Careers / Operations Research Analysts
Operations Research Analysts — Career Decision Dashboard
United States
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Report generated from official BLS OEWS and O*NET data — United States.
Median annual wage
$88,940
United States, 2025
Employment
108,510
United States, 2025
Typical education
Master's Degree
Job Zone 5
Skills identified
35
10 related careers
Career overview
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.
- O*NET code
- 15-2031.00
- Job zone
- 5
- Experience required
- Over 1 year, up to and including 2 years
Typical tasks
- Present the results of mathematical modeling and data analysis to management or other end users.
- Define data requirements, and gather and validate information, applying judgment and statistical tests.
- Perform validation and testing of models to ensure adequacy, and reformulate models, as necessary.
- Prepare management reports defining and evaluating problems and recommending solutions.
- Collaborate with others in the organization to ensure successful implementation of chosen problem solutions.
- Formulate mathematical or simulation models of problems, relating constants and variables, restrictions, alternatives, conflicting objectives, and their numerical parameters.
- Observe the current system in operation, and gather and analyze information about each of the component problems, using a variety of sources.
- Analyze information obtained from management to conceptualize and define operational problems.
Choose a location
Salary analysis — United States
10th percentile
$57,060
25th percentile
$68,360
75th percentile
$125,990
90th percentile
$159,910
Most important skills
- Mathematics4.5
- Complex Problem Solving4.1
- Writing4.0
- Speaking4.0
- Critical Thinking4.0
- Reading Comprehension4.0
- Active Listening4.0
- Active Learning3.9
- Systems Analysis3.9
- Judgment and Decision Making3.9
- Systems Evaluation3.9
- Operations Analysis3.8
What skills do you need?
Select the skills you already have
Skills listed are those O*NET rates at importance 3.0 or above for this occupation. Set your own level on the same 0–7 O*NET scale.
Skill coverage
0%
0 of 17 identified skills
Matched
0
Missing
17
Your selected skills cover approximately 0% of the skills identified for this occupation in O*NET. This is a coverage measure of listed skills only — it is not a qualification, hiring or interview outcome.
Skills to develop
| Skill | Importance | Required level | Your level | Gap |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mathematics | 4.5 | 4.9 | Not selected | 4.9 |
| Complex Problem Solving | 4.1 | 4.5 | Not selected | 4.5 |
| Reading Comprehension | 4.0 | 4.3 | Not selected | 4.3 |
| Judgment and Decision Making | 3.9 | 4.4 | Not selected | 4.4 |
| Systems Evaluation | 3.9 | 4.3 | Not selected | 4.3 |
| Critical Thinking | 4.0 | 4.1 | Not selected | 4.1 |
| Writing | 4.0 | 4.0 | Not selected | 4.0 |
| Speaking | 4.0 | 4.0 | Not selected | 4.0 |
| Active Listening | 4.0 | 4.0 | Not selected | 4.0 |
| Active Learning | 3.9 | 4.1 | Not selected | 4.1 |
| Operations Analysis | 3.8 | 4.3 | Not selected | 4.3 |
| Systems Analysis | 3.9 | 3.9 | Not selected | 3.9 |
| Science | 3.3 | 3.3 | Not selected | 3.3 |
| Coordination | 3.1 | 3.1 | Not selected | 3.1 |
| Time Management | 3.1 | 3.0 | Not selected | 3.0 |
| Learning Strategies | 3.0 | 3.0 | Not selected | 3.0 |
| Instructing | 3.0 | 3.0 | Not selected | 3.0 |
Ordered by required level gap multiplied by O*NET importance. No prediction or recommendation is implied.
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Compare with Operations Research AnalystsHow salary varies by location
| Location | Median | Employment | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Colorado Springs, CO | $140,590 | 170 | 2025 |
| Lexington Park, MD | $135,300 | 390 | 2025 |
| Huntsville, AL | $132,000 | 350 | 2025 |
| CO | $129,880 | 770 | 2025 |
| VA | $129,460 | 6,980 | 2025 |
| Peoria, IL | $129,300 | 130 | 2025 |
| Denver, CO | $127,810 | 490 | 2025 |
| Washington, DC | $127,600 | 8,080 | 2025 |
| San Jose, CA | $123,360 | 920 | 2025 |
| Dayton, OH | $122,570 | 410 | 2025 |
| Bakersfield, CA | $119,020 | 80 | 2025 |
| Panama City, FL | $118,810 | 80 | 2025 |
| York, PA | $117,740 | 30 | 2025 |
| Crestview, FL | $115,920 | 240 | 2025 |
| AL | $115,630 | 550 | 2025 |
| Las Cruces, NM | $114,150 | 130 | 2025 |
| Virginia Beach, VA | $114,070 | 470 | 2025 |
| San Francisco, CA | $110,560 | 2,050 | 2025 |
| Richmond, VA | $109,650 | 1,020 | 2025 |
| New Haven, CT | $109,540 | 80 | 2025 |
Career transition paths
Compare the skills of a career you hold today with Operations Research Analysts to see shared skills, target-only skills and skill overlap.
Build a transition comparisonCareer and skills data: O*NET 31.0.
Salary and employment data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, 2025 (May 2025 release).
Figures are periodic published survey snapshots, not real-time market rates.