Median Salary
$88,940
per year, national
Hourly Rate
$42.76
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
Top 10% Earn
$159,910
entry level starts ~$57,060
Pay Grade
B+
strong pay · 109,000 employed
How much does an Operation Research Analysts make?
Operations Research Analysts in the United States bring home a median salary of $88,940 a year, or around $42.76 an hour. Pay spans a wide range: the bottom 10% earn under $57,060, while the top 10% earn $159,910.
That is $27,550 more than the median across all occupations in BLS data ($61,390).
Operation Research Analysts salary range by percentile
Half of all Operations Research Analysts earn between $68,360 and $125,990 a year.
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $57,060 | $27.43 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $68,360 | $32.87 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $88,940 | $42.76 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $125,990 | $60.57 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $159,910 | $76.88 |
|
Highest-paying states for Operation Research Analysts
Where you work matters more than almost anything else. Colorado leads the country for Operation Research Analysts pay at $129,880 a year, followed by Virginia ($129,460) and Alabama ($115,630). At the other end, Arkansas posts the lowest median at $59,030 — a gap of $70,850 for the same job, driven by local demand, industry mix, and cost of living.
Operation Research Analysts salary in every state
Official BLS state-level figures across 47 states and territories. Click a state for the full local breakdown.
Colorado $129,880Virginia $129,460Alabama $115,630New York $108,610Ohio $103,620Idaho $103,600Oregon $102,170California $102,100Delaware $101,070Hawaii $100,600Maine $99,460Nebraska $98,300Washington $98,030Maryland $97,410North Carolina $97,290Connecticut $96,700Massachusetts $96,500District of Columbia $96,030Minnesota $95,550Mississippi $92,310Kansas $92,050Texas $90,710Utah $90,200Illinois $89,800Vermont $89,790Alaska $88,750Nevada $86,500Indiana $85,280Kentucky $83,850Michigan $83,480North Dakota $82,460Iowa $80,580Montana $80,400New Mexico $80,360South Carolina $80,240Pennsylvania $79,640Rhode Island $77,910Florida $77,600Tennessee $76,680Georgia $76,220Arizona $75,470Wisconsin $71,820West Virginia $64,100Louisiana $63,210Missouri $62,380Oklahoma $61,520Arkansas $59,030
Workforce and education
About 109,000 people work as Operations Research Analysts in the United States. The mean (average) wage is $99,730 — above the median, which means high earners pull the average up. On qualifications: a master's degree (usually 5 to 6 years of college) is typically required, per O*NET occupation data.
Frequently asked questions
How much does an Operation Research Analysts make in the United States?
The median Operation Research Analysts salary in the United States is $88,940 per year, or about $42.76 per hour, according to U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates. Entry-level pay (10th percentile) starts around $57,060, while the top 10% of earners make $159,910 or more.
How does Operation Research Analysts pay compare to other jobs?
With a pay grade of B+ (strong pay), the Operation Research Analysts median of $88,940 is above the national median across all occupations tracked in BLS data ($61,390).
Which state pays Operations Research Analysts the most?
Colorado is the highest-paying state for Operations Research Analysts, with a median salary of $129,880 per year, based on official state-level BLS wage estimates.
How long does it take to become an Operation Research Analysts?
Becoming an Operation Research Analysts typically requires around 6 years of college. A master's degree (usually 5 to 6 years of college) is typically required.
How many Operations Research Analysts work in the United States?
About 109,000 people were employed as Operations Research Analysts in the United States in the latest BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics estimates.
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Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), Unknown vintage. Education requirements: O*NET (U.S. Department of Labor). Percentiles, employment, and state figures are official BLS estimates; hourly figures assume 2,080 hours/year. Individual pay varies by employer, experience, and location.