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.
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 #4 of 40 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Denver, CO | $127,810 | $93,709 | $88,587 |
| 2 | Virginia Beach, VA | $114,070 | $83,333 | $85,085 |
| 3 | Columbus, OH | $104,970 | $80,572 | $84,396 |
| 4 | Washington, DC | $127,600 | $90,603 | $83,211 |
| 5 | Richmond, VA | $109,650 | $80,478 | $82,240 |
| 6 | Charlotte, NC | $105,180 | $79,136 | $81,292 |
| 7 | Dallas, TX | $106,380 | $83,668 | $81,160 |
| 8 | San Jose, CA | $123,360 | $86,736 | $78,549 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 40 metros →
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 #4 of 40 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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