Hiring Operations Research Analysts
Employers across the 85 metro areas we have BLS OEWS wage data for pay operations research analysts a median of $46,570 to $140,590 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025). A search through recruitlocalpros runs Tier I to Tier VI, $6,240 to $54,340, set by seniority, never by location or salary. Our vetted recruiting partner handles sourcing, screening and placement end to end.
What do operations research analysts do?
- 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.
Core tasks, O*NET OnLine, 15-2031.00.
What does it take to become one?
Most of these occupations require graduate school. For example, they may require a master's degree, and some require a Ph.D., M.D., or J.D. (law degree).
Extensive skill, knowledge, and experience are needed for these occupations. Many require more than five years of experience. For example, surgeons must complete four years of college and an additional five to seven years of specialized medical training to be able to do their job.
Employees may need some on-the-job training, but most of these occupations assume that the person will already have the required skills, knowledge, work-related experience, and/or training.
O*NET Job Zone 5, SVP (8.0 and above). O*NET OnLine.
Employers commonly list experience with Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Office software, Microsoft Outlook, Microsoft Power BI, Microsoft PowerPoint, Python for this role.
What do operations research analysts get paid?
BLS OEWS, May 2025 publishes a wage for operations research analysts in 85 of the metro areas in this build. The median ranges from $46,570 to $140,590 a year depending on the metro, with a midpoint of $86,380. This is what employers pay, place of work, not a single national figure and not what any one person takes home.
BLS OEWS, BLS OEWS, May 2025, SOC 15-2031.
What does hiring one cost?
The same as any role: tier, not location or salary, sets the fee. Across all six tiers the published range is $6,240 to $54,340 per search. For scale, the highest published median for operations research analysts in this build is $140,590. A contingency firm hiring at that level would bill roughly $28,118 to $42,177 on the first year salary alone, 20 to 30%.
Frequently asked
- How fast can a operations research analysts search fill?
- 23 to 35 days, 2 to 3x faster than a typical contingency search, per the recruiting provider's published figures.
- What if the hire does not work out?
- A 45-day replacement guarantee, at 50% off a repeat search for the same role.
Price a operations research analysts search
Eight questions about the role. Your tier range appears on screen, with the contingency comparison if you are paying one now.