Operations Research Analyst Salary
Operations Research Analysts earn a median $88,940 a year nationally. Computer and Mathematical Occupations
What operations research analysts do
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)
- Openings per year
- 7,500
Employment of operations research analysts is projected to grow 11.9% from 2025 to 2035, faster than the 3.5% average for all occupations. About 7,500 openings are expected each year, on average, including jobs left by workers who retire or switch careers.
Source: BLS Standard Occupational Classification and Employment Projections, 2025–35.
Operations Research Analyst take-home pay calculator
Starts at the national median. Pick your state to see your real paycheck.
- Federal income tax$10,737
- Social Security (6.2%)$5,514
- Medicare (1.45%)$1,290
- Texas income tax$0
- Take-home pay$71,399
Marginal rate: 22% federal + 0.00% state
Pay by experience
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home (no state tax) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $57,060 | $27.43 | $48,028 |
| 25th percentile | $68,360 | $32.87 | $56,921 |
| Median (50th) | $88,940 | $42.76 | $71,399 |
| 75th percentile | $125,990 | $60.57 | $97,380 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $159,910 | $76.88 | $120,564 |
Best cities for operations research analysts (after tax & cost of living)
| # | Metro area | Median | Take-home | Real value* | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Washington, DC | $127,600 | $90,603 | $83,211 | 8,080 |
| 2 | Dallas, TX | $106,380 | $83,668 | $81,160 | 4,270 |
| 3 | Houston, TX | $86,380 | $69,598 | $70,566 | 2,500 |
| 4 | Boston, MA | $100,700 | $74,857 | $69,142 | 3,420 |
| 5 | Baltimore, MD | $94,440 | $71,146 | $68,091 | 2,350 |
| 6 | New York, NY | $103,110 | $76,325 | $67,806 | 6,890 |
| 7 | Chicago, IL | $86,500 | $65,546 | $63,271 | 3,680 |
| 8 | Los Angeles, CA | $98,270 | $71,776 | $63,202 | 3,480 |
| 9 | Atlanta, GA | $77,510 | $59,958 | $59,924 | 3,250 |
*Take-home pay in U.S.-average dollars (BEA Regional Price Parities).
Highest-paying cities
- Washington, DC — $127,600
- Dallas, TX — $106,380
- New York, NY — $103,110
- Boston, MA — $100,700
- Los Angeles, CA — $98,270
- Baltimore, MD — $94,440
- Chicago, IL — $86,500
- Houston, TX — $86,380
- Atlanta, GA — $77,510
Operations Research Analyst salary by state
| State | Median | 1-yr change | Take-home | Range | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Colorado | $129,880 | +24.2% | $95,033 | $79,570 – $182,530 | 770 |
| Virginia | $129,460 | +5.2% | $93,122 | $71,820 – $194,260 | 6,980 |
| Alabama | $115,630 | −1.6% | $84,659 | $64,830 – $173,910 | 550 |
| New York | $108,610 | −0.8% | $79,869 | $62,780 – $175,800 | 5,890 |
| Ohio | $103,620 | −0.9% | $79,659 | $52,000 – $142,080 | 2,600 |
| Idaho | $103,600 | +33.7% | $77,330 | $60,640 – $138,510 | 500 |
| Oregon | $102,170 | +2.9% | $72,596 | $65,600 – $145,710 | 2,710 |
| California | $102,100 | +5.3% | $74,064 | $65,510 – $168,030 | 10,620 |
| Delaware | $101,070 | −0.1% | $74,603 | $62,510 – $132,780 | 660 |
| Hawaii | $100,600 | +3.0% | $73,487 | $68,450 – $156,210 | 120 |
| Maine | $99,460 | +10.0% | $73,184 | $66,520 – $141,050 | 220 |
| Nebraska | $98,300 | +1.4% | $74,391 | $60,550 – $149,760 | 330 |
| Washington | $98,030 | +1.6% | $77,794 | $68,580 – $155,790 | 3,050 |
| Maryland | $97,410 | −3.5% | $73,095 | $55,880 – $180,750 | 4,710 |
| North Carolina | $97,290 | −3.3% | $73,900 | $60,180 – $130,980 | 2,520 |
| Connecticut | $96,700 | −2.5% | $73,115 | $61,300 – $131,030 | 950 |
| Massachusetts | $96,500 | +7.2% | $72,113 | $71,550 – $146,000 | 4,200 |
| District of Columbia | $96,030 | −17.2% | $71,193 | $65,550 – $195,190 | 2,250 |
| Minnesota | $95,550 | +7.1% | $71,075 | $60,350 – $133,170 | 1,240 |
| Mississippi | $92,310 | +5.4% | $70,810 | $59,830 – $130,120 | 120 |
| Kansas | $92,050 | −7.7% | $69,250 | $58,570 – $137,820 | — |
| Texas | $90,710 | −6.2% | $72,644 | $57,840 – $164,570 | 11,890 |
| Utah | $90,200 | +9.7% | $69,193 | $57,990 – $130,910 | 810 |
| Illinois | $89,800 | −12.6% | $67,704 | $62,500 – $164,990 | 5,180 |
| Vermont | $89,790 | −17.5% | $68,531 | $65,100 – $123,740 | 170 |
| Alaska | $88,750 | −11.2% | $71,266 | $50,230 – $128,910 | 70 |
| Nevada | $86,500 | +5.3% | $69,683 | $65,210 – $139,920 | 370 |
| Indiana | $85,280 | +1.3% | $66,338 | $59,850 – $133,480 | 1,380 |
| Kentucky | $83,850 | +2.6% | $65,001 | $58,970 – $129,860 | 660 |
| Michigan | $83,480 | −0.7% | $64,261 | $61,650 – $139,880 | 980 |
| North Dakota | $82,460 | +3.0% | $66,492 | $57,930 – $119,400 | 130 |
| Iowa | $80,580 | +3.1% | $63,108 | $47,520 – $140,960 | 300 |
| Montana | $80,400 | +12.7% | $62,210 | $61,750 – $99,930 | 150 |
| New Mexico | $80,360 | +3.1% | $62,752 | $49,940 – $150,030 | 510 |
| South Carolina | $80,240 | +7.2% | $61,622 | $52,500 – $125,700 | 1,380 |
| Pennsylvania | $79,640 | +5.1% | $62,412 | $55,220 – $129,420 | 3,220 |
| Rhode Island | $77,910 | −9.5% | $61,335 | $61,110 – $183,030 | 360 |
| Florida | $77,600 | −0.1% | $63,422 | $46,340 – $131,490 | 9,120 |
| Tennessee | $76,680 | +1.7% | $62,774 | $46,150 – $125,480 | 1,200 |
| Georgia | $76,220 | +3.2% | $59,118 | $52,000 – $132,610 | 4,600 |
| Arizona | $75,470 | −9.6% | $60,245 | $58,430 – $124,230 | 2,600 |
| Wisconsin | $71,820 | −4.2% | $56,929 | $50,380 – $102,090 | 4,270 |
| West Virginia | $64,100 | +0.5% | $51,530 | $51,630 – $96,500 | 200 |
| Louisiana | $63,210 | −1.6% | $51,459 | $49,940 – $111,160 | 550 |
| Missouri | $62,380 | +12.1% | $50,308 | $49,180 – $116,980 | 1,190 |
| Oklahoma | $61,520 | −1.6% | $49,388 | $41,680 – $88,280 | 1,840 |
| Arkansas | $59,030 | −22.0% | $47,521 | $47,350 – $96,920 | 210 |
Related jobs
| Job | Median salary | Education | Growth 2025–35 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mathematical Science Occupations, All Other | $81,490 | Bachelor's degree | +7.1% |
| Statistician | $105,650 | Master's degree | +11.0% |
| Data Scientist | $120,230 | Bachelor's degree | +34.6% |
| Mathematician | $126,710 | Master's degree | +0.6% |
| Actuary | $130,000 | Bachelor's degree | +9.2% |
| Web Developer | $92,650 | Bachelor's degree | +3.8% |
| Network and Computer Systems Administrator | $99,130 | Bachelor's degree | -4.1% |
| Computer Programmer | $100,390 | Bachelor's degree | -7.3% |
| Computer Network Support Specialist | $76,220 | Associate's degree | +1.2% |
| Web and Digital Interface Designer | $104,000 | Bachelor's degree | +6.0% |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a operations research analyst make?
The national median salary for operations research analysts is $88,940 a year ($42.76 an hour). The lowest-paid 10% earn under $57,060 and the top 10% earn over $159,910. Source: BLS, May 2025.
Which state pays operations research analysts the most?
Colorado has the highest median pay at $129,880. After taxes and local prices, Washington, DC offers the best real take-home pay of any metro area.
How many operations research analysts are there in the U.S.?
About 108,510 people work as operations research analysts nationwide.