Operations Research Analyst Salary: Your 2026 Guide

Key takeaways

Several factors, including education, work history, and geographic location, can affect the salaries of operations research analysts.

• According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the median annual income for an operations research analyst is $91,290 [1].

• Positions related to operations research analyst include operations research scientist, operations research consultant, and operations manager.

• You can earn a Project Management Professional (PMP) certification to increase your skill set as an operations research analyst.

Discover more about the role and salary prospects of an operations research analyst in the United States. If you’re ready to enhance your skills in this field, enroll in the Strategic Leadership: Impact, Change, and Decision-Making Specialization, where in as little as two months, you can learn about business leadership, collaboration, strategic leadership, time management, and more.

What is an operations research analyst?

Operational research analysts use sophisticated mathematical and analytical tools to support an organization’s decision-making process. Entrusted with gathering, structuring, and analyzing data pertinent to current and potential customers and competitors, operations research analysts help businesses derive actionable insights that enhance operational efficiency. 

What does an operation research analyst do? 

An operations research analyst tackles complex challenges that negatively impact a firm’s operations and overall business health. Through their statistical insights, operations research analysts help businesses assess the potential outcomes of their current course of action and propose alternative solutions to optimize operations. Other common work duties of an operations research analyst include: 

• Preparing comprehensive reports on marketing results and consumer behavior

• Offering guidance on modeling and simulation analytical tools 

• Facilitating and creating partner promotion plans 

Did you know? Several decades ago, the Oklahoma City Police Department collaborated with a team of operations research specialists to identify two prime sites for building police briefing stations. In the years preceding the construction, patrol personnel had to make a significant number of trips to their downtown headquarters, resulting in substantial travel time (20,500 hours per year) during shift changes [2].

What is the average salary of an operations research analyst?

According to the BLS, the median annual income for an operations research analyst is $91,290 [1]. According to multiple job listing sites, the annual income for an operations research analyst ranges from $67,563 to $132,000. The following table lists the salary ranges provided by each site.

*Glassdoor salary information represents the median total pay as of February 2026. This figure includes base salary and additional pay, which may represent profit-sharing, commissions, bonuses, or other compensation.

Factors impacting operations research analyst salary

Several factors, including educational background, work history, industry specialization, and geographical location, affect the salary for operations research analysts. Let's explore each of these factors in greater detail below.

Education

According to Zippia, the average annual salary for operations research analysts with a master's degree is $87,628, a bachelor's degree at $77,015, and a doctorate at approximately $92,251 [7].

The majority of operations research analysts, around 67 percent, hold a bachelor's degree, while approximately 22 percent have a master's degree, and 5 percent possess an associate degree [7].

According to Zippia, about 16 percent of operations research analysts major in mathematics, making it the most prevalent field of study. Business, industrial engineering, and operations research are among other common majors [7].

Read more: What Can You Do With a Math Degree? 8 In-Demand Jobs

Certification

Certifications validate your expertise and open doors to a wider range of job roles and projects within your field. The following are some industry-recognized certifications that can exemplify your commitment to continuous learning as an operations research analyst:

• Certified Business Analysis Professional (CBAP)

• Project Management Professional (PMP)

• Certified Six Sigma Green Belt (CSSGB)

Experience

As your experience grows, so does your marketability and the demand for your skills. This can result in increased compensation as companies are willing to invest in seasoned professionals. Based on data amassed by Glassdoor, the figures below provide an approximate overview of the median total compensation at different experience levels for operations research analysts [6]:

• 0–1 year: $103,000

• 1–3 years: $115,000

• 4–6 years: $131,000

• 7–9 years: $136,000

• 10–14 years: $146,000

• 15 or more years: $165,000

All salary information represents the median total pay from Glassdoor as of February 2026. These figures include base salary and additional pay, which may represent profit-sharing, commissions, bonuses, or other compensation.

Skills

Proficiency in data analysis, process improvement, and operations management can directly impact your yearly earnings as an operations research analyst, according to data compiled by Payscale [4]:

• Program management: 30 percent

• Strategic planning: 29 percent

• Agile software development: 28 percent

• Data visualization: 20 percent

• Alteryx designer: 18 percent

• SAP enterprise resource planning (ERP): 16 percent

• Network management/administration: 15 percent

• Business intelligence: 11 percent

• Human resources (HR): 10 percent

• Implementation analysis: 10 percent

Location

Your earnings can vary considerably depending on the geographical location of your employment. For instance, cities with strong economic growth, thriving industries, and a high concentration of businesses often offer higher salaries to attract and retain talent. Silicon Valley, located in the southern San Francisco Bay Area, is a case in point. 

Highest-paying cities for operations research analyst

Some of the top-paying cities for operations research analysts in the United States, according to Zippia, include [5]:

• Washington, DC: $99,687

• Hoboken, NJ: $93,578

• San Francisco, CA: $92,441

• Arlington, VA: $87,659

• Seattle, WA: $87,565

• Evanston, IL: $86,293

• New York, NY: $86,034

Industry 

The salary structures for operations research analysts can differ across industries and job markets. Certain industries, such as government departments, information technology, and finance, tend to offer higher salaries due to the demand for specialized skills in improving operational efficiency.

Highest-paying industries for operations research analysts 

The list below highlights top-paying industries for operations research analysts in the United States, according to Glassdoor [6]: 

• Financial services: $133,329 

• Government and public administration: $123,013

• Media and communication: $119,666

• Human resources and staffing: 119,238

• Information technology: $118,497

All salary information represents the median total pay from Glassdoor as of February 2026. These figures include base salary and additional pay, which may represent profit-sharing, commissions, bonuses, or other compensation.

Other common industries

From facilitating supply chains to optimizing advertising campaigns, operations research analyst roles are also important in the retail and transportation industries. The median total compensation offered by each of these industries is summarized below [6]:

• Aerospace and defense: $119,000

• Transportation and logistics: $122,000

All salary information represents the median total pay from Glassdoor as of February 2026. These figures include base salary and additional pay, which may represent profit-sharing, commissions, bonuses, or other compensation.

Company

A company's financial performance can impact its ability to offer lucrative salaries. For example, financially sound companies often invest in employee development programs, training opportunities, and performance-based bonuses, contributing to higher individual pay packages. 

Job titles related to operations research analyst

The following job titles might serve as stepping stones should you wish to pursue a career as an operations research analyst.

All salary information represents the median total pay from Glassdoor as of February 2026. These figures include base salary and additional pay, which may represent profit-sharing, commissions, bonuses, or other compensation.

Operations research scientist 

Median annual total salary (Glassdoor): $184,000 [8]

As an operations research scientist, your responsibilities include identifying gaps in scientific data, devising and executing research protocols, and sharing your insights through publications. 

Additionally, you may collaborate with fellow scientists on joint research projects. 

Operations research consultant

Median annual total salary (Glassdoor): $154,000 [9]

As an operations research consultant, you will conduct extensive research on intricate subjects and gather business intelligence for competitive analysis or market research. You may opt for an independent contractor role as a consultant, offering your expertise and services to clients on a project basis.

Operations manager

Median annual total salary (Glassdoor): $105,000 [10]

As an operations manager, you will oversee your firm’s core operations, manage budgets, and ensure project delivery. Furthermore, you may assist firms in their production planning endeavors.

Job outlook: Is an operations research analyst a good career?

The BLS predicts a 21 percent growth in job openings for operations research analysts between 2024 and 2034 [1]. The bureau’s average projection indicates roughly 9,600 job openings annually [1].

Explore our free resources and networking opportunities

Subscribe to our Career Chat newsletter on LinkedIn for industry insights, skill-building tips, and networking opportunities. Then, explore some of our free resources:

• Watch on YouTube: How IBM’s Data Analyst Professional Certificate Enables Operations Managers, Engineers, & Analysts

• Learn related terminology: Project Management Terms and Definitions

• Earn helpful certifications: 5 Project Management Certifications to Know

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