Operations Research Analyst Salary in 2026
How Much Do Operations Research Analysts Make?
Operations Research Analysts earn a median annual salary of $91,290 as of 2026, based on BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) data. Wages span from $53,910 at the 10th percentile to $159,280 at the 90th percentile — a range of $105,370. The highest-paying state is Virginia at $123,050.
| Percentile | Annual salary |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $53,910 |
| 25th percentile | $66,910 |
| Median (50th) | $91,290 |
| 75th percentile | $124,120 |
| 90th percentile | $159,280 |
Operations Research Analyst Salary by State
Median annual salary across all 50 states. Click a column to sort.
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Virginiatop | $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 |
| Missouri | $55,640 |
Highest-Paying Metros for Operations Research Analysts
Operations Research Analyst Salary by Experience
Estimated salary ranges derived from BLS wage percentiles. Entry level corresponds to P10–P25, mid-career to the median, experienced to P75, and senior to P90+.
| Experience level | Estimated salary |
|---|---|
| Entry level (0–2 yrs) | ~$53,910 – $66,910 |
| Mid career (3–7 yrs) | ~$91,290 |
| Experienced (8–15 yrs) | ~$124,120 |
| Senior (15+ yrs) | $159,280+ |
How to Earn More as an Operations Research Analyst
Location is the single biggest salary lever: Operations Research Analysts in Northeast Virginia nonmetropolitan area earn $153,340 — $62,050 above the national median. An advanced credential — such as a graduate degree or specialized certification — is consistently associated with higher earnings in this field. Reaching the 75th percentile ($124,120) typically requires 5–10 years of experience plus specialization in a high-demand area.
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Operations Research Analyst Salary vs Similar Careers
| Career | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Operations Research Analystthis career | $91,290 |
| Logistics Engineer | $80,880 |
| Management Analyst | $101,190 |
| Financial Quantitative Analyst | $80,190 |
| Computer Systems Analyst | $103,790 |
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SOC: 15-2031.00 · Data: BLS OEWS 2026, O*NET 29.1 · Salary figures are national medians unless otherwise noted.