How much do paid research studies actually pay?
Most guides quote a vague “$50 to $300.” We wanted the real numbers, so we analyzed 334 active paid research studies aggregated on StudySnag as of July 2026 and pulled the payouts apart by study type and format. Here’s what the data shows.
The typical study pays $110
Across all 334 studies, the median payout is $110 and the average is $164 — pulled up by a small number of very high-paying clinical trials. Half of all studies pay between $75 and $150. Here’s the full distribution:
Number of studies in each payout band (n = 334).
In-person studies pay 3.5× more than online
Format is the single biggest lever on pay. Online studies — the bulk of what’s available — pay a median of $100. In-person studies, which are rarer and ask more of your time, pay a median of $350: three and a half times as much.
Pay by study type
Clinical trials are in a category of their own — a median of $1,300, and up to $3,000 for longer commitments. Among the everyday formats, focus groups and diary studies pay the most; quick app installs pay the least.
| Study type | Studies | Median pay | Top pay |
|---|---|---|---|
| Clinical trials | 9 | $1,300 | $3,000 |
| Focus groups | 37 | $150 | $450 |
| Diary studies | 5 | $150 | $495 |
| Interviews | 193 | $120 | $500 |
| Online surveys | 15 | $120 | $200 |
| Unmoderated studies | 60 | $75 | $300 |
| App / product installs | 14 | $14 | $60 |
Cite this data
You’re welcome to reference these figures with a link back. Suggested citation: “StudySnag, Paid Research Study Pay Report (July 2026), based on 334 active studies” — https://www.studysnag.com/paid-research-study-pay-report
Methodology
Figures are a point-in-time snapshot of 334 paid research studies with a stated payout, aggregated on StudySnag as of July 2026, across focus groups, interviews, online surveys, product tests, diary studies, and clinical trials. “Median” is the middle value (less skewed by outliers than the average). Individual payouts are set by the research providers and vary over time; always check the stated payout on each study before registering. We refresh this analysis periodically.
Related: our hourly-pay report (median $120/hour), and our practical guides on how much paid studies pay and how to get paid for research studies.