I checked out Fieldwork to see if its paid focus groups are worth your time. It is legit and pays well per study, but most studies are at its offices in a few US cities. Below is what I found, and which sites I recommend instead.
Legit and pays well, but only if you live near an office
In-office focus groups often pay $100 to $500. Few studies are online, and it is hard to qualify.
On this page
The short answer
Fieldwork is legit. It is a market research company that pays you for taking part in research studies, mostly focus groups. It pays a decent amount per study, with no payout threshold.
But most studies take place at its offices in a few US cities, and it is hard to qualify. Online and phone studies are rare. If you do not live in a city with a Fieldwork office, I do not see the point in joining.
- Pays a decent amount per study
- No payout threshold: you are paid after each study
- Studies include taste tests, product trials and interviews
- The member dashboard works well on a phone
- Limited earning opportunities
- Most studies are in person, at a Fieldwork office
- It is hard to qualify for a study
- Most opportunities are for people in the US
- Support form only after you log in
My experience with Fieldwork
I signed up for Fieldwork and looked at the studies, the qualifying surveys and the rewards. This is what I looked at, and what I did not test.
- First checked
- November 2023Review first published Nov 1, 2023
- Latest retest
- Checked: studies, rewards, support
- In-office rewards I saw
- Around $100 to $500Depends on the session length and the topic
- Offices
- 11, in US citiesWhen I wrote this review
- Signing up and completing the profile
- The member dashboard and the qualifying surveys
- The rewards shown for the studies
- The dashboard on a mobile phone
- The FAQ and the Get Help form
- Taking part in a study. My review does not show that I was selected for one.
- A payout. My review does not show a payment from Fieldwork.
Fieldwork at a glance
| What it is | A market research company that pays you to take part in research studies, mostly focus groups |
|---|---|
| Cost to join | Free |
| Ways to earn | Research studies: focus groups at its offices, and some by phone or online. Also taste tests, product trials, in-home interviews, shop-along interviews and online research. |
| Rewards I saw | Around $100 to $500 for in-office studies. Online and phone studies pay significantly less. |
| Payout methods | Mostly a prepaid Visa card, sometimes gift cards. It depends on the study. |
| Minimum cashout | None. You are paid after you complete a study. |
| Offices | 11 offices in US cities, when I wrote this review |
| Who can join | Anyone can join the panel, but most, if not all, opportunities are for people in the US |
| Devices | Mobile-friendly dashboard for the qualifying surveys. Online focus groups need a computer. |
| Support | FAQ, and a Get Help form at the bottom of the member dashboard |
Is Fieldwork legit and safe?
Yes, Fieldwork is legit, because you can really earn money from its research studies. But that does not mean it is the right fit for you. Here is what you should know.
- Most studies are at an office
Most opportunities are focus groups at a Fieldwork office. If you live far away, the travel costs can be more than what you earn. Check the location of a study before you answer its survey.
- It is hard to qualify
You answer a qualifying survey for each study and wait for Fieldwork to review it. Fieldwork seems to prioritize people who work in healthcare. In another industry, you are lucky if you qualify for a study once a month.
- Online studies are rare
Some studies are by phone or online, with no travel. Those are the ones to target, but they are not very common, and they pay significantly less.
- Answer the surveys honestly
The qualifying questions decide if you are the right participant. Answer them as honestly as possible.
- Mostly for the US
You can join from anywhere, but most, if not all, opportunities are for people who live in the US.
My takeIn my opinion, Fieldwork is not for everyone. If you live in a city with a Fieldwork office, you can potentially earn good money when there are focus groups available. If you do not, I do not see the point in joining. Even though it pays a decent amount, you might not find any opportunities to earn.
Fieldwork studies are hard to land. These sites let you earn from anywhere.
See the best alternativesHow you earn on Fieldwork
There is only one way to earn: research studies.
Research studies and focus groupsAround $100 to $500 in person
Pick a study you are interested in and answer its survey questions. Fieldwork reviews your answers. If you qualify, you get a phone call or an email, and you go to the Fieldwork office at the date and time given.
Some studies do not need an office visit, because they take place by phone or online. There are also taste tests, product trials, in-home interviews, shop-along interviews and online research. In my opinion, these are the studies to target, because there are no travel costs.
There are a decent number of studies at any given time, but you will not always qualify. You are paid right after you complete a study.
Recommended: Check Out the Top Survey Sites in Your Country
How much can you make?
When I tested Fieldwork, the studies at its offices usually paid around $100 to $500, depending on the length of the session and the complexity of the topic. That is a significant amount.
But only people who live near an office can profit, because they do not have travel costs. Studies online or by phone pay significantly less, and they are relatively rare.
So the earning potential is pretty good if you live in a city with a Fieldwork office, and very low if you do not. Fieldwork is also very specific about who it accepts, so you might not qualify for a single study.
How you get paid
| Method | Minimum | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Prepaid Visa card | None | The most common reward. Paid after you complete a study. |
| Gift cards | None | For some studies |
How you get paid depends on the study. The payment system is relatively straightforward, and I like that there is no payout threshold. For more sites with a low or no threshold, see the fastest-paying sites.
Fieldwork alternatives I have tested
| Site | Best for | Min. cashout | My rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| Google UX Research | Google’s own research program | None | 3.7 / 5 |
| Prolific | Academic studies online, fair pay | £6/$6 | 3.4 / 5 |
| FocusGroup.com | Research studies that pay quite well, mostly in person | 1,000 points ($10) | 3.3 / 5 |
| Respondent | Research projects paid straight to PayPal | None | 3.0 / 5 |
Want to earn more regularly? See the top survey and GPT sites in your country. They all have good earning potential, and you will find a site you can join wherever you live.
How I scored Fieldwork
I use the same 100-point system for every platform. See how I test and rate.
Fieldwork scores 62 out of 100. If you do not live near one of its offices, start with these sites instead.
See the best alternativesFieldwork FAQ
Is Fieldwork a scam?
No. Fieldwork is a legit market research company, and you can really earn from its studies. But it is hard to qualify, and most studies are in person.
How much does Fieldwork pay?
When I tested it, studies at its offices usually paid around $100 to $500, depending on the session length and the topic. Online and phone studies pay significantly less.
How does Fieldwork pay?
Mostly with a prepaid Visa card, and sometimes with gift cards. There is no payout threshold. You are paid after you complete a study.
Do I have to go to a Fieldwork office?
For most studies, yes. Some studies are by phone or online, but they are not very common.
Who can join Fieldwork?
Anyone can join the panel, but most, if not all, opportunities are for people in the US. When I wrote this review, Fieldwork had 11 offices in US cities.
Can I use Fieldwork on my phone?
You can log in and answer the qualifying surveys on your phone. Online focus groups need a computer.
How do I contact Fieldwork?
Check the FAQ on the website. Otherwise, log in and click Get Help at the bottom of the member dashboard.
Who checked Fieldwork for this review
If you have any comments, questions, or experience with Fieldwork, I would love to hear from you in a comment below.