Average Salary for Operations Research Analysts
SOC 15-2031 · Computer and Mathematical Occupations · 2024 data
The median annual wage for Operations Research Analysts in the United States is $91,290 ($43.89/hr), based on 2024 BLS OEWS data. Wages range from $53,910 at the 10th percentile to $159,280 at the 90th percentile nationally. An estimated 107,760 people work in this occupation across the country. The national median wage has grown 19.1% since 2014.
Median Annual
$91,290
Mean Annual
$99,120
10th Pct
$53,910
75th Pct
$124,120
Employment
107,760
Salary Distribution
$54k
10th
$67k
25th
$91k
Median
$124k
75th
$159k
90th
Highest Paying Metro Areas
| Metro Area | Median Annual |
|---|---|
| Lexington Park, MD | $135,390 |
| Peoria, IL | $134,500 |
| Colorado Springs, CO | $133,720 |
| Huntsville, AL | $132,620 |
| Burlington-South Burlington, VT | $127,030 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $124,090 |
| Panama City-Panama City Beach, FL | $121,700 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | $118,320 |
| Dayton-Kettering-Beavercreek, OH | $115,950 |
| Crestview-Fort Walton Beach-Destin, FL | $113,730 |
| Las Cruces, NM | $112,670 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $112,550 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $110,000 |
| Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC | $109,860 |
| Columbus, OH | $109,440 |
Salary by State
| State | Median Annual |
|---|---|
| Virginia | $123,050 |
| Alabama | $117,540 |
| District of Columbia | $115,980 |
| New York | $109,440 |
| Vermont | $108,800 |
| Ohio | $104,610 |
| Colorado | $104,560 |
| Illinois | $102,750 |
| New Jersey | $101,220 |
| Delaware | $101,210 |
| Maryland | $100,990 |
| North Carolina | $100,630 |
| Alaska | $99,960 |
| Kansas | $99,740 |
| Oregon | $99,250 |
| Connecticut | $99,210 |
| Hawaii | $97,630 |
| Nebraska | $96,990 |
| California | $96,920 |
| Texas | $96,660 |
| Washington | $96,490 |
| Maine | $90,420 |
| Massachusetts | $90,030 |
| Minnesota | $89,240 |
| Mississippi | $87,550 |
| New Hampshire | $86,380 |
| Rhode Island | $86,120 |
| Indiana | $84,150 |
| Michigan | $84,100 |
| Arizona | $83,500 |
| Utah | $82,230 |
| Nevada | $82,120 |
| Kentucky | $81,760 |
| North Dakota | $80,080 |
| Iowa | $78,140 |
| New Mexico | $77,930 |
| Florida | $77,670 |
| Idaho | $77,460 |
| Pennsylvania | $75,760 |
| Arkansas | $75,650 |
| Tennessee | $75,370 |
| Wisconsin | $74,970 |
| South Carolina | $74,880 |
| Georgia | $73,890 |
| Montana | $71,350 |
| Louisiana | $64,240 |
| West Virginia | $63,760 |
| Oklahoma | $62,510 |
| Puerto Rico | $61,950 |
| Missouri | $55,640 |
Salary by Industry
National median wage for Operations Research Analysts broken down by industry sector, 2024 data.
| Industry | Median Annual |
|---|---|
| Motion Picture and Video Industries | $167,640 |
| Motor Vehicle Manufacturing | $167,370 |
| Federal Executive Branch (OEWS Designation) | $138,490 |
| Federal Government, including the U.S. Postal Service (OEWS Designation) | $136,700 |
| Petroleum and Coal Products Manufacturing | $135,780 |
| Petroleum and Coal Products Manufacturing | $135,780 |
| Engine, Turbine, and Power Transmission Equipment Manufacturing | $133,810 |
| Computer and Peripheral Equipment Manufacturing | $130,350 |
| Local Messengers and Local Delivery | $130,270 |
| Motion Picture and Sound Recording Industries | $128,850 |
| Semiconductor and Other Electronic Component Manufacturing | $127,300 |
| Aerospace Product and Parts Manufacturing | $120,900 |
| Support Activities for Air Transportation | $118,130 |
| Couriers and Messengers | $117,410 |
| Computer and Electronic Product Manufacturing | $117,090 |
| Merchant Wholesalers, Durable Goods (4232, 4233, 4235, 4236, 4237, and 4239 only) | $115,510 |
| Transportation Equipment Manufacturing | $115,200 |
| Merchant Wholesalers, Durable Goods | $114,690 |
| Nonresidential Building Construction | $113,620 |
| Postal Service (Federal Government) | $112,040 |
| Postal Service (Federal Government) | $112,040 |
| Navigational, Measuring, Electromedical, and Control Instruments Manufacturing | $110,800 |
| Support Activities for Mining | $110,450 |
| Support Activities for Mining | $110,450 |
| Management, Scientific, and Technical Consulting Services | $109,820 |
| Spectator Sports | $108,820 |
| Fossil Fuel Electric Power Generation | $107,810 |
| Manufacturing | $107,360 |
| Machinery Manufacturing | $107,290 |
| Amusement, Gambling, and Recreation Industries | $106,840 |
| Natural Gas Distribution | $106,680 |
| Fabricated Metal Product Manufacturing (3321, 3322, 3325, 3326, and 3329 only) | $106,600 |
| Machinery Manufacturing (3331, 3332, 3334, and 3339 only) | $105,960 |
| Research and Development in the Social Sciences and Humanities | $105,940 |
| Web Search Portals, Libraries, Archives, and Other Information Services | $105,850 |
| Web Search Portals, Libraries, Archives, and Other Information Services | $105,850 |
| Motor Vehicle Parts Manufacturing | $105,630 |
| Engineering Services | $104,720 |
| Telecommunications | $104,560 |
| Newspaper Publishers | $104,550 |
| Scheduled Air Transportation | $103,590 |
| Medical and Diagnostic Laboratories | $103,310 |
| Air Transportation | $103,240 |
| Performing Arts, Spectator Sports, and Related Industries | $103,220 |
| Other Food Manufacturing | $102,810 |
| Business Schools and Computer and Management Training | $102,670 |
| Utilities | $102,390 |
| Utilities | $102,390 |
| Architectural, Engineering, and Related Services | $102,090 |
| Chemical Manufacturing | $102,080 |
| Wholesale Trade | $101,800 |
| Wholesale Trade Agents and Brokers | $101,440 |
| Wholesale Trade Agents and Brokers | $101,440 |
| Mining, Quarrying, and Oil and Gas Extraction | $101,050 |
| Scientific Research and Development Services | $101,050 |
| Communications Equipment Manufacturing | $100,860 |
| Oil and Gas Extraction | $100,320 |
| Oil and Gas Extraction | $100,320 |
| Arts, Entertainment, and Recreation | $100,190 |
| Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences | $100,140 |
| Fabricated Metal Product Manufacturing | $100,020 |
| Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | $99,600 |
| Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | $99,600 |
| Electric Power Generation, Transmission and Distribution | $98,500 |
| Construction of Buildings | $98,190 |
| Information | $97,970 |
| Computing Infrastructure Providers, Data Processing, Web Hosting, and Related Services | $97,630 |
| Computing Infrastructure Providers, Data Processing, Web Hosting, and Related Services | $97,630 |
| Pharmacies and Drug Retailers | $97,440 |
| Health and Personal Care Retailers | $97,430 |
| Health and Personal Care Retailers | $97,430 |
| Broadcasting and Content Providers | $97,190 |
| Media Streaming Distribution Services, Social Networks, and Other Media Networks and Content Providers | $97,190 |
| Management of Companies and Enterprises | $96,310 |
| Management of Companies and Enterprises | $96,310 |
| Management of Companies and Enterprises | $96,310 |
| Professional and Commercial Equipment and Supplies Merchant Wholesalers | $95,890 |
| Commercial and Service Industry Machinery Manufacturing | $95,680 |
| Software Publishers | $95,570 |
| Federal, State, and Local Government, excluding State and Local Government Schools and Hospitals and the U.S. Postal Service (OEWS Designation) | $95,240 |
| Federal, State, and Local Government, excluding State and Local Government Schools and Hospitals and the U.S. Postal Service (OEWS Designation) | $95,240 |
| Insurance Agencies and Brokerages | $94,970 |
| Office Administrative Services | $94,360 |
| Wood Product Manufacturing | $94,180 |
| Grain and Oilseed Milling | $93,710 |
| Cross-industry, Private Ownership only | $93,340 |
| Chemical Manufacturing (3251, 3252, 3253, and 3259 only) | $93,310 |
| Other Electrical Equipment and Component Manufacturing | $92,860 |
| Electrical Equipment, Appliance, and Component Manufacturing | $92,860 |
| Local Government, excluding Schools and Hospitals (OEWS Designation) | $91,480 |
| Other Wood Product Manufacturing | $91,390 |
| Transportation and Warehousing | $91,000 |
| Retail Trade | $90,790 |
| Publishing Industries | $90,620 |
| Food Manufacturing | $90,510 |
| Technical and Trade Schools | $90,230 |
| Direct Health and Medical Insurance Carriers | $89,620 |
| Waste Management and Remediation Services | $88,220 |
| Couriers and Express Delivery Services | $86,830 |
| Computer Systems Design and Related Services | $86,370 |
| Junior Colleges | $84,860 |
| Securities, Commodity Contracts, and Other Financial Investments and Related Activities | $84,770 |
| Direct Insurance (except Life, Health, and Medical) Carriers | $84,690 |
| Other Support Services | $84,360 |
| Nondepository Credit Intermediation | $84,350 |
| Travel Arrangement and Reservation Services | $84,260 |
| Federal, State, and Local Government, including State and Local Government Schools and Hospitals and the U.S. Postal Service (OEWS Designation) | $84,150 |
| Beverage and Tobacco Product Manufacturing | $83,940 |
| Credit Intermediation and Related Activities | $83,540 |
| Credit Intermediation and Related Activities (5221 and 5223 only) | $82,920 |
| Finance and Insurance | $82,790 |
| Legal Services | $82,760 |
| Advertising, Public Relations, and Related Services | $82,680 |
| Business Support Services | $82,510 |
| Warehousing and Storage | $82,210 |
| Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | $82,210 |
| Warehousing and Storage | $82,210 |
| Insurance Carriers | $81,960 |
| Grantmaking and Giving Services | $81,850 |
| Insurance Carriers and Related Activities | $81,830 |
| Accounting, Tax Preparation, Bookkeeping, and Payroll Services | $81,580 |
| Local Government, including Schools and Hospitals (OEWS Designation) | $81,270 |
| Sporting Goods, Hobby, Musical Instrument, Book, and Miscellaneous Retailers | $81,140 |
| Medical Equipment and Supplies Manufacturing | $81,070 |
| Miscellaneous Manufacturing | $80,670 |
| Agencies, Brokerages, and Other Insurance Related Activities | $80,560 |
| Testing Laboratories and Services | $80,370 |
| Fabricated Metal Product Manufacturing (3323 and 3324 only) | $80,250 |
| Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services | $80,040 |
| Outpatient Care Centers | $80,030 |
| Plastics and Rubber Products Manufacturing | $79,990 |
| General Medical and Surgical Hospitals | $79,860 |
| Hospitals | $79,800 |
| Administrative and Support Services | $79,710 |
| Plastics Product Manufacturing | $79,510 |
| Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools | $79,160 |
| Religious, Grantmaking, Civic, Professional, and Similar Organizations | $79,060 |
| Printing and Related Support Activities | $78,940 |
| Printing and Related Support Activities | $78,940 |
| Business, Professional, Labor, Political, and Similar Organizations | $78,920 |
| Other Services (except Public Administration) | $78,920 |
| Health Care and Social Assistance | $78,670 |
| Educational Services | $78,080 |
| Employment Services | $78,050 |
| Specialty (except Psychiatric and Substance Abuse) Hospitals | $77,920 |
| Construction | $77,760 |
| Residential Building Construction | $77,760 |
| Other Insurance Related Activities | $77,550 |
| Social Advocacy Organizations | $77,040 |
| Newspaper, Periodical, Book, and Directory Publishers | $76,730 |
| Merchant Wholesalers, Nondurable Goods (4244 and 4248 only) | $76,590 |
| Educational Support Services | $76,340 |
| Merchant Wholesalers, Nondurable Goods (4242 and 4246 only) | $76,180 |
| Merchant Wholesalers, Nondurable Goods | $76,180 |
| Other Ambulatory Health Care Services | $76,170 |
| All Other Ambulatory Health Care Services | $76,120 |
| Ambulatory Health Care Services | $76,040 |
| Other Nondepository Credit Intermediation | $76,030 |
| Support Activities for Transportation | $75,000 |
| Other Miscellaneous Retailers | $74,670 |
| Educational Services | $74,520 |
| Labor Unions and Similar Labor Organizations | $73,520 |
| Funds, Trusts, and Other Financial Vehicles | $73,000 |
| Repair and Maintenance | $72,150 |
| Electronic and Precision Equipment Repair and Maintenance | $72,150 |
| Insurance and Employee Benefit Funds | $71,670 |
| Offices of Physicians | $71,640 |
| Motor Vehicle Body and Trailer Manufacturing | $71,240 |
| Temporary Help Services | $70,670 |
| Sugar and Confectionery Product Manufacturing | $70,650 |
| Accommodation and Food Services | $70,420 |
| Freight Transportation Arrangement | $70,070 |
| Elementary and Secondary Schools | $66,890 |
| Metalworking Machinery Manufacturing | $66,600 |
| State Government, including Schools and Hospitals (OEWS Designation) | $66,060 |
| Psychiatric and Substance Abuse Hospitals | $65,910 |
| Other Miscellaneous Manufacturing | $65,740 |
| Merchant Wholesalers, Nondurable Goods (4241, 4247, and 4249 only) | $65,360 |
| Truck Transportation | $63,390 |
| State Government, excluding Schools and Hospitals (OEWS Designation) | $62,650 |
| Individual and Family Services | $62,250 |
| Social Assistance | $61,190 |
| Security Systems Services | $58,910 |
| Community Food and Housing, and Emergency and Other Relief Services | $57,200 |
| Facilities Support Services | $56,160 |
| Specialty Trade Contractors | $47,980 |
| Investigation, Guard, and Armored Car Services | $47,960 |
| Investigation and Security Services | $47,960 |
| Building Equipment Contractors | $43,280 |
| Electrical Contractors and Other Wiring Installation Contractors | $43,280 |
National Wage Trend
View data table
| Year | Median Annual |
|---|---|
| 2024 | $91,290 |
| 2023 | $83,640 |
| 2022 | $85,720 |
| 2021 | $82,360 |
| 2020 | $86,200 |
| 2019 | $84,810 |
| 2018 | $83,390 |
| 2017 | $81,390 |
| 2016 | $79,200 |
| 2015 | $78,630 |
| 2014 | $76,660 |