Operations Research Analyst Salary in Houston, TX
Operations Research Analysts in the Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX metro area earn a median $86,380 a year — 3% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $69,598 take-home, or $5,800 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median operations research analyst salary in Houston, TX. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$10,174
- Social Security (6.2%)$5,356
- Medicare (1.45%)$1,253
- Texas income tax$0
- Take-home pay$69,598
Marginal rate: 22% federal + 0.00% state
Got an offer somewhere else? Compare it with this one after taxes and rent →
Operations Research Analyst pay by experience in Houston, TX
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $60,120 | $28.90 | $50,486 | $4,207 |
| 25th percentile | $71,190 | $34.23 | $58,912 | $4,909 |
| Median (50th) | $86,380 | $41.53 | $69,598 | $5,800 |
| 75th percentile | $111,420 | $53.57 | $87,214 | $7,268 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $171,580 | $82.49 | $128,541 | $10,712 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Texas resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $86,380 buys in Houston, TX
Prices in Houston, TX are 1.4% lower than the U.S. average (housing costs are 1.05× the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median operations research analyst's $69,598 take-home pay has the buying power of $70,566 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 Houston, TX as in the U.S. overall (location quotient 1.09).
Best-paying cities for operations research analysts, adjusted for cost of living
Houston, TX ranks #3 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.
Operations Research Analyst salaries elsewhere in Texas
- Dallas, TX — $106,380
Frequently asked questions
How much does a operations research analyst make in Houston, TX?
The median operations research analyst salary in the Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX metro area is $86,380 a year, or about $41.53 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $71,190 and $111,420.
What is a operations research analyst’s take-home pay in Houston, TX?
On the median $86,380 salary, a single filer living in Texas takes home about $69,598 a year ($5,800 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare in 2026.
Is Houston, TX a good place to work as a operations research analyst?
Pay here is 3% below the national median of $88,940. Local prices are 1.4% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $70,566 would in a typical U.S. city. Houston, TX ranks #3 of 9 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a operations research analyst afford rent in Houston, TX?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Houston, TX is $1,316 a month ($1,558 for two bedrooms) — 23% of a median operations research analyst’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Houston, TX
- Software Developer — $129,440
- Computer Systems Analyst — $113,440
- Data Scientist — $106,750
- Computer Occupations, All Other — $105,440
- Network and Computer Systems Administrator — $101,430
- Software Quality Assurance Analyst and Tester — $98,690
- Computer User Support Specialist — $59,250