Operations Research Analyst Salary in Washington, DC
Operations Research Analysts in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area earn a median $127,600 a year — 43% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $90,603 take-home, or $7,550 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median operations research analyst salary in Washington, DC. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$19,358
- Social Security (6.2%)$7,911
- Medicare (1.45%)$1,850
- District of Columbia income tax$7,878
- Take-home pay$90,603
Marginal rate: 24% federal + 8.50% state
The Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro spans District of Columbia, Virginia, Maryland, West Virginia. 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 Washington, DC
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $69,910 | $33.61 | $54,914 | $4,576 |
| 25th percentile | $85,450 | $41.08 | $64,649 | $5,387 |
| Median (50th) | $127,600 | $61.35 | $90,603 | $7,550 |
| 75th percentile | $166,840 | $80.21 | $114,088 | $9,507 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $194,900 | $93.70 | $131,527 | $10,961 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, District of Columbia resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $127,600 buys in Washington, DC
Prices in Washington, DC are 8.9% higher than the U.S. average (housing costs are 1.51× the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median operations research analyst's $90,603 take-home pay has the buying power of $83,211 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Washington, DC has 3.7× the national concentration of operations research analyst jobs — a strong local market for this occupation.
Best-paying cities for operations research analysts, adjusted for cost of living
Washington, DC ranks #1 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 Washington, DC?
The median operations research analyst salary in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area is $127,600 a year, or about $61.35 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $85,450 and $166,840.
What is a operations research analyst’s take-home pay in Washington, DC?
On the median $127,600 salary, a single filer living in District of Columbia takes home about $90,603 a year ($7,550 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $7,878 in District of Columbia taxes in 2026.
Is Washington, DC a good place to work as a operations research analyst?
Pay here is 43% above the national median of $88,940. Local prices are 8.9% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $83,211 would in a typical U.S. city. Washington, DC ranks #1 of 9 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a operations research analyst afford rent in Washington, DC?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Washington, DC is $1,990 a month ($2,223 for two bedrooms) — 26% of a median operations research analyst’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
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