How much does a operations research analyst make?
The median operations research analyst in the United States earns $88,940 per year, about $42.76 an hour. That is the midpoint of the profession: half of all operations research analysts earn more, and half earn less.
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025. SOC code 15-2031.
Operations research analyst salary range
Pay for operations research analysts spans a wide band. The lowest paid 10 percent earn under $57,060 a year, while the highest paid 10 percent take home more than $159,910. The average (mean) wage of $99,730 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $57,060 | $27.43 | Lowest paid |
| 25th percentile | $68,360 | $32.86 | |
| Median (50th) | $88,940 | $42.76 | Midpoint |
| 75th percentile | $125,990 | $60.57 | |
| 90th percentile | $159,910 | $76.88 | Highest paid |
Figures are national wage estimates for operations research analysts (SOC 15-2031), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2025.
Operations research analyst salary by state
Where you work changes the paycheck. Operations research analysts earn the most in Colorado at $129,880 a year, and the least in Arkansas at $59,030. The table below lists every state with published data, ranked by median annual salary.
| State | Median annual | Employed |
|---|---|---|
| Colorado | $129,880 | 770 |
| Virginia | $129,460 | 6,980 |
| Alabama | $115,630 | 550 |
| New York | $108,610 | 5,890 |
| Ohio | $103,620 | 2,600 |
| Idaho | $103,600 | 500 |
| Oregon | $102,170 | 2,710 |
| California | $102,100 | 10,620 |
| Delaware | $101,070 | 660 |
| Hawaii | $100,600 | 120 |
| Maine | $99,460 | 220 |
| Nebraska | $98,300 | 330 |
| Washington | $98,030 | 3,050 |
| Maryland | $97,410 | 4,710 |
| North Carolina | $97,290 | 2,520 |
| Connecticut | $96,700 | 950 |
| Massachusetts | $96,500 | 4,200 |
| District of Columbia | $96,030 | 2,250 |
| Minnesota | $95,550 | 1,240 |
| Mississippi | $92,310 | 120 |
| Kansas | $92,050 | N/A |
| Texas | $90,710 | 11,890 |
| Utah | $90,200 | 810 |
| Illinois | $89,800 | 5,180 |
| Vermont | $89,790 | 170 |
| Alaska | $88,750 | 70 |
| Nevada | $86,500 | 370 |
| Indiana | $85,280 | 1,380 |
| Kentucky | $83,850 | 660 |
| Michigan | $83,480 | 980 |
| North Dakota | $82,460 | 130 |
| Iowa | $80,580 | 300 |
| Montana | $80,400 | 150 |
| New Mexico | $80,360 | 510 |
| South Carolina | $80,240 | 1,380 |
| Pennsylvania | $79,640 | 3,220 |
| Rhode Island | $77,910 | 360 |
| Florida | $77,600 | 9,120 |
| Tennessee | $76,680 | 1,200 |
| Georgia | $76,220 | 4,600 |
| Arizona | $75,470 | 2,600 |
| Wisconsin | $71,820 | 4,270 |
| West Virginia | $64,100 | 200 |
| Louisiana | $63,210 | 550 |
| Missouri | $62,380 | 1,190 |
| Oklahoma | $61,520 | 1,840 |
| Arkansas | $59,030 | 210 |
State median wages for operations research analysts (SOC 15-2031), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS state files, May 2025. States where the BLS does not publish a median are not shown.
Job outlook for operations research analysts
The BLS projects employment of operations research analysts to grow 11.9% from 2025 to 2035. That is much faster than the 3.5% average for all occupations. That works out to roughly 113,100 jobs in 2025 moving toward 126,600 by 2035.
Across the decade, the BLS expects about 7,500 openings a year for operations research analysts. Most come from the need to replace workers who move to other jobs or leave the workforce, on top of any new positions from growth.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program, 2025-35 (Table 1.2, Occupational projections and worker characteristics).
How to become an operations research analyst
The typical entry-level education for operations research analysts is a bachelor's degree, according to the BLS.
Education, training, and experience data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program.
What affects how much an operations research analyst earns
Seniority, employer, location, and specialization matter most. Workers at large tech firms and in expensive metros like San Francisco, Seattle, and New York cluster near the top of the range.
Location is one of the clearest factors. The gap between the top paying state (Colorado, $129,880) and the lowest (Arkansas, $59,030) shows how much geography alone can move the number, before experience or specialization.
About 108,510 people work as operations research analysts in the United States. At $88,940 a year, the job pays above the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs.
Operations research analyst salary FAQ
How much does an operations research analyst make an hour?
The median hourly wage for an operations research analyst is $42.76. The middle half of operations research analysts earn between $32.86 and $60.57 per hour.
What is the highest operations research analyst salary?
The highest paid 10 percent of operations research analysts earn more than $159,910 per year. Top earners usually have the most experience and work in the best paying regions and industries.
How much does an operations research analyst make a year?
The median annual salary for an operations research analyst is $88,940. The average (mean) wage of $99,730 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
Is being an operations research analyst a well paid job?
At $88,940 a year, an operations research analyst earns above the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs. About 108,510 people work as operations research analysts in the United States.
Which state pays operations research analysts the most?
Colorado has the highest median salary for operations research analysts at $129,880 a year. Virginia ($129,460) and Alabama ($115,630) follow. State medians come from the BLS OEWS state files, May 2025.
Is being an operations research analyst a good career?
Employment of operations research analysts is projected to grow 11.9% from 2025 to 2035, much faster than the 3.5% average for all occupations. The BLS projects about 7,500 openings each year, from growth and from workers leaving the occupation.
Do you need a degree to become an operations research analyst?
The BLS lists the typical entry-level education for operations research analysts as a bachelor's degree, so a college degree is usually expected.
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