Operations Research Analyst Salary in Los Angeles, CA
Operations Research Analysts in the Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA metro area earn a median $98,270 a year — 10% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $71,776 take-home, or $5,981 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median operations research analyst salary in Los Angeles, CA. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$12,789
- Social Security (6.2%)$6,093
- Medicare (1.45%)$1,425
- California income tax$4,910
- CA State Disability Insurance (SDI)$1,278
- Take-home pay$71,776
Marginal rate: 22% federal + 9.30% state
Got an offer somewhere else? Compare it with this one after taxes and rent →
Operations Research Analyst pay by experience in Los Angeles, CA
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $62,420 | $30.01 | $49,728 | $4,144 |
| 25th percentile | $75,270 | $36.19 | $57,994 | $4,833 |
| Median (50th) | $98,270 | $47.25 | $71,776 | $5,981 |
| 75th percentile | $126,990 | $61.05 | $88,832 | $7,403 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $161,660 | $77.72 | $108,854 | $9,071 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, California resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $98,270 buys in Los Angeles, CA
Prices in Los Angeles, CA are 13.6% higher than the U.S. average (housing costs are 1.70× the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median operations research analyst's $71,776 take-home pay has the buying power of $63,202 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 less concentrated in Los Angeles, CA than nationally (location quotient 0.80), so openings may be scarcer.
Best-paying cities for operations research analysts, adjusted for cost of living
Los Angeles, CA ranks #8 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 Los Angeles, CA?
The median operations research analyst salary in the Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA metro area is $98,270 a year, or about $47.25 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $75,270 and $126,990.
What is a operations research analyst’s take-home pay in Los Angeles, CA?
On the median $98,270 salary, a single filer living in California takes home about $71,776 a year ($5,981 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $6,187 in California taxes in 2026.
Is Los Angeles, CA a good place to work as a operations research analyst?
Pay here is 10% above the national median of $88,940. Local prices are 13.6% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $63,202 would in a typical U.S. city. Los Angeles, CA ranks #8 of 9 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a operations research analyst afford rent in Los Angeles, CA?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Los Angeles, CA is $2,245 a month ($2,755 for two bedrooms) — 38% of a median operations research analyst’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
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