Operations research analysts salary
| Measure | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $57,060 | $27.43 |
| Median (50th percentile) | $88,940 | $42.76 |
| Mean (average) | $99,730 | $47.95 |
| 90th percentile | $159,910 | $76.88 |
These wages describe everyone employed in the occupation, from new entrants to experienced workers. They are not starting salaries and not earnings of graduates from any particular program. Verified data
Operations research analysts pay by state and metro area
Table: median wage and employment for all 50 states and territories
| State | Median | 10th pct | 90th pct | Employment | Location quotient |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $115,630 | $64,830 | $173,910 | 550 | 0.37 |
| Alaska | $88,750 | $50,230 | $128,910 | 70 | 0.3 |
| Arizona | $75,470 | $58,430 | $124,230 | 2,600 | 1.15 |
| Arkansas | $59,030 | $47,350 | $96,920 | 210 | 0.24 |
| California | $102,100 | $65,510 | $168,030 | 10,620 | 0.84 |
| Colorado | $129,880 | $79,570 | $182,530 | 770 | 0.39 |
| Connecticut | $96,700 | $61,300 | $131,030 | 950 | 0.8 |
| Delaware | $101,070 | $62,510 | $132,780 | 660 | 1.96 |
| District of Columbia | $96,030 | $65,550 | $195,190 | 2,250 | 4.59 |
| Florida | $77,600 | $46,340 | $131,490 | 9,120 | 1.32 |
| Georgia | $76,220 | $52,000 | $132,610 | 4,600 | 1.35 |
| Hawaii | $100,600 | $68,450 | $156,210 | 120 | 0.28 |
| Idaho | $103,600 | $60,640 | $138,510 | 500 | 0.84 |
| Illinois | $89,800 | $62,500 | $164,990 | 5,180 | 1.22 |
| Indiana | $85,280 | $59,850 | $133,480 | 1,380 | 0.62 |
| Iowa | $80,580 | $47,520 | $140,960 | 300 | 0.27 |
| Kansas | $92,050 | $58,570 | $137,820 | ||
| Kentucky | $83,850 | $58,970 | $129,860 | 660 | 0.47 |
| Louisiana | $63,210 | $49,940 | $111,160 | 550 | 0.41 |
| Maine | $99,460 | $66,520 | $141,050 | 220 | 0.49 |
| Maryland | $97,410 | $55,880 | $180,750 | 4,710 | 2.44 |
| Massachusetts | $96,500 | $71,550 | $146,000 | 4,200 | 1.66 |
| Michigan | $83,480 | $61,650 | $139,880 | 980 | 0.32 |
| Minnesota | $95,550 | $60,350 | $133,170 | 1,240 | 0.6 |
| Mississippi | $92,310 | $59,830 | $130,120 | 120 | 0.15 |
| Missouri | $62,380 | $49,180 | $116,980 | 1,190 | 0.58 |
| Montana | $80,400 | $61,750 | $99,930 | 150 | 0.42 |
| Nebraska | $98,300 | $60,550 | $149,760 | 330 | 0.46 |
| Nevada | $86,500 | $65,210 | $139,920 | 370 | 0.34 |
| New Hampshire | Data unavailable | 290 | 0.6 | ||
| New Jersey | Data unavailable | 3,280 | 1.1 | ||
| New Mexico | $80,360 | $49,940 | $150,030 | 510 | 0.84 |
| New York | $108,610 | $62,780 | $175,800 | 5,890 | 0.87 |
| North Carolina | $97,290 | $60,180 | $130,980 | 2,520 | 0.73 |
| North Dakota | $82,460 | $57,930 | $119,400 | 130 | 0.44 |
| Ohio | $103,620 | $52,000 | $142,080 | 2,600 | 0.67 |
| Oklahoma | $61,520 | $41,680 | $88,280 | 1,840 | 1.55 |
| Oregon | $102,170 | $65,600 | $145,710 | 2,710 | 1.97 |
| Pennsylvania | $79,640 | $55,220 | $129,420 | 3,220 | 0.76 |
| Puerto Rico | $57,000 | $43,510 | $121,270 | 50 | 0.07 |
| Rhode Island | $77,910 | $61,110 | $183,030 | 360 | 1.04 |
| South Carolina | $80,240 | $52,500 | $125,700 | 1,380 | 0.86 |
| Tennessee | $76,680 | $46,150 | $125,480 | 1,200 | 0.52 |
| Texas | $90,710 | $57,840 | $164,570 | 11,890 | 1.21 |
| Utah | $90,200 | $57,990 | $130,910 | 810 | 0.67 |
| Vermont | $89,790 | $65,100 | $123,740 | 170 | 0.78 |
| Virginia | $129,460 | $71,820 | $194,260 | 6,980 | 2.43 |
| Washington | $98,030 | $68,580 | $155,790 | 3,050 | 1.23 |
| West Virginia | $64,100 | $51,630 | $96,500 | 200 | 0.42 |
| Wisconsin | $71,820 | $50,380 | $102,090 | 4,270 | 2.08 |
A location quotient above 1 means the occupation is more concentrated in that state than in the nation overall.
Metro areas with the most jobs
Highest paying metro areas
Job outlook for operations research analysts
- Average annual openings, 2025 to 2035: 7,500. Openings include new jobs plus replacement needs when workers retire or leave the occupation. Official projection
- Read the official BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook profile.
These are official BLS projections. ConnectPrep does not alter them or present its own forecasts as official statistics.
Education and training for operations research analysts
- Typical entry education
- Bachelor's degree
- Related work experience
- None
- On-the-job training
- None
- O*NET Job Zone
- Job Zone Five: Extensive Preparation Needed
Highest education of people working in this occupation
O*NET describes this preparation level as: Most of these occupations require graduate school. For example, they may require a master's degree, and some require a Ph.D., M.D., or J.D. (law degree).
Degrees and programs that lead to this career
Programs officially mapped to this occupation in the NCES and BLS CIP to SOC crosswalk. A mapping means the program commonly prepares students for the occupation, not that every graduate works in it. Official crosswalk
- Operations Research CIP 14.3701
- Management Science CIP 52.1301
Skills, knowledge, and daily work
Most important skills
Most important knowledge areas
Typical tasks
- Present the results of mathematical modeling and data analysis to management or other end users.
- Define data requirements, and gather and validate information, applying judgment and statistical tests.
- Perform validation and testing of models to ensure adequacy, and reformulate models, as necessary.
- Prepare management reports defining and evaluating problems and recommending solutions.
- Collaborate with others in the organization to ensure successful implementation of chosen problem solutions.
- Formulate mathematical or simulation models of problems, relating constants and variables, restrictions, alternatives, conflicting objectives, and their numerical parameters.
- Observe the current system in operation, and gather and analyze information about each of the component problems, using a variety of sources.
- Analyze information obtained from management to conceptualize and define operational problems.
Technology skills
- Microsoft Excel (in demand)
- Microsoft Office software (in demand)
- Microsoft Outlook (in demand)
- Microsoft Power BI (in demand)
- Microsoft PowerPoint (in demand)
- Python (in demand)
- Salesforce software (in demand)
- Structured query language SQL (in demand)
- Tableau (in demand)
- Amazon Redshift (hot technology)
- Apache Hadoop (hot technology)
- Apache Hive (hot technology)
- Apple macOS (hot technology)
- Bash (hot technology)
- C (hot technology)
- C++ (hot technology)
Transferable skills for career changers: Complex Problem Solving, Judgment and Decision Making, Systems Analysis, Systems Evaluation, Operations Analysis, Coordination.
Common job titles: Advanced Analytics Associate, Analytical Strategist, Decision Analyst, Operations Research Analyst (Ops Research Analyst), Operations Research Scientist (Ops Research Scientist), Optimization Analyst, Researcher.
Is it worth it? Model the cost of getting there
Use the ROI calculator to compare the cost of the education this career usually requires against staying on your current path. It starts from the official wage distribution above, and you can change every assumption.
Frequently asked questions
How much do operations research analysts make?
The national median annual wage for operations research analysts was $88,940 in May 2025, according to the BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics program. The lowest paid 10 percent earned less than $57,060 and the highest paid 10 percent earned more than $159,910. These figures cover all workers in the occupation, not only new entrants.
What education do operations research analysts need?
BLS lists bachelor's degree as the typical education needed to enter this occupation, with none of related work experience and none on-the-job training typically needed to become competent.
Is operations research analysts a growing career?
BLS projects employment of operations research analysts to change +11.9% from 2025 to 2035, compared with +3.5% for all occupations. About 7,500 openings are projected each year on average, including openings from workers who retire or change occupations.
Which states pay operations research analysts the most?
By median annual wage in May 2025, the highest paying states were Colorado ($129,880), Virginia ($129,460), Alabama ($115,630). Pay differences partly reflect differences in living costs.