Operations Research Analyst Salary in Chicago, IL
Operations Research Analysts in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area earn a median $86,500 a year — 3% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $65,546 take-home, or $5,462 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median operations research analyst salary in Chicago, IL. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$10,200
- Social Security (6.2%)$5,363
- Medicare (1.45%)$1,254
- Illinois income tax$4,137
- Take-home pay$65,546
Marginal rate: 22% federal + 4.95% state
The Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro spans Illinois, Indiana. Pick the state you live in — state income tax follows your residence.
Got an offer somewhere else? Compare it with this one after taxes and rent →
Operations Research Analyst pay by experience in Chicago, IL
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $62,470 | $30.03 | $49,427 | $4,119 |
| 25th percentile | $76,280 | $36.67 | $58,862 | $4,905 |
| Median (50th) | $86,500 | $41.59 | $65,546 | $5,462 |
| 75th percentile | $119,240 | $57.33 | $86,958 | $7,246 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $148,600 | $71.44 | $105,623 | $8,802 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Illinois resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $86,500 buys in Chicago, IL
Prices in Chicago, IL are 3.6% higher than the U.S. average (housing costs are 1.12× the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median operations research analyst's $65,546 take-home pay has the buying power of $63,271 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Operations Research Analyst jobs are about as common in Chicago, IL as in the U.S. overall (location quotient 1.17).
Best-paying cities for operations research analysts, adjusted for cost of living
Chicago, IL ranks #7 of 9 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Washington, DC | $127,600 | $90,603 | $83,211 |
| 2 | Dallas, TX | $106,380 | $83,668 | $81,160 |
| 3 | Houston, TX | $86,380 | $69,598 | $70,566 |
| 4 | Boston, MA | $100,700 | $74,857 | $69,142 |
| 5 | Baltimore, MD | $94,440 | $71,146 | $68,091 |
| 6 | New York, NY | $103,110 | $76,325 | $67,806 |
| 7 | Chicago, IL | $86,500 | $65,546 | $63,271 |
| 8 | Los Angeles, CA | $98,270 | $71,776 | $63,202 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 9 metros →
About the job: operations research analysts
Formulate and apply mathematical modeling and other optimizing methods to develop and interpret information that assists management with decisionmaking, policy formulation, or other managerial functions. May collect and analyze data and develop decision support software, services, or products. May develop and supply optimal time, cost, or logistics networks for program evaluation, review, or implementation.
- Typical education
- Bachelor's degree
- Work experience
- None required
- On-the-job training
- None
- Job outlook, 2025–35
- +11.9% (much faster than average)
Source: BLS Standard Occupational Classification and Employment Projections, 2025–35.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a operations research analyst make in Chicago, IL?
The median operations research analyst salary in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area is $86,500 a year, or about $41.59 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $76,280 and $119,240.
What is a operations research analyst’s take-home pay in Chicago, IL?
On the median $86,500 salary, a single filer living in Illinois takes home about $65,546 a year ($5,462 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $4,137 in Illinois taxes in 2026.
Is Chicago, IL a good place to work as a operations research analyst?
Pay here is 3% below the national median of $88,940. Local prices are 3.6% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $63,271 would in a typical U.S. city. Chicago, IL ranks #7 of 9 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a operations research analyst afford rent in Chicago, IL?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Chicago, IL is $1,534 a month ($1,743 for two bedrooms) — 28% of a median operations research analyst’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
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