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.
Operations Research Analysts
SOC: 15-2031 O*NET: 15-2031.00
Median Salary
$88,940
per year
Job Growth
🚀 21.5%
Much Faster (2024-2034)
Annual Openings
9.6
projected jobs/year
Education Level
Bachelor's degree plus work experience, or graduate degree
Job Zone 5
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.
What does a Operations Research Analysts do?
How much can you earn?
Entry Level
$57,060
10th percentile
Early Career
$68,360
25th percentile
Median
$88,940
50th percentile
Experienced
$125,990
75th percentile
Top Earners
$159,910
90th percentile
National Salary Distribution
10th
$57,060
25th
$68,360
Middle 50%
MEDIAN
$88,940
Mean: $99,730
75th
$125,990
90th
$159,910
Middle 50% of earners
Median salary
Mean (average)
Key Insights
- •Salary range spans $102,850 from entry level to top earners
- •Middle 50% earn between $68,360 and $125,990
- •Salary spread is 64.8% around the median, showing high variation
- •Total national employment: 108,510 professionals
What's the job outlook?
Job Market Intelligence
Very High Demand
Market demand
Medium Risk
Automation risk
Current Employment
National Employment:112,100
Top Industries
Finance and Insurance24.2%
Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services23.1%
Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services23.1%
10-Year Outlook
Growth Rate:+21.5%
Annual Openings:9,600
Employment Projections
2024 (Current)112,100
Current
2034 (Projected)136,200
+21.5%
+24,100
Employment Change
+21.5%
Growth Rate
10
Year Projection
Growth Category: Much faster than average
Geographic Salary & Employment Data
Explore where Operations Research Analysts professionals work across the United States
Showing 15 of 49 locations
Texas
11,890 jobs$90,7101.21x
California
10,620 jobs$102,1000.84x
Florida
9,120 jobs$77,6001.32x
Virginia
6,980 jobs$129,4602.43x
New York
5,890 jobs$108,6100.87x
Illinois
5,180 jobs$89,8001.22x
Maryland
4,710 jobs$97,4102.44x
Georgia
4,600 jobs$76,2201.35x
Wisconsin
4,270 jobs$71,8202.08x
Massachusetts
4,200 jobs$96,5001.66x
New Jersey
3,280 jobs$01.10x
Pennsylvania
3,220 jobs$79,6400.76x
Washington
3,050 jobs$98,0301.23x
Oregon
2,710 jobs$102,1701.97x
Ohio
2,600 jobs$103,6200.67x
Understanding the Data
Location Quotient (LQ):
- • LQ > 1.0: More jobs than national average
- • LQ = 1.0: Same as national average
- • LQ < 1.0: Fewer jobs than national average
Data Source:
Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025
Key Growth Factors
- •Much faster than average growth expected
- •High current market demand
What skills do you need?
Top 10 Most Important Skills
#1
Mathematics
100%
#2
Mathematics
100%
#3
Mathematical Reasoning
100%
#4
Complex Problem Solving
94%
#5
Inductive Reasoning
92%
#6
Computers and Electronics
90%
#7
Speaking
86%
#8
Deductive Reasoning
82%
#9
Engineering and Technology
80%
#10
Critical Thinking
80%
Skills Overview
Mathematics
advanced5.0
100%
Mathematics
advanced5.0
100%
Mathematical Reasoning
advanced5.0
100%
Complex Problem Solving
advanced4.7
94%
Inductive Reasoning
advanced4.6
92%
Computers and Electronics
advanced4.5
90%
Speaking
intermediate4.3
86%
Deductive Reasoning
intermediate4.1
82%
Skills are rated on a scale of 0-5, with 5 being the most important. The complexity level indicates how advanced the skill typically needs to be.
Filter:
Sort by:
Mathematics
advancedImportance100%
skills
5.0/5.0
Mathematics
advancedImportance100%
knowledge
5.0/5.0
Mathematical Reasoning
advancedImportance100%
abilities
5.0/5.0
Complex Problem Solving
advancedImportance94%
abilities
4.7/5.0
Inductive Reasoning
advancedImportance92%
abilities
4.6/5.0
Computers and Electronics
advancedImportance90%
knowledge
4.5/5.0
Speaking
intermediateImportance86%
skills
4.3/5.0
Deductive Reasoning
intermediateImportance82%
abilities
4.1/5.0
Engineering and Technology
intermediateImportance80%
knowledge
4.0/5.0
Critical Thinking
intermediateImportance80%
abilities
4.0/5.0
Writing
intermediateImportance74%
skills
3.7/5.0
Oral Expression
intermediateImportance74%
abilities
3.7/5.0
Highly Transferable Skills
These skills are valuable across multiple career paths, making career transitions easier:
Actuaries82%
5 shared skills
Agricultural Engineers82%
5 shared skills
Precision Agriculture Technicians82%
5 shared skills
Atmospheric and Space Scientists82%
5 shared skills
Statisticians82%
5 shared skills
Budget Analysts82%
5 shared skills
Skills by Career Stage
Entry Level
Must Have:
- ✓Speaking
- ✓Mathematics
- ✓Computers and Electronics
- ✓Engineering and Technology
Learn on the Job:
- →Active Listening
- →English Language
- →Design
Mid Career
Expected:
- ✓Mathematics
- ✓Speaking
- ✓Mathematics
- ✓Computers and Electronics
- ✓Engineering and Technology
Senior Level
Mastery Required:
- ★Mathematics
- ★Speaking
- ★Mathematics
- ★Computers and Electronics
- ★Engineering and Technology
Skill Development Tips
- •Focus on developing the top 5 skills first - they have the highest impact on career success
- •Transferable skills open doors to related careers and provide flexibility
- •Balance technical skills with soft skills for well-rounded professional development
- •Entry-level positions prioritize foundational skills that can be built upon over time
What technology will you use?
Technology & Digital Skills
Essential technology proficiencies for Operations Research Analysts
Technology Intensity
Very High
Digital Literacy Requirements
This career requires expert digital literacy
1
Basic
2
Intermediate
3
Advanced
4
Expert
Key Digital Competencies:
Advanced software proficiencySystem architecture understandingAutomation and scriptingEmerging technology adaptationTechnical problem-solving
🔥
Hot Technologies in Demand
These technologies are currently trending and highly sought after in this field
IBM SPSS Statistics
🔥 Hot TechSAS
🔥 Hot TechThe MathWorks MATLAB
🔥 Hot TechGitHub
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Power BI
🔥 Hot TechTableau
🔥 Hot TechSplunk Enterprise
🔥 Hot TechSalesforce software
🔥 Hot TechApache Hadoop
🔥 Hot TechApache Hive
🔥 Hot TechTeradata Database
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft SQL Server Reporting Services SSRS
🔥 Hot TechTechnology Stack
Technology Stack Overview
Key technologies used in this career
IBM SPSS Statistics
SAS
The MathWorks MATLAB
GitHub
Microsoft Power BI
Tableau
Splunk Enterprise
Salesforce software
Apache Hadoop
Apache Hive
Teradata Database
Microsoft SQL Server Reporting Services SSRS
📚 Technology Learning Resources
Recommended Certifications
- •Vendor-specific software certifications
- •Industry-recognized technology credentials
- •Professional development courses
Online Learning Platforms
- •LinkedIn Learning - Comprehensive technology courses
- •Coursera - University-level programs
- •Udemy - Practical skills training
💡 Technology Skill Development Tips
- •Focus on mastering hot technologies first - they're currently most in-demand
- •Build a portfolio demonstrating your proficiency with key tools and software
- •Stay current through continuous learning - technology evolves rapidly
- •Consider vendor certifications to validate your skills to employers
What's the work environment like?
🏢
Location
MOSTLY INDOOR
💪
Physical Demand
LOW
👥
Team Orientation
SOME TEAM
🤝
Customer Interaction
OCCASIONAL
💡Is This Work Environment Right for You?
Consider these factors when evaluating if you'll thrive in this work environment:
- •Are you comfortable working in mostly indoor environments?
- •Can you meet low physical demands?
- •Do you enjoy some team team environments?
- •Are you comfortable working with safety protocols and protective equipment?
What are the key tasks?
Tasks & Responsibilities
17
Core Tasks
8
Daily Tasks
20
Work Activities
0
Emerging Tasks
Filter:
Sort by:
General Responsibilities (6)Communication & Coordination (2)Analysis & Evaluation (3)Operations & Execution (1)Planning & Development (4)Management & Supervision (1)
1
Formulate mathematical or simulation models of problems, relating constants and variables, restrictions, alternatives, conflicting objectives, and their numerical parameters.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities100% perform100%
2
Collaborate with others in the organization to ensure successful implementation of chosen problem solutions.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Communication & Coordination97% perform98%
3
Analyze information obtained from management to conceptualize and define operational problems.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Analysis & Evaluation94% perform96%
4
Perform validation and testing of models to ensure adequacy, and reformulate models, as necessary.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Operations & Execution91% perform94%
5
Collaborate with senior managers and decision makers to identify and solve a variety of problems and to clarify management objectives.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Communication & Coordination88% perform92%
6
Define data requirements, and gather and validate information, applying judgment and statistical tests.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities85% perform90%
7
Study and analyze information about alternative courses of action to determine which plan will offer the best outcomes.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Planning & Development82% perform88%
8
Prepare management reports defining and evaluating problems and recommending solutions.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Analysis & Evaluation79% perform86%
9
Break systems into their components, assign numerical values to each component, and examine the mathematical relationships between them.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
General Responsibilities76% perform84%
10
Specify manipulative or computational methods to be applied to models.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
General Responsibilities73% perform82%
💡 Key Takeaways
- •Daily tasks focus primarily on general responsibilities activities
- •41% of tasks are performed by most workers in this occupation
- •Career advancement brings increased leadership and strategic responsibilities
What career paths are available?
Career Pathways
0
Advancement Opportunities
0
Lateral Move Options
0%
Avg. Salary Increase
Advancement Opportunities
Typical career progression paths from Operations Research Analysts
💡 Career Planning Tips
- •Most successful advancement happens after 3-5 years of experience
- •Lateral moves can provide valuable cross-functional experience for future leadership roles
- •Focus on developing skills that are transferable across multiple career paths
- •Consider industry trends when planning long-term career moves
Is this career right for you?
Personality & Values Fit
Is This Career Right for You?
Operations Research Analysts professionals typically have a ICE Holland code and highly value achievement
IInvestigative
CConventional
EEnterprising
Important Personality Traits
Work styles that contribute to success as a Operations Research Analysts
Analytical Thinking
CriticalAnalytical Thinking
Importance Level4.90
Attention to Detail
CriticalAttention to Detail
Importance Level4.62
Integrity
CriticalIntegrity
Importance Level4.52
Initiative
Very ImportantInitiative
Importance Level4.43
Persistence
Very ImportantPersistence
Importance Level4.29
Innovation
Very ImportantInnovation
Importance Level4.29
Complete Work Styles Profile
Analytical Thinking
4.9
Attention to Detail
4.6
Integrity
4.5
Initiative
4.4
Persistence
4.3
Innovation
4.3
Achievement/Effort
4.2
Adaptability/Flexibility
4.1
Dependability
4.0
Independence
4.0
💡 Tips for Career Fit Success
- •While personality fit is important, skills can be developed with practice and training
- •Consider informational interviews to better understand the day-to-day personality requirements
- •Work environments vary by employer - research specific companies for cultural fit
- •Your interests and values may evolve - reassess periodically throughout your career
What education is required?
Education Level
Bachelor's degree plus work experience, or graduate degree
Typical duration: 4 years
Preparation Level
Job Zone 5
Extensive Preparation Needed
Experience Needed
Extensive skill, knowledge, and experience needed
📚 Education Requirement
Required Level:Bachelor's degree plus work experience, or graduate degree
Most of these occupations require graduate school. These may include master's, doctoral, or professional degrees.
Training:
Extensive training and work experience required
💼 Experience Requirement
Extensive skill, knowledge, and experience needed
Common pathways to gain experience:
- • Master's or doctoral degree
- • Extensive work experience in the field
- • State licensure or professional certification
5
Job Zone Five: Extensive Preparation Needed
Most of these occupations require graduate school. These may include master's, doctoral, or professional degrees.
Master's or doctoral degreeExtensive work experience in the fieldState licensure or professional certification
Ready to Start Your Journey?
Explore educational programs that can help you become a Operations Research Analysts.
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