Focus Groups are hands down my personal favorite way to earn extra money on the side. Participate in a video call or sit in person around a table with a few other people to discuss a product, service, or idea is mentally and financially stimulating. The Fieldwork focus group experience typically follows this professional model. It’s one of the best hourly rates of any gig on this site and we’d give it 4 stars if our system allowed. Learn more about why we are smitten in our review that follows.
Quick Facts
| Platform Name | Fieldwork |
| Earning Potential | $75+ per session |
| Typical Duration | 1 to 2 hours for most sessions |
| Payment Frequency | Paid at session completion |
| Required Equipment | Computer for remote focus groups |
What’s Inside
- Is Fieldwork real and safe?
- How hard is it to sign up?
- Can I do this whenever I want?
- How much money can you really make?
- When and how do you get paid?
- What stuff do you need to start?
- Is the work easy or hard?
- The Pros and Cons of Fieldwork
- Final Verdict: Is Fieldwork worth your time?
- Frequently Asked Questions
Is Fieldwork real and safe?
Fieldwork has been in business since 1980 and is one of the most established market research firms in the United States, known specifically for focus groups. The company states that your personal information is never shared with the companies whose products you discuss. Rather, your responses go into aggregate research data.
How hard is it to sign up?
The onboarding process is quite easy. When you start the process you will select the facility nearest to your city (like Chicago, NY, etc.) and then fill out the registration form with your details. That information is used to match you to relevant studies so make sure it is accurate and completely filled out. If you do not live near any of their locations do not fret. You can register for the national database and qualify for online and phone-based studies instead. The whole sign-up takes about ten minutes.
💡 Insider Tip:
A generic profile with minimal detail gets fewer invitations than a detailed one. Spend an extra five minutes on the registration form and it pays off in more frequent invitations.
Can I do this whenever I want?
No, Fieldwork contacts you when a study that matches your profile opens up. You do not log in and pick a session from a list. You get contacted via phone or email and invited to participate at a specific date and time. There is no flexibility and it is a take it or leave it type of gig.
Frequency of invites will depend on your demographics and how many studies match your profile. This is not something you can change on a whim because projects have a specific requirements and you do not want to lie about your information. That would be especially awkward when you show up and they are expecting a completely different person to participate in a study. Some members will get invited to participate in studies several times a month, while others hear from Fieldwork only a few times per year.
How much money can you really make?
The pay is where focus groups shine and Fieldwork is no exception. On average, a standard consumer focus groups will pay $75 to $150 for 60 to 90 minutes sessions. If you are a specialized professional such as someone who works in healthcare, pay can be specifically more.
An unknown type of focus group is participating in mock jury sessions. This is where you review a real legal case and give your verdict. The work is a full day, but pay to participants can be as much as $300 to $550. Other focus groups can involve taste tests, product trials, and in-home interviews. They all vary by scope but pay in the same range as standard focus groups.
When and how do you get paid?
Another huge selling point for participating in focus groups is the rapid pay. In-person focus groups hand you a Visa gift card or cash equivalent when you walk out the door. Online studies often pay via Visa gift card delivered digitally after completion. You are always told the payment type and amount before you agree to participate, so there are no surprises.
What stuff do you need to start?
For in-person sessions you will typically be required to show identification to confirm who you are but nothing else beyond being responsible to get to the facility. They do not pay for. For online studies you will need a desktop computer with a working webcam and a reliable internet connection. There is no special software to download or secondary registration. If this seems easy, that’s because it really is.
Is the work easy or hard?
It’s easy and most participants find it quite enjoyable, especially if you are someone that loves to talk and has strong opinions. You show up in person or remotely and share your honest thoughts. A trained moderator leads the conversation that normally will have several participants. There is nothing ahead of time to prepare or study has raw reactions is one of the main goals.
For the most part questions are about everyday products, services, and experiences that already have opinions about. Groups are small, usually six to ten people. Go into it expecting a positive experience because chances are that’s what you will have.
The Pros and Cons of Fieldwork
| The Pros | The Cons |
|---|---|
| Excellent hourly rate: $75 to $150 for 60 to 90 minutes. | Low frequency: Most members qualify for just a few sessions yearly. |
| Four decades in business: Established, reputable, and trustworthy. | Not browsable: You wait for Fieldwork to contact you. |
| Paid at the door: Cash or gift card in hand when you leave. | Location dependent: Best value near one of their 17 facilities. |
Final Verdict: Is Fieldwork worth your time?
Based on its high hourly rate and 40-year track record, we rank Fieldwork as a premier gig for those who qualify. Especially if you live near one of their city locations. Fieldwork earns our top rating because the hourly rate is hard to beat, the company is legitimate and the work itself is as low-effort as it gets while being enjoyable.
The Bottom Line: Even if you don’t live near a facility sign up and participate in the remote opportunities. This gig does not require hustle, just showing up and a willingness to share honest opinions. Do it.
Frequently Asked Questions
A mock jury is a simulated legal proceeding where research firms test how potential jurors might react to evidence, arguments, and case presentations before a real trial. You review actual case materials, deliberate with a small group, and deliver a verdict.
If you register for a local facility near one of Fieldwork’s 17 US cities, you are eligible for in-person sessions at that location, which pay the most and are the most engaging. The national database is for people who do not live near a facility.
There is no guarantee. Frequency depends on how many studies match your profile and how specific your demographic is. Some members participate three or four times per year. Others hear back far less often.
Often yes. In-person sessions at Fieldwork facilities may be observed through one-way glass by client researchers and may be video recorded. You are always informed of this before the session begins and asked to consent.
Yes. Any compensation you receive counts as income. Fieldwork pays via Visa gift cards rather than direct cash, but gift card compensation is still taxable. Keep a record of sessions attended and amounts received.
