Expenses Paid for in a Clinical Trial?

When you are cleared to participate in a research study, you will usually have any direct costs related to the study covered by the presiding company or organization. For example, you will not need to pay for a treatment given to you as part of a research study, and it does not matter if you have insurance.

Depending on the structure of the study, you may or may not qualify to have certain indirect expenses paid for. The most common indirect expense is travel. If you need to travel a long way from your home to a laboratory facility, you can often submit receipts for gas or other expenses for reimbursement.

When Do You Receive Clinical Trial Compensation?

Reimbursements are generally processed soon after they are received. On the other hand, if you’ve been offered a flat sum for your participation in the study, you will usually only receive it at a certain point in the study or after specific conditions are met.

These “conditions” usually relate to the length of the study. For example, a study that’s intended to run for a year might compensate volunteers every three months. This recognizes the fact that even some of the volunteers who qualify will not necessarily stay with the study for its entire duration.

Which Clinical Trials Offer the Most Study Compensation?

There’s no way of knowing exactly how much any given trial will provide in compensation until you contact the study sponsor. In order to make sure that you are a good fit for the trial, there will be a thorough screening process that makes sure you are a good fit, pass the exclusion criteria, and will complete the trial. As a general guideline, though, more complex clinical trials provide more compensation.

Many clinical trials have only a few basic requirements. As long as you meet the exclusion criteria, all you need to do is take the medical treatments as directed and occasionally get blood tests or other laboratory tests. But sometimes, researchers will need more information from you or will be in contact more frequently with the study physician or research team.

For instance, you might be asked to maintain a “clinical trial diary” that gives greater insight into how a condition responds at different times after treatment. This is an example of something the study research staff might figure into their calculations when determining compensation.

Is Compensation for Clinical Trial Participation Based on the Study’s Outcome?

In a word, no. A clinical trial will not offer its volunteers more or less money based on whether or not the research was successful, but rather fully participating in studies should aware you with the full compensation package. In fact, it might be months or even years before anyone can say with full certainty whether a study had the results the sponsor hoped for.

While you’re never responsible for the outcome of a study, your level of participation is definitely a factor. If you accidentally fail to follow instructions (on treatment dosage or timing, for example) it potentially invalidates your data, which may preclude compensation.

How Do I Find Out How Much Compensation a Trial Offers?

Most clinical trials with compensation advertise that compensation is available. However, a study sponsor might be legally limited in how much information they can publicize. Once it’s been verified that you match the required volunteer profile, you will receive written documentation of compensation and requirements. In some situations, an annual trial compensation package might be appropriate based on the types of interventions or medical treatments being tested.

Compensation for clinical trials makes it easier and more accessible to be a part of important medical research. Your decision to participate could help people all around the world that you will never meet, and help study drugs and treatment get out to market more quickly.

Are There Clinical Trials That Offer Compensation Near Me?

Most studies, especially ones that focus on healthy volunteers, have various locations and can even be ran in multiple countries. While technology is still being developed to allow participants to remotely participate in clinical trials, generally most study teams and study sponsors still require clinical trial participants to meet in-person based on the study design during the trial to check in on the progress of a treatment. Most major cities in the United States will offer some clinical trials that offer financial compensation and studies with locations near you.

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Paid Vaccine Trial For Women 16-17 Years Old

CMVictory: a vaccine trial for women between 16-17 years old. 

Paid Clinical Trials Nationwide

Nationwide clinical trials offering up to $3,000 for participation and treatment.

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Vaccine study that aims to protect teens ages 12–17 against Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) and infectious mononucleosis (mono).

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Updated: February 13, 2024

Paid Research Studies

34 sites to find legit paid research studies and focus groups....

This is the definitive guide to finding online paid research studies that you can earn from.

Today you’ll learn:

• What online paid research is
• What types of research you could participate in
• Legit places to find well paying research studies you can do from home
• Tips on how to succeed making money from paid research

I’ve spent a week researching and learning about all the different places you can earn cash from taking part in studies.

🏆 Best Sites for Paid Research Studies

If you’re in a hurry, these are the top sites we recommend:

🌎 Worldwide

🇺🇸 Inside USA

• FindFocusGroups.com

Reddit r/PaidStudies

Keep scrolling for more info and resources.

Jump to…

• What is online paid research?
• How much can I earn?
• Best International Sites
• Best Sites for the USA
• 30+ More Legit Sites
• Are paid research studies legit?
• Are $350+ focus groups real?
• What skills do I need?
• General Tips

Pros and Cons

• Can I be a full-time participant?
• Share your experience

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🤔 What Is Online Paid Research?

Online paid research is a broad term. It mainly includes activities like:

• Focus Groups Providing feedback with a bigger group of testers or participants.
• In-home Interviews Talking directly with people over the phone or internet.
• One-on-one Interviews Sharing your opinion via video conferencing software.
• Answering Questionnaires Giving feedback to short questions based on your opinions or experiences.
• Taste / Product Testing Receiving a “first-look” at products and testing them.
• Mock Trial / Mock Jury Participating in a simulated court trial to help legal workers train.

You’ll sometimes see paid research called “paid studies” or “paid focus groups” too. 

Generally you’ll be providing companies information about their products or services to help them improve. Or you might be helping scientists or researchers gather information about things like diseases or human behavior.

The subject of research can be varied.

Note that we differentiate between paid research studies and paid surveys, though there can be some overlap. Both are considered GetPaidTo (GPT), but you’ll usually earn more money with research studies.

• See our list of best survey sites

🤑 How Much Do Research Studies Pay?

Typically, research studies can pay anything between $8 – $450 per hour .

While generally not a consistent source of income, they can be a great way to earn some extra money.

An example of a paid online research study that many people could potentially qualify for:

Potential earnings rely on a few factors:

• Method of research Online studies tend to pay less than in-person ones. This is because the range of information a researcher can receive is limited to text or speech. Sometimes the higher paying studies need more information (i.e. health metrics in clinical research).
• Length of study The longer the study, the higher the chance of earning. Some studies can be less than an hour in length. Others might go on for several weeks or months.
• Type of payment Some online paid research positions don’t pay in cash at all but rather gift cards or vouchers. These could limit you to certain vendors you may not be interested in (Walmart when you live outside the U.S. for instance).
• Number of research studies available Don’t be fooled into thinking high paying online studies are everywhere, they’re not. As far as market research companies or clinical trials go, they are expensive to set up and manage.
• Demographics Certain studies want to target a specific age, income or gender etc. There’s no promise you’ll qualify for enough studies to make it worth your while.

The highest to lowest earning online paid research study types are:

• Focus groups
• Taste/product testing
• Questionnaires or surveys ( list of best survey sites )

The last group pays the least but usually has more regular opportunities.

🌎 Best Places to Find Paid Studies Online

There are several legit sites to find paid research studies.

The two best places, in my opinion, are PingPong and Respondent . They take participants from anywhere, not just the U.S.

Let’s take a closer look at each.

Respondent.io is a website that helps companies like Allstate and eBay perform market research studies.

As a “respondent” (fancy word for research participant), you’ll be paid for taking part in focus groups, one-on-one interviews and other research work.

Examples of paid research studies available at Respondent:

The majority of the studies are performed online or via phone (i.e. remote).

🤑 Earning Range

• $20 – $500 per study
• High payout
• Good reputation among online workers
• Not easy to qualify for research studies
• Slow customer support
• Full Respondent review

PingPong is a recent player in the marketing research space, launched in 2017. Its platform is designed to bring developers and research participants together in one-on-one video calls to help test websites . 

As their past clients include companies like BT, Skyscanner, Zapier and Nestle, you know they’re legit.

One user reported earning €40 per hour participating in 3 studies on PingPong:

• €10 – €100 for every session
• €30+ per hour of a video call (special cases up to €200)
• You don’t need to match any special criteria
• The chance to work with top brands
• Requires providing feedback with a webcam
• Possibly boring if you’re not interested in web design and usability

🇺🇸 Best Sites For Paid Studies Online In The USA

If you’re a U.S. resident there are two more options worth checking out: FindFocusGroups.com and r/PaidStudies .

These are listing sites as opposed to market research companies. 

FindFocusGroups.com allows you to search for both in-person and online research studies taking place across America. 

At the time of writing, there are several online focus groups and clinical trials listed. These cover topics as broad as credit cards, Bay Area living and home ownership.

• $65 – $400 per study
• Frequently updated 
• Good number of focus-groups and research studies available
• All studies with decent pay
• Third-party site, can’t always promise legit studies
• The application process isn’t standard (dependent on whatever site you’re referred to)

r/PaidStudies is a growing subreddit that was first started in 2017.

It lists paid market research studies, including the ones that can be done online from anywhere in the USA.

An example of a paid study linked from r/PaidStudies:

• $25 – $500 per study
• New research studies posted daily
• Big range of study types; clinical trials, focus groups, product testing, etc.
• You don’t have to create an account to apply 
• Some overlap with platforms like Respondent re-posting studies

😎 30 Other Legit Places to Find Paid Focus Group

There are a bunch of other legit places with research studies available.

Sites below are listed in alphabetical order. So, there are some really good ones mentioned even towards the very end of the article. Keep scrolling down and you will see examples of online studies that pay up to $500 for a 75-minute call interview …

20|20 Research

Part of the Schlesinger marketing group, 20|20 Research has over 30 years experience in the industry.

They offer both online focus groups and one-on-one interviews mainly to U.S. residents. Examples:

• $50 – $350 per qualitative research
• $1 – $10 for each quick survey (quantitative research)
• High earning potential
• Many short survey opportunities available, paying out anything between $1 – $10 cash
• Lengthy pre-screening tests
• Higher earning rates for in-person studies (specifically for people in Charlotte, Nashville and Miami)

Adler Weiner Research

Adler Weiner Research has over 60 years experience in the industry. They specialize in consumer, medical and business-to-business marketing.

They offer focus-groups, in-depth interviews and shop alongs (a research team goes with you to shop).

An example of online study:

• $25 – $300 per study
• Diverse research study types
• Reputable company
• Mostly want people for in-person studies in Chicago, Los Angeles and Orange Country

Amazon Mechanical Turk (MTurk)

Mechanical Turk is a “microjobs” site from Amazon where you can get paid to perform small tasks, including participation in research studies.

MTurk brings researchers and participants together allowing for pseudo-anonymity between both. Having a third party (Amazon) overseeing payments is a great way to protect both parties.

Examples of the higher paying tasks one user reported on the Hustle:

As you can see above, this user was earning between $10.54 – $14.24 per hour, while only taking the highest paying surveys.

However, most tasks pay at the lower end:

The Hustle reported average earnings:

A 2018 academic study analyzed 3.8m tasks completed by 2,676 workers on MTurk and found that average earnings through the platform amounted to $2 per hour . Only 4% of all workers earned more than the federal minimum wage of $7.25/hour.

• $1 – $14 per hour
• Many varied opportunities
• Open to internationals
• Lower paying
• Strong competition for places
• Check this subreddit which posts the highest paying tasks on MTurk

American Consumer Opinion

Boasting 6 million members, American Consumer Opinion runs paid research studies several times a year. They normally don’t pay much, but you might be selected for those rare market research studies that pay up to $50.

The platform runs on a points system rather than cash payouts. When you hit $10.00, you can request your money.

• About $2 – $5 for a few minute study
• $0.1 – $0.3 compensation if you disqualify
• Varied research subjectis (product opinions, website testing, etc.)
• Much more low-paying surveys than higher-paying focus groups

Apex Focus Group

Apex Focus Group is seeking individuals to participate in paid focus groups, survey panels, clinical trials, and phone interviews.

Most of their studies are 90 – 120 minutes in duration and on the topics like food, sports, entertainment, pets, electronics, automobiles and parenting.

• $35 – $75 (per 1 hour session)
• $250 – $500 (multi-session studies)
• High payouts
• Varied research topics
• High competition among participants
• U.S. residents only

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Brand Institute

As the parent of the Drug Safety Institute (DSI), Brand Institute specializes in medical research surveys.

They only work with licenced healthcare workers as participants. Most surveys seem to take 15 to 40 minutes and pay between $10 – $20 on average .

The list of open surveys is only available for signed-up users. But you can find their users reviews on Facebook . One user posted a screenshot of his survey history a few years ago…

• $2 – $30 per study
• Quick earning opportunity for healthcare workers
• Many reported that surveys were interesting and fun
• Requires a medical license number from participants
• Not that many surveys seem to be available lately

Carnegie Mellon University | Center for Behavioral and Decision Research

Carnegie Mellon runs a few online studies from their research lab. Subjects include things like personal attitudes, beliefs, human judgement and decision-making. 

• $8 per hour on average (for online studies)
• Short online studies (from 5 minutes to an hour)
• Enter a lottery for a chance to win a larger prize
• Participants are primarily needed for in-person studies in labs on campus
• Can not participate in more than one study at one time

Columbia Business School | Center for Decision Sciences

Columbia Business School is continually recruiting people to take part in online studies.

Recent topics of study have involved completing interactive decision-making tasks, short cognitive tests, solving brain teasers and answering general questions about politics.

• About $16 per hour
• Good number of research projects
• Steady pay rate
• Few studies for people outside US
• May be strict eligibility requirements

CenterWatch

CenterWatch is an aggregator of worldwide clinical research studies. They list studies from research labs and clinics all over the globe, including those doing important research on subjects like dementia and genetic screening.

Unfortunately, they often don’t disclose the earning ranges on their studies and many are strictly voluntary.

You’ll need to play around with the search filters to find paid and/or online studies. Try searching for the following keywords:

• Compensation
• Compensated

Here’s an example of a paid online study I found via search:

• Available studies on all continents (but mainly in North America, Europe and Asia)
• You can find well-paid studies
• Poor site navigation (hunting for paid online studies can take a while)
• Many studies are voluntary

Fieldwork is a marketing research company that has been operating since 1980.

They are mainly focused on consumer and medical panels and have several in-person paid research locations in the US.

• $75 minimum for focus groups
• Short sessions (1-2 hours)
• Variety of topics
• Few online paid research gigs (most are in-person)

FocusGroup.com

FocusGroup.com is another research company owned by the Schlesinger Group. They list many online focus groups and research studies on their Facebook page .

FocusGroup.com also operates under the brands Focus Pointe Global and Inspired Opinions.

Example of an online focus group:

• $75 – $200 per study
• Reputable brand
• Slow payout (cash usually received within 6-8 weeks of participation)
• There could be some delays in payment
• Check out Focus Group on Facebook for the latest studies

Google’s User Experience Research

Google runs different focus group studies to get user feedback on a range of their products and services.

Many of these studies offer redemptions in the form of gift cards or charity donations. Gift card options are relevant to your country.

• $25 – $200 per hour of screen-recording surveys
• About $0.5 or more for 30-40 minutes of surveys that don’t require screen recordings

Here’s the official word from Google :

Once your participation is complete, you’ll get a small thank-you gift like a gift card or a donation to your favorite charity . We’ll always tell you what the reward will be before you decide whether to participate.

• Wide eligibility (just have to use Google products)
• Open for people outside the US
• Donate to your favorite charity
• Lengthy sign-up process (1-2 hours survey regarding your usage of Google products)
• Pay varies greatly depending on a type of survey

Harvard University | Psychology Department Study Pool

Running since the 1800’s, Harvard’s reputation as one of the world’s finest educational institutions is global.

Harvard’s Psychology Department is also one the highest ranked in the world. It has openings for paid research on the regular.

Some of the studies require you to attend in person, but they also do online studies. Time and compensation will be listed in the description of each study.

• $10 – $25 per hour on average
• Available opportunities for foreign internationals
• Limited places (plus high competition)

MIT Behavioral Research Lab

There are many different types of paid research you can do with the MIT Behavioral Research Lab. Common activities include completing group assignments, filling out questionnaires, playing games and taking part in interviews or discussions.

MIT uses the platform Sona to bring participants and research leaders together. Online studies usually last between 15 and 45 minutes.

• $10 – $20 per hour for online studies

While most researchers pay participants a flat rate, some researchers prefer to use a performance-based payment system, where participants receive a fixed base rate for completing a study, plus a variable bonus that reflects how well they perform in certain tasks.

• Performance-based payment gives opportunity to earn more
• Strict eligibility criteria
• Open to US residents only

Mindswarms is a market research company that’s focused exclusively on video.

Completing one of their studies involves recording your insights on a business or product via a smartphone, tablet or webcam. Past clients include Nike, Verizon and Google. You can find out more about their clients here .

• $10 – $50 per study (from a few minutes to 20 min)
• Video format
• Few studies available

Northwestern University | Department of Psychology

Northwestern University’s Psychology Department is at the cutting edge of psychological research in America.

Recent study topics include Covid-19, the impact of the Trump presidency and the efficiency of female leaders.

An example of a recent online study:

• $15 – $421 per study
• Interesting topics
• Available studies for those under 18 years of age
• Most surveys for U.S. residents only

Purdue University

Purdue University, known as one of the most innovative schools in America, is another site that will pay you for taking part in studies.

A recent online telehealth study, looking at speech in individuals with Parkinson’s disease, shows the type of research they do…

• $10 – $70 per study
• Some studies provide extra bonuses for completing sessions
• Website is difficult to navigate (hard to figure out which opportunities are online vs in-person)
• Few online studies

Plaza Research

In business since 1982, Plaza Research runs a lot of studies targeted at consumers, parents, teens, students, business professionals and healthcare workers.

Most focus groups are up to 2-hours long and discuss things like new products from major manufacturers.

• $50 – $200 per study
• Growing number of opportunities (online survey taking, paid interviews and focus groups)
• Long sign-up process
• Poor website design

Probe Market Research

Probe Market Research conducts group interviews over the phone or online. You can get paid for your opinions on things like new TV commercials, beauty products and even soda bottle designs. Past clients include Dell, Lego and eBay.

An example of recent online research on credit cards:

• $50 – $400 per study
• Chance to work with top brands
• Mostly US-based opportunities
• Check out PMR’s on Facebook to view recent research opportunities

Recruit and Field

Recruit and Field has been in business since 1977. They specialize in connecting and inviting participants to take part in focus groups, phone interviews, online surveys and in-home product testing.

Some studies pay cash while others offer Amazon gift cards and PayPal payouts.

• $100 – $300 per study
• Varied research formats (phone, online, in-home, etc.)
• Competitive (the website claims a pool of 300,000 respondents)
• Check out Recruit & Field on Facebook for the latest studies

Reddit r/FocusGroups

r/FocusGroups is a community very similar to r/PaidStudies and has a lot of crossover. You can sign up to each of the opportunities they list directly.

At the time of writing there are studies paying as high as $250 per hour that require only a WebCam to share product opinions…

• New daily listings
• Overlaps with other sites on this list

Resolution Research

Resolution Research looks for “engaged and enthusiastic participants from all walks of life in the US and Canada”, according to their website.

They run focus groups, product and device tests, mock juries, taste tests and online surveys. They also run two other research panels; The Medical Panel and PaidStudies.com.

• $20 – $200 per survey (estimated)
• Reputable brand (several studies running across different panels)
• Confusing web interface (lots of redirection to other panels/websites)

SIS International

SIS International does research into topics like smoking and tobacco use, social media opinions and online entertainment use.

You’ll get paid to join focus groups, do online surveys and give product feedback in one-to-one interviews. Example:

• $25 – $400 per study
• Open to international participants (Germany, London, Milan, etc.)
• Available studies for teenagers
• Some users reported poor customer service
• Check out SIS International on Facebook for the latest studies in the USA

Stanford Graduate School of Business

Stanford’s School of Business is another Ivy-league University running a research lab.

Most studies can be done online or in-person at choice. Studies typically include cash or gift card payments averaging $25 an hour .

Studies are usually run through Sona, MTurk or Opinion World.

• $25 per hour
• Most studies can be done online
• Specific eligibility requirements

SurveyFeeds

SurveyFeeds is another aggregator site that lists several online paid research gigs.

• Nationwide studies
• Not many studies available

Survey Squad

Survey Squad is most active on their Twitter account when it comes to listing new paid research spots. Recent studies include online live chats on the topic of finance, nutrition and dating.

• Earn additional rewards by completing multiple surveys through Survey Squad
• Many users reported never qualifying for surveys or being denied after initial confirmation
• Slow payout
• Check out SurveySquad’s Twitter account for the latest studies

University of California | Anderson Behavioral Lab

The UCLA Anderson School of Management has a couple of online paid research places looking at things like decision making, consumer and organizational behavior and human judgement. 

You’ll have to register via Sona ( here ) to apply for paid studies.

• $13 – $15 per hour
• Few research gigs

University of California | Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior

The Semel Institute offers mainly in-person research studies but does have a few online studies occasionally.

Research focuses on neuroscience, with investigations into things like body dysmorphia, depression and sleep. Some studies focus on teens under 18 years too.

Click on the studies that interest you on this page and contact the email address provided.

• $10 – $15 per hour (estimated)
• Interesting and varied research topics
• Online studies are rare (and hard to filter them on the site)

User Interviews

User Interviews does what it says, it pays to hear your thoughts over Zoom calls and other conferencing software.

Recent studies have looked at things like streaming services, food delivery and mobile apps. You can view the list of available paid research studies here .

• $15 – $340 per study
• Many studies with decent pay
• The company has good reputation
• Long screeners to apply for studies
• May be hard to qualify

The WatchLab is an American-based marketing agency operating out of Portland and Chicago.

They sometimes have paid studies you can do over the phone or online. Most of these are 1-2 hour long focus groups.

• $90 – $200 per study
• Mainly focus groups
• Most studies are in-person
• Check out watchLab’s Facebook page for the latest studies

👮‍♂️ Are Paid Research Studies Legit?

I’d say paid research studies are definitely legit.

Like any online earning opportunity you have to be careful though. Many sites will just waste your time with screening questionnaires if you don’t fit certain demographics.

Make sure the paid research study you do apply for has their criteria clearly listed.

⚠️ How to Make Sure Research Companies Are Legit

Here’s what you can do to avoid wasting your time and only find legit chances to earn:

• Check for an official address Does the company have a listed public address with contact numbers and staff listings?
• Look for a professional website Does the website look well put together with a good about page that talks about how studies work?
• Read the company privacy policy Read all documentation available so you know your rights as a participant.
• Check email correspondence Does the email address include the company or institution’s name?
• Avoid any request for money If someone is asking for money up front it’s definitely a scam.
• Check online profiles : Verify who you’re dealing with by looking for a company profile at the Better Business Bureau or Trustpilot.org.

🧐 Are $350 focus groups real?

Although there are chances to earn this amount of cash (or higher) don’t expect it to be standard. Earnings like this aren’t typical.

Your best chance to earn high are to go with the sites recommended at the beginning of this article:

• r/PaidStudies

🤓 What Skills Do You Need For Paid Studies?

You only need basic skills to take part in paid studies.

Besides being able to confidently use a computer or mobile device, you’ll also need to be good at the following:

• Communication Speaking when requested and giving precise feedback.
• Punctuality Attending studies at the time specified.
• Question comprehension Understand and matching what’s asked in each study.
• Upholding confidentiality Respecting the privacy requests of the research.

😎 General Tips For Doing Well With Paid Research

Here are some suggestions to do well in paid research and increase your chances of landing further gigs:

• Know your rights Carefully read the terms and conditions of every study you join.
• Give honest information Be truthful with your answers, don’t give research leaders the answers you think they might want to hear.
• Remain patient Don’t interrupt other participants.
• Follow instructions Do the things researchers ask of you to the best of your ability.

What Are The Pros and Cons of Paid Research?

The main pros and cons below:

• It’s a simple and fast way to make decent money
• Sharing your opinions can be interesting and fun
• Your opinions can have an important impact
• It’s not a reliable way to earn 
• It’s tough to find high paying online research gigs
• Meeting the criteria and getting accepted can take a long time

Can I Be A Full-Time Online Research Participant?

My opinion is that it’s next to impossible to do online research as a full-time job.

There just aren’t enough studies to qualify for and most of them won’t pay out enough to make it worth your while.

• See more reliable ways to make money online

💬 Share Your Experience

Have you participated in any online research studies? Are there any good sites you’re aware of that we didn’t mention?

Let us know in the comments below .

Other ways to make money online

There are many other ways to make money online, to work from home or anywhere in the world.

• Full list of ways to make money online
• More profiles of online money makers

About The Author

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• Find a Study
• Salt Lake City, UT
• San Antonio, TX
• What is Clinical Research?
• Why Participation is Important?
• Refer a Friend
• Compensation: High – Low
• Compensation: Low – High

Participating in Research

The Behavioral Lab (BeLab) studies human behavior and decision-making by inviting participants to participate in paid online or in-person studies and contribute to cutting-edge research. To participate in paid studies:

What Do These Studies Involve?

HBS researchers study a wide range of topics, including decision making, consumer preferences, group interactions, and economic behaviors. Studies typically involve completing surveys and tasks on a computer. Some studies involve small group interactions with other participants. ​More information on each study is listed in their descriptions on Sona .

To Participate, You Must Be:

Based in the United States

18 years of age or older

Able to show a valid photo ID (government or school issued)

Able to understand and speak English

Comfortable using a computer

Location & Directions

The BeLab is located on the 3rd floor of 2 Arrow St, Cambridge, MA 02138. It is a 5–7-minute walk from Harvard Square. The lab is close to Massachusetts Avenue and located near popular shops like Berryline yogurt, Kung Fu Tea, Boston Burger Company, and across the corner from Zinneken’s Belgian waffles. We are also next to Arrow Street Cleaner’s on Arrow Street.

By Public Transportation

The lab is about a 7-minute walk from the Harvard Station MBTA stop, that includes the Red Line and various bus lines. The lab is also one block away from the MBTA bus 1 stop at Mt. Auburn and Putnam.

Parking in Cambridge is limited and heavily regulated. When possible, we recommend that participants use public transportation. If you decide to drive to the BeLab, there are a few metered parking spaces on Mass Ave and Arrow Street and nearby paid parking garages.

11 Best Paid Research Studies Online (Legit & Free to Join)

There are plenty of ways to earn extra cash online, and one easy method that is known to pay decent money is to do paid research studies.

But the question is, where can you find the best paid research studies online?

I have tested hundreds of paid research opportunities, and in this guide, you will learn everything you need to know about paid research studies so you can find out how to get the most out of earning this way.

I’ll also list down several sites you can join and include a brief summary of each site, so you can easily figure out which ones will fit your needs.

All the sites I will be including in this guide are legit and free to join . So, you’ll just need to invest a bit of time and some effort in order to earn.

Disclosure: Some articles on this website contain affiliate/sponsored links. Click for more info .

What are paid research studies?

Paid research studies are activities done by companies, businesses, or even schools that are designed to gather data.

Technically speaking, if a company or business is the one conducting it, it is called paid market research. But regardless of who is doing it, the process still remains the same. The participants of these activities will get paid to provide valuable input.

There are several types of paid research studies you can find online. Among the common ones are one-on-one interviews, focus groups, and surveys. These activities can be conducted online or in person.

For one-on-one interviews, whether they are conducted online or in person, the process usually involves discussing a certain topic. You will be asked to provide your opinion on certain topics. And once you are done with the interview, that’s when you will be compensated.

For focus groups, the dynamic will be a bit different because this activity will involve multiple people. Just like with interviews, it can be done online or in person. The activity will have one or more moderators and the rest will be participants.

Focus groups are conducted to gather opinions about a specific topic in a group setting to gain extra insights from the group dynamic. For example, a movie company wants to get the best ending for its movie. They conduct a focus group on which kind of ending will resonate with more people. Then you as a participant, will choose which kind of ending you prefer and discuss it in the group. This is actually a pretty common thing, especially with big companies.

Surveys, on the other hand, are less personal, because you won’t be interacting with anyone. You will just be answering a set of questions. But what you need to know about surveys is, they usually have a qualifying process you need to go through.

This is how companies are able to filter the appropriate respondents. So, when you answer a survey, the first set of questions are usually the qualifying questions. If you qualify, you get to proceed to the actual survey.

By far, among all the types of paid research studies, the most common one you can find online is paid surveys. This is also the type of paid research study that pays the lowest. It’s not surprising though since this kind of study requires the least time and effort to complete.

All the other activities usually take up a bit of time and some effort too.

Now, if you are wondering where these in-person research studies take place, it is usually conducted in facilities provided by the company/business/school. So, you will have to travel to that facility in order to participate.

How to earn the most?

Each site that offers paid research studies has different pay structures. Some pay more than others. So, it’s really hard to put an exact figure on how much money you can earn per site.

But, in my experience, the best way to earn the most from these sites is to join around 5 to 7 sites . That way, you gain access to more opportunities and therefore, you can earn more.

In my experience, this is the perfect number of sites to get involved with especially if you are just starting out. It won’t overwhelm you, but you will still be able to earn a decent amount. You can always join more sites further down the line when you become more experienced with this kind of stuff.

11 best paid research studies online

Now that you know the basics, let’s talk about the actual sites you can join that offer paid research studies. Take note that these aren’t the only sites that offer this kind of opportunity.

Instead, they are what I found to be worthy of your time. I will keep updating this list if I find more opportunities worth adding. So, make sure to bookmark this page and check on it from time to time for new additions.

#1 – Weinberg College of Arts & Sciences

Available in: US Payout methods:  Cash Payout threshold: N/A More information:   Check out their website

Short summary: This school’s Department of Psychology regularly conducts research studies that require participants. The research activities offered will vary but most of them are conducted in person. So, you will have to go to their facility to participate.

That means, it is only really available for people who live in the vicinity. Weinberg College is located in Evanston, Illinois. So, if you don’t live near that area, then this isn’t really something worth doing. As for how they pay you, you will usually get compensated in cash after every session you complete.

#2 - YouGov

Available in: 50+ countries Payout methods:  PayPal, gift cards Payout threshold: Depends on your country More information:   Read full YouGov review

Short summary: YouGov is a survey site that is available in a lot of countries and every country has its own survey panel you can join. So, if you are looking for a survey site that offers surveys in your native language, this is one of the best sites you can join.

The payment methods it offers will depend on your country, but usually, PayPal, products, or gift cards  are used to withdraw your earnings. As to the payout threshold you need to reach before you can withdraw your earnings, it will depend on the country you live in.

But in my experience, it will usually be around $10 or so (or the equivalent to your local currency). So, it’s not hard to reach since they do have a decent number of surveys available.

#3 - CDS Virtual Lab Online Panel

Available in: More or less worldwide Payout methods:  PayPal, Amazon gift cards Payout threshold: N/A More information:   Check out their website

Short summary: CDS or Columbia Decision Sciences, will allow you to participate in their studies online. The research studies you can participate in will vary but they will mainly be conducted online.

To participate, you have to fill out their sign-up form and submit it. Then, just wait for them to contact you via email for any opportunities to earn. After you’ve completed any of their research activities, you will be able to receive your payment via PayPal or you can convert your earnings to an Amazon gift card.

The site pays by the hour ($16/hour) for all the research studies they offer. And the best thing is, you don’t have to reach a threshold to withdraw your earnings. You will immediately be able to withdraw the payment after you complete a study.

It also accepts members anywhere in the world (more or less). So, you can register as a member regardless of where you live.

#4 – Toluna Influencers

Available in: More or less worldwide Payout methods:  PayPal, gift cards Payout threshold:  Depends on your country More information:   Read full Toluna Influencers review

Short summary: Another survey site that offers decent earnings is called Toluna Influencers. This site is available more or less worldwide and each country has its own survey panel too. That means surveys will be offered in the local language (if applicable, otherwise, it will be in English).

You will get paid via PayPal or in gift cards. The threshold you need to reach to withdraw your earnings will depend on the country you live in though. It also has a mobile app you can download so you can convenient answer surveys from your mobile device.

#5 - Prolific Surveys

Available in:  Available in many countries Payout methods:  PayPal Payout threshold:  £5/$7 More info:   Read full Prolific Surveys review

Short summary: Prolific Surveys is more a crowdsourcing platform rather than a straight up survey site. It is available in many countries. To earn from this site, you can answer surveys or participate in research studies offered by other participants of the site.

You will get paid via PayPal as long as you’ve earned £5 (if you live somewhere in Europe) or $7 (if you live in the US or other regions). That’s a pretty low payout threshold, in my opinion. So, if you get to answer surveys or participate in even just one research activity, you will be able to withdraw your earnings because they do pay a decent amount.

#6 – Branded Surveys

Available in:  US, UK, or Canada Payout methods:  PayPal, gift cards Payout threshold:  $5 More info:   Read full Branded Surveys review

Short summary: Branded Surveys is a straight-up survey site where you can earn by answering surveys and polls. That’s how easy it is to earn from this site. The only downside is, it is only available in the US, UK, or Canada. So, it has a pretty limited reach.

But if you are eligible to join, you can get paid via PayPal or gift cards. And best of all, their payout threshold is very low ($5). So, you won’t have to wait very long to withdraw your earnings.

They also have a decent number of surveys available, so you can definitely rely on this site for earning extra cash.

#7 – MIT Behavioral Research Lab

Available in: US Payout methods:  Check, gift cards Payout threshold: N/A More information:   Check out their website

Short summary: Another school that offers paid research opportunities is the MIT Behavioral Research Laboratory. Their research studies can be conducted in-lab or online. Lab studies will take place in Cambridge, Massachusetts. So, if you don’t live in that area, then that opportunity isn’t for you.

When you sign up, you may be asked to do various things like filling out questionnaires, playing games, performing various tasks on a computer, completing group assignments, and taking part in discussions or interviews.

You get paid in cash, gift cards, electronic gift certificates, or checks. If the amount exceeds $75, MIT BRL is required to pay you via check for tax reporting purposes. This panel is only available for US residents who are at least 18 years of age.

#8 – Surveytime

Available in:  Worldwide Payout methods:  PayPal, Bitcoin, gift cards Payout threshold:  Pays instantly More information:   Read full Surveytime review

Short summary: Surveytime is a survey site that will pay you instantly. Yes, you read that right. You get paid every time you complete a survey. You will earn a flat rate of $1 per survey regardless of how long it will take to complete it.

Once you complete the survey, you can choose to get paid via PayPal or have your earnings converted to gift cards or Bitcoin. It is available globally, so you can sign up as a member anywhere in the world.

#9 – Respondent

Available in:  Worldwide Payout methods:  PayPal Payout threshold:  Pays instantly More information:   Read full Respondent review

Short summary: Respondent is a form of crowdsourcing site that will pay you for participating in research activities. These activities are called projects, but before you can work on one though, you will have to apply for it.

A study will either be one-on-one or an unmoderated study, and it can be conducted in person or online. The in-person study pays more, but it is harder to qualify for. Every time you complete a project, you will get paid via PayPal immediately.

But, Respondent will charge 5% or $1 (whichever is higher) every time you get paid. That’s a part of how they make money. It is available globally, so you can register as a member regardless of where you live.

#10 – Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior

Short summary: The Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior is part of UCLA and it is located in Los Angeles, California. Most of the research studies it offers are conducted in person. So, if you don’t live in the vicinity of their facility, I don’t really recommend this for you.

Most of the studies pertain to the brain, so qualifying for one can be hard. It’s considered a niche platform but it does pay well. It pays every participant in cash once the research session has been completed.

#11 - Focusgroup.com

Available in:  US Payout methods:  PayPal, Prepaid Visa cards, gift cards Payout threshold:  $10 More information:   Read full Focusgroup.com review

Short summary: As the name of the site suggests, you will be able to earn from Focusgroup.com by participating in, well, focus groups. But aside from that, you can also participate in interviews, shop along activities, and product testing.

It pays a decent amount per study you participate in. And you can usually withdraw your earnings right away for every study you complete because you only need to earn at least $10 to reach their payout threshold.

When you hit their threshold, you can withdraw your earnings via PayPal or convert them to a prepaid Visa card or gift card of your choice. The only downside of this site is, it is only available in the US.

Final Thoughts

So there you go. Those are the best paid research studies online that I have found after having tested hundreds of options.

Keep in mind that all the sites on this list are legit and free to join . You just need to invest your time and a bit of effort in order to earn from them. You also need to be patient because you won’t always qualify for these earning opportunities.

As I’ve suggested earlier, if you want to maximize your earnings, you should join around 5-7 of the sites so you gain access to more earning opportunities. I will keep updating this list if there are any new good sites to join so make sure to bookmark this page .

If you have any comments, questions, or know of paid research studies online that is not on the list, I would love to hear from you in a comment below.

6 thoughts on “11 Best Paid Research Studies Online (Legit & Free to Join)”

Love from India bro I see your all viedo keep growing ❤️??

Thanks. All the best to you too.

Hye Mikael Can you make a video or write article on Paid online Research Studies that pay via Payoneer or airtm and are available for Asian countries especially Pakistan. BTW your videos helped me a lot keep it up?

Sorry, but you will not really find any platforms like that in your country, so I cannot make any content about it.

I live in South United States. I recently am looking to find out how to find these places that pay for clinical trials. Do to my current situation, this seems to be my only option. I’m about to lose my job over an injury/illness situation. If anyone could give me a tip on how to find trial jobs or what is the best state for high demand of clinical trials. I would greatly appreciate it.

You can use some of the options on the list above. And you can also check out some clinical trials here .

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Paid Surveys

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20 Best Paid Research Studies in 2024

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Table of Contents

Best Paid Research Studies

Online Surveys Top Pick

$0.50 – $5 on average per survey

Surveys length up to 20 minutes

$5 minimum withdrawal

Best for Free Gift Cards

Redeem e-gift cards from $1

Free coupons and daily deals

100+ gift cards available

Great for Earning PayPal Cash

Withdraw to PayPal from $5

Take 3 surveys per day and earn $40 monthly

Bank transfer available

Best for Online Shopping

Up to 10% cashback for shopping

Rewards for playing games

$3 minimum withdrawal

20 Paid Research Studies

Survey junkie.

Survey Junkie Summary

• $0.50-$3 average earnings per survey
• Get 2-3 extra points if you screened out of survey
• Additional ways to earn up to $150
• Install Survey Junkie extension for bonus

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.

American Consumer Opinion

American Consumer Opinion Summary

• Easy to understand point system
• Longer surveys can pay up to $50, but most of them pay $0.50 to $2.50 on average
• Product reviews pay up to $200
• Low minimum payout threshold of $10

ACOP, also known as American Consumer Opinion , has accumulated millions of members since it began in 1986. This platform offers some great opportunities to participate in paid research studies . Most shorter surveys will pay you around $0.50 to $2.50, but there is the potential to earn up to $50 with longer studies.

You can redeem your earnings via PayPal starting from just $10. Alternatively, you can donate your points to charity or use your points to enter into sweepstake draws for the chance to win cash or other prizes. 

iSay Summary

• You can earn as much as $50 each month
• Earn $1 for each friend you invite
• Low minimum cash out threshold of $5
• Instant cash out for e-gift cards

Ipsos iSay believes that personal opinions can make a massive difference. This platform has more than three million members who regularly earn rewards from paid research studies conducted via surveys.

On average, you can earn up to 150 points per survey. In addition, one unique feature of the platform compared to other platforms on this list is that you will receive 5 points even if you get screened out of a survey. The platform also features a loyalty program, and you can earn more points per survey the more you take. 

When you accumulate at least 1530 points (worth $15) in your account, you can withdraw your earnings via PayPal .

Note that it can take up to 3 weeks for your earnings to appear in your PayPal account.

Respondent Summary

• Earn up to $700 per hour for your opinion
• Get between $20 to $50 for each referral
• Get paid even if the study is cancelled
• Get paid via PayPal, usually within 5 days

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?

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 Summary

• 4 types of studies you can join to earn
• Over 2k new studies launched each month
• Get a $30 bonus when you refer a friend
• Earn up to $100 per hour for your opinion

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.

Related: 10 Sites for Phone Surveys

Valued Opinions

Valued Opinions offers paid research studies that pay up to $5 per survey. On average, it takes 15 to 20 minutes to fill out one survey and you may need to complete 2 to 20 surveys to reach the $10 threshold. 

Once you have at least $10 in earnings, you can redeem them for gift cards. You can claim gift cards from Amazon, Target, Macy’s, The Home Depot, and Restaurant.com.

The paid research studies topics typically revolve around:

• Environmental issues
• Blockbuster films
• Fashion trends
• Favorite food

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:

• 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.

Related: 9 Highest Paying Survey Sites for Money

Mindswarms is an innovative market research platform that uses video surveys instead of traditional online surveys . Thus, this means that you will have to record yourself answering each question in a survey. Similar to other platforms on this list, you will need to answer some qualifying questions to determine your suitability before each survey.

Each project will have specific instructions that you will need to follow. Typically, you will need to record your answers for up to seven questions. Usually, there is also a set time for you to answer each question. 

Up to $50 can be earned per project. However, shorter surveys typically offer $10 per question. Mindswarm processes payments through PayPal, and generally, the money will be in your account within 1 day of submitting your video recording.

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:

• 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
• 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

Focus Group Summary

• Many ways to earn money
• Make money online
• Earn $1 to $10 per survey
• Work from home or on the go

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. 

Related: 20 Places that Offer Paid Research Studies

PingPong is a relatively new online market research company. Unlike most of the other platforms on this list, PingPong does not conduct its studies through surveys. Instead, the platform specializes in website testing for websites and apps. You can test these products and get paid for providing feedback on your user experience. 

On average, you can earn between $45 to $110 per website testing job. Each job usually takes no more than an hour to complete.

Payments are made via PayPal or Wise within 7 days of completing each job. 

Fieldwork is one of the most popular companies that carry out in-person paid research studies in various cities across the USA.

The company has locations in:

• Minneapolis
• Los Angeles
• San Francisco

Typically, most sessions hosted by Fieldwork take around one to two hours to complete. Compensation for participating usually starts from $75. Fieldwork usually pays via Visa gift cards and you will receive your payment on the spot after each study.

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. 

Related: 28 Online Paid Focus Groups for Money

Probe Market Research

Probe Market Research also regularly conducts research panels for medical professionals, executives, and consumers. You can participate over the phone or online to help researchers gather the data they need.

The company works with major brands and manufacturers, conducting mystery shopping projects, online surveys, product trials, and other paid research studies. 

Focus groups conducted by Probe Market Research typically cost between $50 and $400 and last just a couple of hours.

Survey Feeds

SurveyFeeds isn’t a market research platform itself but provides access to the best paid online focus groups and survey opportunities. The projects are mostly online, but there are some that are conducted physically throughout the US. 

This company frequently updates its website and social media feeds. Thus, you can browse its Facebook page or visit its website to get an idea of the types of paid research studies available. 

The payout for each study can vary, although most studies typically pay between $75 to $300. 

Resolution Research

Resolution Research offers paid research studies in various subjects. After you create your account, you can immediately start participating in opportunities.

Once you have earned at least $10, you can withdraw your earnings via Payoneer or exchange them for gift cards. 

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:

• Online surveys
• Phone interviews

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

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.

Dscout Summary

• Offers high rewards
• Pays via PayPal
• Offers different types of missions
• No minimum threshold

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. 

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How to Find Paid Research Studies That Pay $50+ an Hour

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Last Updated on December 9, 2021 by Daniella

A great way to make money online is with online paid research studies.

These studies usually consist entirely online but may also have the opportunity for an in person activity. They could be interview based, online survey based, focus group based, panel based, or clinical trial based.

Online paid research studies are a notch up from the online paid survey apps like Swagbucks and InboxDollars that take you a week to get to a $20 payout. A good pay range for participating in paid research studies would be $50 an hour and up. You’ll see that some clinical studies mentioned make up to $400 for one study.

All of the sites mentioned in this article pay $50 and up for each paid study, making it a worthwhile way to make extra cash but maybe not a sustainable side hustle – since you have to rely on if you fall into a certain demographic for a study or not.

Let’s explore the opportunities available.

Table of Contents

5 Places to Find Paid Research Studies That Pay $50 an Hour and Up

1. respondent.

Respondent is a website and company that will paid you for online paid research interviews based on both your professional and life experience.

You’ll find research interviews you can get paid for ranging from getting paid to ordering food at a restaurant to testing software, apps , feedback on financial needs, and more. In this case, your data is the product for the payout you’re earning (as with most research studies).

Pay rate: Ranges from $15 for 15 minutes to as much as $300 an hour for 1 study

2. User Research International

User Research International is a company that runs studies for consumers, IT professionals, developers, and more. When you join as a participant in their database, you’ll start receiving emails with study opportunities you can apply to participate in.

Most studies take less than 2 hours and pay anywhere from $50 to $200.

You can get started by going to User Research International and signing up for free.

Pay rate: $50 an hour and up

3. FieldWork

FieldWork is a company that relies on focus groups to aid in their nationwide paid market research studies. Your expertise can influence decision makers through their research.

The site says they are looking for all types of people in all different areas to participate in their studies. If you listen to music or use a bank, FieldWork has a study for you to participate in.

When I went to try it out for myself to apply for a study, I applied for this study for remote workers since I am a full time remote worker . They had tons of different studies available for different workers, interests, and more.

Pay rate: $100 an hour and up

4. User Interviews

Get paid by testing an app, website, or just talking about your life experiences with User Interviews.

User Interviews pays you for your user feedback on an array of different things including (but not limited to):

• Product use feedback
• Software testing
• Application testing
• Website testing
• Content editor workflow questions
• Management experience interviews
• System testing
• Workplace experience feedback

The site features tons of studies that pay anywhere from $50 per 30 minutes so as much as $150 an hour. All studies are done online.

Pay rate: $50 per 30 minutes to as much as $150 an hour

5. Experience Dynamics

Experience Dynamics is a company whose sole purpose is to provide feedback and data to their clients to continually improve the software and products we use in our everyday lives.

They host user research studies that range from interview style, survey, or walking through a website from a start of an action to the end of an action.

All of the different types of studies they have available are:

• Field Studies
• Diary Studies
• Usability Testing
• Phone interviews
• Online Focus Groups
• Online Surveys

Each study pays anywhere from $50 to $150.

Related:  9 Creative Ways to Get Paid to Text

Paid Research Studies: Get Paid for Your Data

As you apply to any of the studies above, continue applying. Don’t expect to get accepted to a study on your first application so increase your chances of acceptance to apply for several studies that fit your expertise or experience.

Be sure to set and keep your boundaries when applying for these studies as well. This is your personal data you’re selling and when it starts to feel a bit too intrusive, chances are your gut is right and maybe you shouldn’t go for that study.

Getting paid to contribute to research is exciting, and keep an open mind but always keep a look out for red flags and anything that makes you feel uncomfortable. You never have to do anything or provide any information that you don’t want to.

For more ways to make money online, take our free side hustle quiz.

• 11 Side Hustles for Nurses
• 8 Side Hustles for Teachers
• 7 Ways to Get Paid to Sleep (Yes, Seriously!)
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Daniella is the creator and author of iliketodabble.com. When their wife Alexandra and them aren’t globetrotting or playing with their 7+ animals, they are dabbling and working towards a future of financial freedom.

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I work as a web developer and I’ve joined User Research International and it’s great!! I got two studies this past month they were 2h and I was paid 225$ for both. You do need to have a technical background for most studies but they are really easy if you have the knowleagh and payment tends to be fast and you have many options on how to get paid.

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Paid focus groups

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Type of research

Research methodology, paid studies faq, how does participating in a paid research project work.

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How much can I earn with Respondent incentives and how long does it take?

Research incentives vary from one research project to another and can range from $5 to $1000 per project, the average incentive for an active participant is around $100. Before you apply to a project you will be able to view the time required for the research task, the type of research and the incentive offered. Research studies on Respondent are typically open for 1-2 weeks and incentive payout is usually processed within 5-10 business days after successful participation.

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These 25 Universities Pay You to Participate in Paid Research Studies (Near You!)

by Lauren Bennett - Verified & Updated June 6, 2019 (This post may contain affiliate links.)

Well, with paid research studies you can.

There are many universities that pay people, including students and members of the general public to participate in a wide range of studies and surveys .

If you’re looking to make extra money , then you should consider working with one of these universities that offer paid studies near you.

It’s important to keep in mind that just like paid focus groups , some of these studies are in person – so you’ll need to live near, or be able to get to the research lab.

Fortunately, many of these universities also provide online studies.

So, you can participate from home!

The amount you’ll get paid will vary from university to university and from study to study.

And, of course, you might not be eligible for every one of them. Some studies require people from a certain age group or gender – but there are so many available that you’re sure to find one that you are eligible for.

So, check out these universities and start earning more money!

Table of Contents

1. Center for Decision Sciences Columbia Business School

• Where to sign up:  https://vlab.decisionsciences.columbia.edu/registration/

The Center for Decision Sciences Columbia Business School pays you to participate in its online studies and surveys.

Pay is $16 an hour.

And, you must:

• Be a fluent English speaker.
• Have a PayPal account to receive payments, or be able to accept an Amazon.com gift certificate.
• Be at least 18 years old.

2. Northwestern University Department of Psychology

• Where to sign up: https://www.psychology.northwestern.edu/research/participate/paid-research-opportunities.htmlv

The Department of Psychology at Northwestern University offers a huge range of studies that pay .

A few examples of studies available include:

• Study on Learning
• Brain Development
• Neural correlates of Problem Solving

How much you’ll earn varies depending on the study. For example, the Study on learning lasts up to an hour, and pay is $12. The Brain Development study pays from $10 to $40 an hour. And the Neural correlates of Problem Solving study pays $60.

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3. Purdue University

• Where to sign up:  https://www.purdue.edu/newsroom/purduetoday/events/researchers-in-various-studies-looking-for-participants.html

Purdue University is another place that offers a number of different paid research studies.

There are quite a few different studies available, which all have different requirements, and range in pay.

Here are a few examples:

• Tolerance to milk with different types of protein – pay $350
• Almond study – pay $400.
• Memory study – pay $10.

4. Carnegie Mellon University

• Where to sign up:  https://cbdr.cmu.edu/Participate.aspx

The Center for Behavioral and Decision Research at Carnegie Mellon pays people to participate in research studies.

You’ll have to sign up to the participant pool.

There are both in-person and online studies available.

Online studies take from 5 to 20 minutes, and in-person studies take from 10 minutes to 3 hours.

And, study topics include:

• Personal attitudes and beliefs
• Human judgment and decision-making
• Product preferences
• Interpersonal perceptions
• Group performance

Pay, on average, for in person studies is $10 an hour. For online studies pay is $8 an hour, normally in the form of gift cards.

Here are the eligibility requirements for studies:

• Need to be at least 18 years old.
• Must not already have a participant account.
• Cannot participate in any individual study more than once.
• Need to complete a pre-screen form before signing up for studies.
• Must be able to speak and read English.
• Cannot be a graduate student in Psychology, Organizational Behavior, or Marketing.

5. University of Maryland Robert H. Smith School of Business

• Where to sign up:  https://www.rhsmith.umd.edu/faculty-research/behavioral-laboratory/participants/studies-pay

Sometimes the University of Maryland has paid research studies available.

You’ll need to create an account with the lab’s online experiment management system (Sona).

After you’ve created your account, you’ll need to log in and sign up to participate in studies.

The university doesn’t say what the requirements are for studies or how much it pays. But, you can learn more by signing up.

6. MIT Behavioral Research Lab

• Where to sign up:  http://web.mit.edu/brl/

The MIT Behavioral Research Lab pays people to participate in behavioral studies .

Online and in-person studies are available.

You’ll get paid with cash or gift certificates. Plus, you’ll get one entry for a chance to win a $100 Amazon gift card.

The amount you will earn varies from study to study, as do the eligibility requirements.

For all studies, you’ll need to be at least 18 years old. You can view the specific eligibility requirements by looking at the description of the study you’re interested in.

7. Yale School of Management

• Where to sign up:   https://som.yale.edu/faculty-research-centers/centers-initiatives/som-lab/participate-in-studies

Next up on our list is the Yale School of Management. The SOM Lab often conducts survey and lab studies, and you could participate and get paid.

You’ll need to subscribe to the school’s panel and like its Facebook page .

On the Facebook page, you can also find more details of upcoming studies.

Yale doesn’t give details on eligibility or pay on its website, but if you sign up, you can learn more about what’s available.

8. UCLA Anderson School of Management

• Where to sign up:  https://www.anderson.ucla.edu/faculty-and-research/marketing/anderson-behavioral-lab

You can aid researchers at the UCLA Anderson Behavioral Lab in online and in person studies.

There are a variety of study topics, such as:

• Judgment and decision making
• Consumer behavior
• Organizational behavior

UCLA students are eligible to participate in both online and in-lab studies. On the other hand, non-UCLA affiliates are only eligible for online studies.

Most studies pay from $12 to $15 an hour.

9. Harvard University Psychology Study Pool

• Where to sign up:  https://studypool.psychology.fas.harvard.edu/

The Department of Psychology at Harvard University administers the Study Pool. This is an online pool of current research studies that you can participate in.

You’ll get paid $10 to $25 an hour, depending on the study.

And, for participating in online studies, you’ll earn gift cards.

And study credits can be earned by Harvard students who are enrolled in psychology courses that require research participation in the Psychology Study Pool. For studies that pay more than $100, you’ll earn $100.

10.Stanford Graduate School of Business

• Where to sign up:  https://www.gsb.stanford.edu/faculty-research/labs/behavioral-lab/participate-study

You can participate in research studies at the Stanford Graduate School of Business and get paid for it.

There are in-person and online studies available.

You get paid in cash or receive gift cards. Pay averages $25 an hour.

You need to meet the following eligibility requirements:

• Have only one Sona account.
• Cannot participate in the same study more than once.
• You must complete a pre-screen form.
• You cannot participate if you are a graduate student in in psychology, organizational behavior, or marketing.

11. Harvard Business School

• Where to sign up:  https://www.hbs.edu/behave/Pages/participate.aspx

If you meet the following requirements, then you could get paid to participate in research studies for the Harvard Business School:

• You’re a US citizen or permanent resident
• You are 10 years of age or older.
• You’re fluent in English.
• You can use a computer.

Studies generally last from 1 to 2 hours. Payment is $15 to $25, but can be up to $35 after bonuses.

Payments are higher for longer experiments.

12. Georgetown University

• Where to sign up:  https://psychology.georgetown.edu/participate

Georgetown University’s Department of Psychology pays people to participate in studies.

Its research includes a range of topics, like:

• Social behavior
• Cultural differences and similarities
• Stereotyping
• Personality
• Recognition of emotion
• Impulse control

Students and non-students can participate in the research and the university states it’s looking for people from different backgrounds and perspectives.

For the studies, you’ll need to be at least 18 years old.

Pay is generally at least $10 an hour.

13. Vanderbilt University

• Where to sign up:  https://www.vanderbilt.edu/psychological_sciences/research/studies.php

Vanderbilt University pays people to participate in a variety of research studies about Psychological Sciences.

The studies are conducted by faculty, research fellows, graduate students, and undergraduates at the university. Research involves lab experiments and brain imaging studies on aspects of cognition, perception and emotion.

Payment varies.

14. Columbia Business School

• Where to sign up:  https://www8.gsb.columbia.edu/behaviorlab/participants/participate_in_a_study

The Columbia Business School needs people to participate in studies.

You’ll need to provide your opinion on things, like your attitudes about the environment. Sometimes you will interact with other people to discuss topics.

Average pay is $16 an hour, and most studies last 15 to 45 minutes, so pay is generally $5 to $12.

You’ll need to be at least 18 years old to participate.

15. University of Nebraska-Lincoln

• Where to sign up:  http://cb3.unl.edu/current-research-studies/

The University of Nebraska-Lincoln offers a wide range of studies.

These studies are on a range of topics, and pay for each one varies.

For example, at the time of writing, there’s a study available for people over 60 years old. It’s focused on emotions an MRI research and involves you completing tasks and filling out surveys. You can earn up to $80 for this study.

Another study in the Center for Brain, Biology and Behavior takes around 90 minutes. The pay is $20 for one element and $30 for another. Researchers are looking for people aged 19 to 35 years old.

16. The Department of Psychology at Chicago University

• Where to sign up:  https://psychology.uchicago.edu/content/join-study

The Department of Psychology at Chicago University runs a number of psychological research studies. Students, staff members, or members of the community of all ages can participate.

The university posts experiments at various times throughout the semester.

Pay is not specified.

17. University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Psychology

• Where to sign up:  http://www.psychology.illinois.edu/services/subject/paid/

The University of Illinois has a Psychology Paid Subject Pool that gives people the opportunity to receive payment for participating in studies that are conducted by members of the department.

18.  The University of Texas at Austin Department of Psychology

• Where to sign up:  https://liberalarts.utexas.edu/psychology/about/Research-Participation.php

The University of Texas at the Austin Department of Psychology often pays people to participate in research studies.

For example, at the time of writing, there’s a study available for African American and Latino cigarette smokers. It pays $20 for an hour of participation.

There’s also a paid video game study available to right-handed female video game players. You get paid $45 an hour and $138 in total.

19. UC Davis

• Where to sign up: https://ucdavispaid.sona-systems.com/Default.aspx?ReturnUrl=/

UC Davis pays you with money or gift cards for participating in the Psychology Department’s research studies. And, both students and residents in the broader Davis area can participate in these studies.

Some studies are conducted on campus, off-campus in the City of Davis, or in Sacramento.

How much you’ll money you make, and how much you’ll get paid will vary. Some studies pay cash, and others offer gift cards – some are unpaid. So, make sure you check the study description for more information.

20. Arizona State University Department of Psychology

• Where to sign up:  https://psychology.clas.asu.edu/content/research-participation

The Arizona State University Department of Psychology conducts research across its 40+ labs. And, it requires research participants for its studies, many of which pay.

So, this is another university that pays you for participating in research. There are many studies available, on a range of topics, such as memory, cognition, and learning.

21. American University Psychology Department

• Where to sign up:  https://www.american.edu/cas/psychology/bphp/participation.cfm

The Psychology Department at the American University offers a range of paid research opportunities.

Each study varies with the topic and the amount it pays. So check the website to see the specific details for each study.

One study available at the time of writing focuses on the effects of cigarette smoking on behavior. So, you’ll obviously need to be a smoker to participate.

Pay is up to $20.

22. University of Colorado Boulder

• Where to sign up:  https://www.colorado.edu/today/2018/05/07/paid-research-opportunities-cu-boulder

The University of Colorado Boulder has studies available for both students and non-students.

One study available is about collaboration.

To participate you have to:

• Be a student.
• Speak English fluently.
• Have no significant and uncorrected vision impairments.
• Pay in total is $50.

Another study available focuses on the effects of cannabis smoking on the auditory system. You have to be between the ages of 21 to 45, and have been smoking cannabis for at least one year and do not use other recreational drugs. You get paid $15 per hour, for five hours of testing.

Another study is on public speaking and social anxiety – you have to be from 18 to 25 years old. Pay is $32 for the two-part, four-hour study.  And another study about emotion and mood in young adults pays up to $200. You’ll earn $10 an hour in cash.

23. Boston University Behavioral Lab

• Where to sign up:  https://www.bu.edu/behaviorallab/

The Boston University Behavioral Lab assists Questrom-affiliated researchers to conduct stimulations, experiments, and scenarios that will help you to develop new knowledge about management and human behavior.

The lab is looking for people who are interested in participating in its studies. These pay between $10 and $20 an hour. Students at the university and the general public can participate in the research.

24.  University of Maryland Department of Psychology

• Where to sign up:  https://psyc.umd.edu/undergraduate/participating-research

The Department of Psychology at the University of Maryland conducts research.

And, it requires people to participate in these studies.

Pay is not specified, but you’ll need to sign up for opportunities through the SONA System website .

25.  Washington University (St. Louis MO)

• Where to sign up:   https://medicine.wustl.edu/patient-care/clinical-trials/

This is for people in my hometown. If you live in and around St Louis, Wash U has always some kind of paid study going on. For example, currently, they have a few weight loss studies  where you may get paid up to $1500.

They also do a lot of clinical trial studies that pay very good money.

Each study has different requirements. The pay, of course, depends on the study.

Closing Thoughts

As you can see, there are so many universities out there that will pay you to participate in research studies.

By the way, if you’re interested, we have a post with a list of paid clinical trials .

And, what’s great is that for most, you don’t need to have any experience. This is such a simple way to make extra money, and you’re helping out universities with important research.

Plus, for some of these studies, you can complete them online, so you don’t even need to leave your home to earn.

And, making money from home is a wonderful thing!

So, whether you’ve been looking to earn more money to add to your savings, or to pay down debts, or are just looking for some extra spending money, consider participating in paid research studies.

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DEPARTMENT OF PSYCHOLOGY

• Participate in Research Studies

Paid Research Opportunities

The following studies are recruiting participants and pay for your time. Read the descriptions and requirements. If you are interested, email the researcher asking to participate. Information on some studies is also posted on bulletin boards in Swift Hall.

Social Interactions Study

We are seeking young people to participate in a research project at Northwestern University about how the relationships between social networks, personality, and unusual thoughts some people may have fluctuate over a brief period. The goal of this research is to increase understanding of how social interactions influence mental health concerns and/or mental health concerns influence social interactions.

You may be eligible for this study if you are between 12 and 34 years of age. The study would entail coming in for 3 visits each approximately one week apart, and you will be compensated $25 per hour for your participation. During these sessions, you will complete questionnaires about unusual thoughts and experiences, mental health symptoms, and your social network and a brief interview with a researcher about your social life.

If you are interested, please email us at [email protected] , and a member of our team will get back to you shortly.

Principal investigator : Dr. Vijay Mittal

Study Title : ORBITZ

IRB# : STU00203263

Individual Differences in Talker Identification

The SoundBrain Lab is seeking participants for a research study investigating how our brains identify and categorize different talkers/voices.

You may be eligible if:

• You are between 18-35 years old.
• You are a native speaker of English
• You have no experience with Mandarin Chinese.
• You have normal hearing (no hearing loss).
• You have no history of neurological or psychological disorders.
• You can travel to Northwestern’s Evanston campus.

Participation includes:

• Hearing screening
• This measure consists of resting your chin on a cushioned platform fixed to the desk you’re sitting at. You will be instructed to fix your gaze on a computer screen in front of you and respond to various sounds played over headphones.

All measures are non-invasive. Participation requires two 1-hour visits. These visits may be on the same day, separated by at least two hours, or on consecutive days. Participants will be compensated at $15/hour.

 If you are interested, please email [email protected] for more information.

Principal Investigator : Bharath Chandrasekaran, PhD

Study Title : Neural Systems in Auditory and Speech Categorization

IRB# : STU00219433 

Daily Experiences Across Relationships (DEAR) Study

Northwestern’s Relationships and Motivation Lab and University of Chicago’s CEDAR Lab are conducting a 6-month study about people’s life experiences and romantic relationships. This study consists of all online surveys that can be done from home. It involves a quick introductory zoom session with a member of our research team, an hour-long initial survey, 2 weeks of short 5-minute surveys, and three 25-minute follow-up surveys that come 2, 4, and 6 months later. You and your partner can earn up to $120 each for participating ($240 per couple).

You may be eligible if you:

• Have been in a relationship for at least 6-months
• Both of you are at least 25 years old, current US residents, and fluent English-speakers
• Have regular internet access
• Have a romantic partner who is willing to participate

Please contact Erin at [email protected] for more information!

Principle investigator: Eli Finkel

Study Title: Daily Experiences Across Relationships Study

IRB #: STU00219294-MOD0001

Cognitive Architecture of Bilingual Language Processing

The  Bilingualism and Psycholinguistics Research Group  at Northwestern University is looking for  Korean-English bilinguals  for an EEG study on language and cognition. We are interested in how languages are represented in the mind. Electroencephalography (EEG) is a safe and non-invasive neuroimaging technique. We are recording the neural activity at the surface of the scalp as it naturally occurs in the brain. The testing session takes approximately 3 hours to complete. For your time and effort, you will be compensated $15 per hour.

You may be eligible to participate if: 

-You are proficient in Korean and English.

-You are between the ages of 18 and 35.

-You are right-handed.

-You have normal or corrected-to-normal vision (glasses, contacts).

-You have no history of neurologic, cognitive, or psychiatric disorders. 

The study takes place at Northwestern’s Evanston campus at 2240 Campus Drive (Frances Searle Building) in room 3-367. Appointments will be scheduled at a time that is most convenient for you. 

If you are interested, please email Ashley Chung-Fat-Yim at  [email protected]  or give us a call at 847-467-2709.

Principal Investigator:  Dr. Viorica Marian

Study Title:  Cognitive Architecture of Bilingual Language Processing

IRB #:  STU00023477

Can over-the-counter hearing aids help with hearing loss?

The Hearing Aid Laboratory at Northwestern University is looking for participants for a research study about how over-the-counter (OTC) hearing aids impact how we listen and communicate with others. We are looking for adults with known or suspected mild-to-moderate hearing loss to bring a communication partner with them (i.e., spouse, friend, neighbor, adult child, etc.) to have a conversation together while wearing OTC hearing aids.

What to expect:

• The study involves a total of 2 visits to our lab.
• The first visit involves tests of memory, hearing, and communication with a partner for one visit to our lab, lasting approximately 2 hours. We will provide you with a free comprehensive hearing test, and you will be fit with OTC hearing aids during your visit to the lab.
• The second visit involves a test of speech in background noise while wearing OTC hearing aids.

You may be eligible to participate if:

• You have diagnosed or suspected mild to moderate hearing loss in both ears

• You are 18 years or older

• You are able to bring someone with you to your first visit

• You have normal or corrected-to-normal vision (glasses, contacts)

• No history of neurologic, cognitive, or psychiatric disorders

The person you bring to the study with you is eligible if:

• They have no hearing loss, OR wear hearing aids consistently if they have hearing loss

• Are at least 18 years of age

• English is their primary language

• Normal or corrected-to-normal vision (glasses, contacts)

The study takes place in either Northwestern’s main campus at 2240 Campus Drive in Evanston, or at our downtown location at 710 N Lake Shore Drive in Chicago. Visits will be scheduled at the located that is most convenient for you. 

If you are interested, please email us at [email protected]  or give us a call at 847-467-0897.

You can also fill out an initial interest form by clicking here.  

Principal Investigator: Dr. Pamela Souza

Study Title: Investigation of direct-to-consumer hearing aids on conversation efficiency and listening effort

IRB #: STU00217791

Visual Adaptation, Selective Attention, and Shape Coding: An Integrative Investigation of Visual Attention; Understanding the Mechanisms that Control the Dynamics of Perceptual Switches

The laboratories of Dr. Satoru Suzuki and Dr. Marcia Grabowecky are currently seeking healthy adults to participate in research on perception. Studies take place on the Northwestern University Evanston campus. Participants are compensated $15/hour for volunteering. Note: no transportation or parking costs will be covered.

If you are interested in participating, please contact our laboratory by telephone (847) 467-6539, or email for more information: [email protected]  

Once you contact the laboratory, you will be informed of studies in progress and their specific requirements (for example, handedness, age range, gender) and procedures. Typically, studies involve responding to images or sounds presented by a computer and last from 1-2 hours. Some studies also require responding to personality or mood questionnaires, or having physiological responses recorded (for example, brain waves or eye movements). The details of the particular study will be provided when you contact the laboratory. If you are interested in volunteering and you qualify to participate in any ongoing studies, an appointment will be scheduled.

Principal Investigators: Dr. Satoru Suzuki and Dr. Marcia Grabowecky

Study Title: Visual Adaptation, Selective Attention, and Shape Coding: An Integrative Investigation of Visual Attention; Understanding the Mechanisms that Control the Dynamics of Perceptual Switches 

IRB #: CR1_STU00013229 

Psychosis Risk Outcomes Network Study

We are seeking young people who are concerned about recent changes in mood, thinking or behavior. This research project aims to increase understanding of mental health concerns in young people and how to prevent the development of a more serious mental illness such as psychosis.

You may be eligible for the study if you meet any of the following criteria:

• Ages 12 - 30
• Noticing a recent change in thinking, behavior, or experiences, such as:
• Confusion about what is real or imaginary
• Feeling not in control of your own thoughts of ideas
• Feeling suspicious or paranoid
• Having experiences that may not be real, such as hearing sounds or seeing things that may not be there
• Having trouble communicating clearly

The study would entail visits over a 2-year period, and you would be paid $30 per hour for your participation.  Eligible participants will be asked to come in for various assessments including:

• clinical interviews
• biological assessments (MRI & EEG brain scans; blood and saliva testing)
• cognitive testing

If you are interested, please email us at [email protected]  or fill out this online eligibility survey , and a member of our team will get back to you shortly.

Principal investigator: Dr. Vijay Mittal Study Title: ProNET IRB #: STU00215145

Good at sleeping?

The Cognitive Neuroscience Lab in the Department of Psychology at Northwestern is recruiting volunteers to participate in sleep research ( STU00034353 )

 Compensation is provided for studies ($12.50/hr)

You can participate in Chicago or at our sleep lab on the Evanston campus.

 To sign up and learn more about the The Paller Lab, visit:    www.northwestern.edu/people/kap/apply  

Principal Investigator: Dr. Ken Paller

Study Title: Strategically strengthening declarative memories during sleep: Learning, Creative Problem-Solving, REM Sleep, and Dreaming

IRB# STU00034353-MOD0044

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Announcements

Seeking volunteers for paid research study.

We are seeking volunteers for a paid research study evaluating thoughts and daily experiences with interviews, questionnaires, phone surveys, and an fMRI scan. The study will consist of two study visits.

You will be paid up to $220 for your participation if you do not transport yourself to and from Visit 2, or up to $255 for your participation if you transport yourself to and from Visit 2.

To participate in this study, you must be:

• 18-60 years old
• Free of any non-removable metal
• Not claustrophobic
• No history of serious mental illness
• No current psychiatric diagnosis

Research activities will take place at the University of Maryland, College Park (UMCP) or 737 W. Lombard St., fifth floor, in Baltimore; MRI scans will take place at UMCP.

This research study is conducted under Melanie Bennett, PhD, Department of Psychiatry, University of Maryland School of Medicine.

If you or someone you know would like to learn more, please respond by email to Rebecca Welsh at [email protected] with your name and phone number and time(s) to reach you or call 410-706-5374.

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General Aviation News

Because flying is cool

FAA to pay pilots for research study at Oshkosh

By General Aviation News Staff · June 25, 2024 · 2 Comments

The FAA is recruiting pilots attending EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2024 for a paid research study.

Eligible pilots who participate will receive a prepaid gift card between $300 and $500 (dependent upon current medical privileges at time of participation) on the day of the study.

To be eligible for the study, pilots must have flown or logged simulator time at least once in the last six months.

For pilots with an FAA Class III medical certificate, the FAA is recruiting approximately 160 pilots who are at least 25 years old.

For pilots with an FAA Class I or II medical certificate, it is recruiting approximately 14 pilots who are at least 60 years old.

Participation takes approximately four hours (including breaks) and involves completing two computerized cognitive tests related to tasks such as working memory, attention, mental rotation, and multitasking performance.

The purpose of the study is to obtain pilot normative data for these computerized tests, which are used by the FAA to help recertify pilots for flying following a medical event, such as a stroke, head injury, or being prescribed certain medications.

“The results of this study will help ensure that aeromedical decision-making is based on the most current scientific data and will contribute to the safety of the national airspace system,” FAA officials said.

More information is available on the FAA Cognitive Test PAID Study (CogStudy) FAQs page .

If you would like to participate, complete the CogStudy Interest Form here .

If you are eligible, you will receive a follow-up phone call or email from a third-party contractor, Cherokee Federal, to confirm your participation.

For more information: [email protected] or 405-954-2647

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60 SEO Statistics For 2024

Updated: Nov 28, 2023, 2:48pm

Table of Contents

Key seo statistics in 2024, search engine statistics, keyword statistics, ranking statistics, link building statistics, video search statistics, mobile seo statistics, voice search statistics, local seo statistics, seo industry statistics.

As a small business owner, SEO should be top of mind. This is particularly true if you’re on a budget and don’t want to spend thousands of dollars on paid ads. SEO can improve your website’s visibility and in turn, increase conversions and sales.

With a solid SEO strategy, you may also build brand awareness and trust with current and prospective customers. Whether you’re new to SEO, working with a third-party SEO service , or consider yourself a seasoned vet, these SEO statistics will provide some insight into the current state of the industry and how it might change in the future.

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Organic clicks accounted for 45.1% of all search result clicks in 2022

Out of the total search engine clicks on desktop devices, 45.1% came from organic clicks 6 . This shows that users are more likely to trust organic search results than those that come from other sources, such as paid ads. By taking advantage of SEO, you can win more traffic.

26% of searches resulted in no clicks

Not every search leads a user to a third-party website from an organic search result. In fact, 26% of searches resulted in zero clicks 6 . These zero-click searches were likely informational queries rather than commercial queries with high purchase intent. Users may find the information they’re looking for directly on the search results page and therefore have no reason to click through to any website.

Less than 1% of users get to the second page of search results

When users search for something, they don’t want to dig for the information they’re looking for. That’s why it’s no surprise that only 0.44% of Google search users visit second-page results 12 . To succeed online, it’s essential that your website ranks on page one for as many relevant keywords as possible.

The first organic result in a search results page has an average click-through rate of 27.6%

Click-through rate (CTR) shows how often users who see your organic search result actually click through to your web page. Page one results have an average click-through rate of 27.6%, compared to page two results, which have a much lower average rate of 15.8% 12 . The higher your web page ranks, the more clicks you’re likely to receive.

Building credibility is the main benefit of SEO

No matter what products or services you sell or how long you’ve been in business, credibility is important 6 .  If users trust your brand, they’ll feel more confident buying from you. A strong SEO strategy can also position you as a trustworthy leader in your industry and help you stand out from your competitors.

SEOs say their biggest challenges are lack of resources and strategy issues

It’s not easy to succeed in SEO, especially if you’re struggling with your strategy and/or don’t have the resources to design and implement it. Fortunately, you can take SEO courses to expand your knowledge and skills. Another option is to outsource SEO to the pros so you can focus on other, big-picture tasks, such as growing your business.

SEOs say that the biggest shifts in the industry are AI and Google updates

When asked about the “biggest shifts” and industry changes in SEO, 18.7% of respondents said machine learning and artificial intelligence while 18% said Google updates 1 . Since SEO is ever-evolving, it’s important to stay up to date on the latest changes so you can adjust your strategy accordingly.

Google’s algorithm has over 200 factors

Google considers more than 200 signals or clues when it determines its search engine rankings 10 . Penguin, which was created in 2012, is one of these signals. It helps reduce the presence of sites that use black hat SEO techniques. Other factors include domain age, keyword usage, content length, duplicate content, grammar and mobile usability.

Over 90% of searches worldwide happen on Google

While Google is not the only search engine out there, it’s where you should focus your SEO efforts as it has 90.68% of the search engine market share 17 . Once you’re pleased with how you’re ranking in Google, you can expand your efforts to other search engines, such as Bing, Yahoo, Naver and DuckDuckGo.

Google also owns almost 94% of market share for mobile search

When it comes to mobile search market share, Google takes the cake as well. Out of all the mobile searches that occur, 93.77% are on Google 17 . This reinforces the importance of ensuring your website is SEO-friendly on mobile devices. It should look great and be easy to navigate on iOS and Android.

The second and third most used search engines worldwide are Yahoo and Bing with 3.23% and 3.17% market shares, respectively

Google is the most popular search engine and Yahoo and Bing are right behind it 17 . Since Google is blocked in some countries such as China, it might make sense to focus on Yahoo and Bing as well. Just keep in mind that these search engines have different algorithms than Google so your strategy might need to change.

In the past five years, Google has done approximately 36 major algorithm updates

Google updates its algorithm often to improve search quality and keep digital marketers on their toes. In fact, the search engine completed 36 algorithms between September 2018 and September 2023 18 . Thirteen of these updates were considered core updates. As a business owner who uses SEO, it’s your job to familiarize yourself with these updates as they come out.

The average internet user conducts three to four searches per day on search engines

Searching on Google is an everyday activity, just like taking a shower and brushing your teeth. On average, a Google user performs three to four searches per day 12 . It’s how they get answers to their questions and find solutions to their problems.

The most Google traffic comes from the United States, India and Brazil

People from around the world depend on Google search. Research shows that 27.03% of its traffic comes from the United States, followed by India (4.46%) and Brazil (4.41%) 2 . If you sell to customers abroad, make sure most of your content targets the U.S. market.

Google has over 8.5 billion searches per day worldwide

Believe it or not, Google runs around 99,000 search queries per second. This adds up to 8.5 billion searches per day in every part of the world 8 . If your website isn’t optimized for organic Google search, you’re missing out and need to design an SEO strategy as soon as possible.

About 95% of keywords have a volume of 10 or less searches per month

Keywords are words or phrases users type into search engines to find the content they’re looking for. Not all keywords are popular as 95% of all keywords have 10 or fewer searches per month 13 . A keyword research tool can give you some insight on what these keywords are in your industry so you know where to focus your SEO efforts.

15% of searches are brand new searches that have never been searched before by Google

You can find out which relevant keywords were searched for in the past. However, 15% of searches that Google sees every day are brand new 10 . This means the search engine constantly has to work to ensure users receive the best content for their queries.

There are more than 19,000 keywords with over 100,000 monthly search volume in the U.S.

There are 19,881 high-volume keywords with more than 100,000 monthly searches in the U.S 13 . You should identify what these keywords are so you can tailor your content around them. However, don’t forget to target uncommon or rare keywords as well. While higher-volume keywords can attract a wider audience, lower-volume keywords are easier to rank for.

Google’s Keyword Planner can overestimate keyword volumes by as much as 91%

Google Keyword Planner is a free tool you can use to learn about keywords related to your business and their search volumes. If you do take advantage of it, keep in mind that the search volumes it reveals are not 100% accurate. The tool can overestimate keyword impressions by up to 91% 19 .

14.1% of all keywords are phrased as a question

It’s not uncommon for users to use words such as “how,” “what,” “where” and “who” while searching as 14% of all keywords are questions 12 . By using questions in your content, you can build trust and draw in highly relevant traffic. When you create content for question keywords, keep things clear and concise, use bullet points and numbers, and add supportive images.

The most searched keywords on Google are ‘youtube,’ ‘facebook’ and ‘whatsapp web’

Social media and communication sites including “YouTube,” “Facebook” and “WhatsApp Web” are the most popular keywords users search for in Google 6 . Their volumes are 1,200,000,000, 867,000,000 and 543,300,000, respectively. This highlights the power of using social media in your digital marketing strategy.

According to experts, the most important ranking factors in 2023 are quality content, backlinks and search intent/relevance

SEO experts believe that the keys to ranking high in search engines in 2023 are quality content, backlinks and search intent or relevance 20 . Therefore, you should prioritize these factors as you develop and implement your SEO strategy.

Google rewrites the title 61% of the time while rewriting the description about 63% of the time

Each web page has a meta title and meta description that inform search engines what they’re about. The titles and descriptions you write are not set in stone as Google rewrites 61% of titles 13 and 62.78% of descriptions 1 . To write quality metadata, use the right keywords and be conversational.

The most common types of featured snippets are paragraphs (82%) and lists (11%)

Featured snippets are short excerpts of text that show up at the top of Google’s search results to quickly answer a user’s question. Most of these snippets are in paragraph form (81.95%) while the rest are in list form (10.77%) 1 . To increase your chances of ranking for a featured snippet, write content that answers questions, add a table of contents with anchor links and insert an FAQ section.

The average ‘age’ of top result pages is 2.6 years old

Unfortunately, high search engine rankings don’t happen overnight. On average, pages that are at the top of search results are 2.6 years old 13 . With patience and hard work, you can slowly but surely watch your pages jump up in rankings.

Click-through rates decline at an average of 32.3% for each position on the first page

There’s no denying that earning a spot at the top of search engine results takes hard work. However, this hard work is often worth it when you consider that the higher you rank, the more likely users are to click through to your web page. The average click-through rate for the number one spot is 27%, compared to the 2.4% click-through rate at the number 10 spot 12 .

Over 90% of pages never get organic traffic

In a perfect world, all of your pages would rank organically. The reality, however, is that more than 90% of pages never do 13 . To make sure your pages are not part of this statistic, create original, high-quality content, build backlinks to authoritative websites, and ensure they’re indexed.

The top-ranked search results typically have 3.8 times more backlinks than lower-ranked results

Backlinks are essentially votes that tell Google your web page is valuable and informative. They’re important to build as the top-ranked search results usually have 3.8 more backlinks than results in spots two through 10 12 . To build backlinks, reclaim unlinked mentions, try to earn a spot on “Best X” lists, reach out to journalists, become a source for other publishers and update old content.

About 95% of pages have no backlinks at all

Despite the fact that backlinks are essential if you want your pages to rank well, 95% of all web pages don’t have them 12 . Be a part of the 5% of pages with high-quality backlinks that lead to excellent search engine rankings. If you don’t have the time or knowledge to do so, don’t be afraid to consult an SEO professional.

In 2022, backlinks had an average cost of $361.44

Top-quality backlinks from highly authoritative sites with high domain authorities (DAs) do not come cheap. In 2022, they were an average of $361.44 13 . The price you might pay for a backlink will likely depend on DA, content quality, domain quality, top relevance, organic traffic and the country or language.

Long-form content receives 77% more links than short-form content

It can take a lot more time and effort to write a long blog post than a short blog post. However, the extra time commitment can pay off. Data shows that longer content with 3,000 or more words received 77.2% more links than shorter content with 1,000 or fewer words 12 .

The top link-building strategy in 2022 according to experts was to publish link-worthy content

Content is king, especially if you want to build quality backlinks that improve your SEO. Experts in the field believed that in 2022, content was the key to link-building success 1 . The content you create should be relevant, engaging and useful to your particular target audience. Don’t forget to make sure it’s 100% original.

26% of searches include a video in the results

According to research from BrightEdge, 26% of search results have a video thumbnail. 21 If you’re wondering if it’s worth it to add videos to your web pages, the answer is likely “yes.” Videos can help you stand out and get noticed by Google.

Videos have a 41% higher CTR than plain text results

Video content can make it easier and faster for your audience to get the information they’re looking for. That’s why it’s no surprise videos have a 41% higher click-through rate than text-filled pages 22 . If you’ve done everything you can but your page isn’t ranking as well as you’d like it to, add a video.

Mobile users are 12.5 times more likely to see organic image results and three times more likely to see organic video results

If you’re investing in videos and images for your website, make sure they’re optimized for mobile. Here’s why: mobile users saw 12.5 times more images and three times more videos in organic search 6 .

HD videos rank higher than lower-quality videos

High-definition, or HD, videos offer higher resolution and quality than standard-definition videos. Therefore, YouTube chose to highlight them 18 . Not only will poor-quality videos frustrate your users, they can also lead to lost views and subscribers. In addition, you may receive dislikes. If possible, put in the extra effort and turn your videos into HD videos.

63% of searches are conducted on a mobile device in the U.S.

Mobile devices made up 63% of organic search engine visits in the U.S., as of the fourth quarter of 2021 2 . To make sure your website is optimized for mobile search, use a responsive design, simplify your navigation, eliminate pop-ups and keep all content short and concise. Don’t forget to improve page speed as well.

58% of searches are conducted on a mobile device, globally

If you serve customers abroad, you should know that 58.33% of global organic search visits were conducted on mobile devices, as of the first quarter of 2023 2 . Therefore, it’s important that your website accommodates mobile search as well as an international audience.

Mobile users conduct about 4.96 billion searches per day worldwide

Every day, there are 4.96 billion mobile searches performed across the globe 2 . When you design your website for the global mobile market, remember to limit scrolling, add large, mobile-friendly buttons and ensure a clean, efficient design.

57% of local searches come from a mobile device and tablet

When users are out and about looking for a product or service in their local area, they’re likely to use their mobile devices to find it. In fact, 57% of all local searches are made on mobile devices and tablets 3 . This means your website should be compatible on mobile devices and tailor to local audiences.

Appearing first for a mobile search doesn’t mean you’ll appear in first position on a desktop search

It can be exciting to earn the number one spot on mobile search engine results pages (SERPs). However, that doesn’t mean you’ll be number one on desktop SERPs as well. Only 17% of websites kept their positions across both mobile and desktop SERPs. In addition, 37% lost their spots when searches came from mobile 6 .

20% of Google App searches are conducted by voice

Voice search allows users to speak to a mobile or desktop device to conduct a Google search. It can come in handy when they have their hands full or are on the go. Of all the searches in the Google App, 20% of them are performed by voice 10 .

50% of U.S. consumers use voice search every day

These days, voice search is more popular than ever before. In fact, half of all U.S. customers use it on a daily basis 4 . To ensure your website supports voice search and captures this audience, target question keywords and other long-tailed keywords, prioritize local SEO, use schema makeup and optimize speed.

Over 1 billion voice searches are conducted every month

Users perform over 1 billion voice searches every month 6 . If you’re not investing in voice search optimization, you’re missing out. As you tweak your website to meet the needs of those who use voice search, think about your audience’s voice search behavior and how you can create content that aligns with their intent.

Voice searches are longer than text-based searches, on average

It’s easier to say a long word or phrase than to type it. That’s why voice searches tend to be longer than text-based searches 8 . By using long-tailed keywords that are relevant to your business and target audience, you can cater to voice search users.

70% of voice search results pull from ‘Featured Snippets’ and ‘People Also Ask’

While Featured Snippets are highlighted text excerpts that appear at the top of a Google search results page, People Also Ask is a feature that shows users additional content and answers related to their search query. Featured Snippets and People Also Ask account for 70% of voice search results 6 .

Experts forecast that by 2024, voice search queries will increase to 2 billion per month

There’s a good chance voice search will continue to grow in popularity. SEO experts predict that the number of monthly voice search queries will increase from 1 billion to 2 billion in 2024. If you haven’t optimized your site for voice, now is the time to do so 24 .

The top voice assistants are Amazon, Google and Apple, with 69%, 25% and 5% market share in 2021, respectively

Voice assistants are programs that allow users to perform voice searches. As of June 2021, the leading voice assistant is Amazon (69%), followed by Google (25%) and Apple (5%). As long as your site accommodates voice search, it can reach users, no matter which voice assistant they choose to use 7 .

46% of all Google searches are local

Local SEO targets customers in a specific city, region or neighborhood. When you consider the fact that almost half of all Google searches have local intent, you’ll want to ensure local SEO is part of your overall SEO strategy, especially if you sell to customers in certain geographic areas 8 .

50% of smartphone users visited a store within a day of their local search

If your goal is to get customers in the door as soon as possible, local search is essential. Half of all smartphone users who perform a local search went to a store they found through it within a day 10 .

Four in five people use search engines for local queries

The popularity of local queries is significant. Four out of five people use search engines to meet a need they have in their local area 10 . To optimize your website for local search, claim your Google Business Profile listing, add your business to local directories, create content with local search terms and add schema markup.

‘Open now near me’ searches have increased by 400%

Customers don’t want to wait long to go to a business and buy what they need. That’s why they often search “open now near me.” These searches have gone up by 400% from September 2019 to August 2020 and September 2020 to August 2021 10 . By claiming your Google Business Profile listing and adding your hours, you can take advantage of this trend.

18% of local searches lead to a purchase within 24 hours

If you’d like to convert users while your product or service is fresh in their minds, local search is key. Compared to 7% of non-local searches, 18% of local smartphone searches resulted in a purchase within a day 10 .

42% of local searchers click into map pack results

Google Maps Pack is a set of three Google Maps search results that usually appear when users perform local searches for businesses. Earning a spot on the Google Maps Pack can do wonders for your business as 42% of local searchers click on these results 12 . To increase your chances of becoming a Google Maps Pack result, claim your Google Business Profile listing, generate more online reviews and build citations.

Almost 64% of customers are likely to read Google reviews before visiting a local business

Don’t underestimate the power of Google reviews as 63.6% of customers will read them before they stop into a local business 11 . To get more Google reviews, provide excellent customer service, add review links to your website and emails, and simply ask for reviews from current and former customers.

The average SEO budget for a small business is almost $500 per month

You don’t have to spend thousands upon thousands of dollars on SEO. On average, a small business budget is $497.16 per month 12 . You can always increase your budget as you see results and earn more revenue.

SEO agencies charge an average of over $3,200 per month

If you don’t have the in-house time or expertise to focus on SEO, you might consider an agency. However, keep in mind that SEO agencies can be pricey. You can expect to pay an average of $3,209 per month for their services 13 .

SEO roles are projected to grow by 22% between 2020 and 2030

SEO specialists can work for digital marketing agencies or in-house marketing departments. The demand for these types of professionals is forecasted to increase by 22% between 2020 and 2030 14 . Depending on your budget and goals, you might want to hire an SEO specialist to assist with your SEO strategy.

The SEO industry is forecasted to be worth almost $218 billion by 2030

Rest assured SEO isn’t going anywhere anytime soon. By 2030, the SEO services market is predicted to grow to $217,846 15 . As a small business, SEO should be a part of your overall marketing plan today, tomorrow and years down the road.

52% of business leaders develop content with the help of AI

Content marketing, which focuses on creating useful and informative content can lead to better SEO results. Thanks to the rise in AI content generation tools, you can simplify your content marketing efforts, just like 52% of business leaders who are currently doing so 16 .

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Anna Baluch is a freelance writer from Cleveland, Ohio. She enjoys writing about a variety of health and personal finance topics. When she's away from her laptop, she can be found working out, trying new restaurants, and spending time with her family. Connect to her on LinkedIn.

Popular weight loss drug may help treat severe sleep apnea, new research finds

A popular obesity drug may help treat a dangerous disorder in which people struggle to breathe while they sleep,  a new study  finds.

Tirzepatide, the medication in the weight loss drug Zepbound and also the diabetes treatment Mounjaro, appeared to reduce the severity of sleep apnea along with reducing weight and improving blood pressure and other health measures in patients with obesity who took the drug for a year.

Eli Lilly and Co., the drug’s maker who paid for the research, has asked the Food and Drug Administration to expand use of the drug to treat moderate to severe sleep apnea, in which people stop and start breathing during sleep, a spokesperson said Friday. A decision is expected by the end of the year.

But an outside expert cautioned  in an editorial  that more research will be needed to tell if the drug can be used as “a sole treatment” for obstructive sleep apnea, which occurs when tissue in the throat relaxes and collapses during sleep, fully or partially blocking the airway. It affects an estimated 20 million Americans and can cause short-term issues such as snoring, brain fog and daytime sleepiness but also severe long-term issues such as heart disease, dementia and early death.

The research, published Friday in the New England Journal of Medicine and presented at a medical meeting, included nearly 500 people diagnosed with obesity and sleep apnea. Half of them used what’s typically known as a CPAP machine that feeds oxygen through a mask to keep airways open during sleep. The other group included people for whom a CPAP machine had failed or wasn’t tolerated.

The study found that patients in both groups who got weekly injections of tirzepatide reduced the number of episodes per hour in which their breathing slowed or stopped completely during sleep by about half to nearly 60%, compared to about 10% in people who got a dummy drug

On average, patients who took tirzepatide also lost between 18% and 20% of their body weight and showed improvements in blood pressure and a condition in which blood oxygen drops during sleep. Patients also reported better sleep and fewer sleep disturbances, the study found.

The new research shows that tirzepatide is “a more effective knife in the drawer,” for treating sleep apnea, said lead author Dr. Atul Malhotra, a sleep medicine specialist at the University of California, San Diego.

In an accompanying editorial, Dr. Sanjay Patel, a sleep medicine specialist at the University of Pittsburgh, cautioned that whether tirzepatide can treat sleep apnea in real-world patients “remains unclear” because of the way improvement is measured. He also noted that cost and access remain obstacles to using tirzepatide and that the addition of the drug as a treatment could exacerbate racial and other disparities in addressing sleep apnea.

Dr. Paul Peppard, a sleep medicine researcher at the University of Wisconsin who was not involved in the study, said losing weight has long been recommended as a way to reduce the severity of sleep apnea by expanding lung capacity, reducing fat in the airways and improving oxygen usage. While diet and exercise can spur weight loss and reduce the consequences of the disorder, the ongoing obesity epidemic in the U.S. proves that shedding pounds is difficult for many people, he said. In such cases, medications such as tirzepatide can help.

“I expect that these drugs could be used a a tool to treat many of the established outcomes of obesity,” Peppard said.

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Protecting health and care workers’ mental health and well-being: Technical Consultation Meeting

High levels of stress, burnout, absence from work and strikes affecting the health and care workforce are a symptom of the current state of health systems. These are normal reactions in the face of staff shortages, low pay, inadequate and unsafe working conditions, extraordinarily stressful environments and a lack of needed workplace safeguards [KC1]  . At least a quarter of health and care workers reported anxiety, depression and burnout symptoms between January 2020 and April 2022. No significant reductions have been observed since 2022.

Expanding upon knowledge to address this threat to health systems, the WHO Health Workforce department organized a 26 April technical consultation on Protecting health and care workers’ mental health and well-being  in Leuven, Belgium. Health workers affected by burnout testified to their personal experiences, and experts exchanged evidence-based tools, research, guidelines, good practices and opportunities for alignment across existing national, regional and global initiatives.

Globally, health and care workers are raising their voices on how workplace demands and resource gaps are impacting their mental health and well-being. During the technical consultation, Corey Feist, Chief Executive Officer of the Dr Lorna Breen Heroes Foundation, called to mind his sister-in-law Dr Lorna Breen, a New York City emergency room physician who died by suicide exactly at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. The landmark 2022 Dr Lorna Breen Health Care Provider Protection Act in the United States  supporting health workers’ mental health and well-being has funded $103 million across 44 organizations to implement evidence-informed strategies that reduce and prevent suicide, burnout, mental health conditions, and substance use disorders.

“ Particularly following the COVID-19 pandemic, there is a moral obligation to address the long-standing crisis of burnout, exhaustion, and moral injury across the health sector by protecting decent work, improving the practice environment and tackling the root causes of mental health problems in our workforce, ” stated Jim Campbell, WHO Health Workforce Director. Experts contributing to the consultation agreed that urgent collective action to address health system factors that lead to stress and burnout in the workforce is essential.

The technical consultation builds upon national policy actions like the Dr Lorna Breen Act, regional initiatives, cross-border studies that document evidence on the impact of organizational level change; and the Global health and care worker compact requested and approved by countries through the World Health Assembly. Application of these recommendations within health systems and with appropriate policy action remains a challenge in most countries

The expert consultation is part of a strategic partnership with the World Innovation Summit for Health (WISH) that focuses on operationalizing the recommendations of Our duty of care: a global call to action to protect the mental health of health and care workers . Demonstration sites have been launched at the health facility level in Spain and Qatar to apply evidence-based interventions and address organizational level changes to better protect and support health and care workers.

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Senators push Medicare for a PET scan pay bump

By Sarah Owermohle June 25, 2024

You’re reading the web edition of D.C. Diagnosis, STAT’s twice-weekly newsletter about the politics and policy of health and medicine.  Sign up here  to receive it in your inbox on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

Exclusive: Senators ask Medicare for a pay bump for drugs used with PET scans

Sen. Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) is leading a bipartisan group of senators to ask Medicare officials to bump payment for drugs paired with diagnostic scans that are used for, among other things, assessing patients’ eligibility for a new class of Alzheimer’s drugs, my co-author Rachel Cohrs Zhang reports.

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Medicare last year relaxed restrictions that limited Medicare patients to one PET scan in their lifetimes, and only in the context of a clinical trial. Now, the group of 15 senators including Sens. Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.), Susan Collins (R-Maine), Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.V.), Joe Manchin (D-W.V.) and Maggie Hasssan (D-N.H.), is asking Medicare to pay for the drugs used with the scans separately, instead of having them bundled in with other services.

If Medicare goes along with the plan, it would likely be a boon for health care providers. A government watchdog found in March 2021 that when providers were paid separately for Eli Lilly’s radiopharmaceutical drug, they were paid significantly more than when payments were packaged.

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Next steps in the PrEP fight

A federal appeals court on Friday largely maintained the status quo in a contentious fight over whether federal panels can require insurers to cover certain preventive care without cost to patients (they can, for now). Lawyers and public health advocates who spoke to STAT described it as a “pleasant surprise” and a “reprieve,” especially for sexual health services. But in the next breath, many also expressed concern about the next steps in the legal fight.

The case, Braidwood Management v. Becerra, questioned whether one advisory group, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force, had the authority to require insurers to cover PrEP, a medicine that minimizes the risk of HIV transmission. The suit came from a Christian-owned wellness business and six individual Texans who all argued the requirement violated their religious beliefs. But a ruling against USPSTF could threaten any decision the panel has made since 2010, including no out-of-pocket payments for cancer screenings and statins.

And though the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals opted out of challenging the panel’s authority, the judges laid a roadmap for how objectors could lay a better foundation for a future case, legal experts told STAT.

This challenge is “part of a broader campaign by the conservative legal establishment to place real limits on the power and scope of the federal administrative state,” said Nicholas Bagley, a University of Michigan law professor and former legal counsel to Michigan Democratic Gov. Gretchen Whitmer. “That campaign includes a lot of different things, like the Chevron Doctrine.”

Chevron — a longtime legal deference to federal agencies on their industry regulations — is also in jeopardy with a Supreme Court decision that could land as early as this week. (Thoughts about that? Hit my email.)

House panel weighs weight loss drug coverage

The Ways and Means Committee is exploring a vote on scaled-back versions of two major health care bills that would expand Medicare’s coverage of cancer screening tests and hugely popular weight loss drugs , five sources familiar with the planning told STAT’s Rachel Cohrs Zhang and John Wilkerson.

Full Medicare coverage for both items has broad bipartisan support, but the expansion has been hampered by the likely exorbitant price tags to the federal government, Rachel and John write. If the panel is able to scale back the measures to a more palatable price point, it could increase their chance of passage.

On the table are the Treat and Reduce Obesity Act, which would allow Medicare to cover obesity drugs, and the Nancy Gardner Sewell Medicare Multi-Cancer Early Detection Screening Coverage Act, which would allow Medicare to cover multi-cancer blood tests to screen healthy people for cancer. Read more on the state of play.

The Harvard researcher telehealth lobbyists love to hate

Ateev Mehrotra is the telehealth industry’s chief critic — determined to warn congressional committees that the booming business comes with tradeoffs .

But as Washington takes a hard look at telehealth and its impact on Medicare spending, his opinions have not always endeared him to advocates, STAT’s Mohana Ravindranth writes.

Telehealth lobbyists agree that his research is high quality. They would prefer, though, that he investigate any other topic instead of obsessively poking holes in the picture they’re painting for Congress: that paying for telehealth, both video and audio calls, could unequivocally improve the health of millions of Americans who don’t get adequate care today, especially rural and older patients, and that it would be cost-neutral or even save money. Read Mohana’s in-depth reporting on Mehrotra’s case and why it is riling the industry .

SCOTUS to hear arguments on gender-affirming care

The Supreme Court on Monday agreed to hear an appeal from the Biden administration over a state ban on gender-affirming care for minors.

While there has been a slew of state restrictions on gender-affirming care, bathroom access and sports participation, the case SCOTUS picked up has to do with a Tennessee law that restricts puberty blockers and hormone therapy for transgender minors. A federal appeals court allowed the law to take effect after it’d been blocked by lower courts.

The case has attracted widespread attention, as now half of U.S. states ban or restrict transgender care for minors in some form. SCOTUS will hear arguments this fall.

What we’re reading

Surgeon general declares gun violence a public health crisis, STAT

Mark Kelly and Gabby Giffords on their IVF Journey: ‘Freedom to start a family Is under threat,’ People

Infant deaths increased after Texas banned abortion in early pregnancy, STAT

Bird flu snapshot: USDA secretary urges farmers to take protective measures, STAT

About the Author Reprints

Sarah owermohle.

Washington Correspondent

Sarah Owermohle reports on the administration’s health care initiatives, federal health policy, and its intersection with politics and the courts. She joined STAT in 2022 after covering health policy at Politico. She is also the co-author of the free, twice-weekly D.C. Diagnosis newsletter .

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