Updated May 2026 · BLS OEWS 2025 reference period
Top 10% Operations Research Analyst Salary (2026)
The top 10% of operations research analysts earn $156,404 or more per year as of 2026, based on the 90th percentile of Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS wage data — the threshold at which only 10% of workers in this occupation earn more. Across U.S. metros, the 90th percentile ranges from $84,330 (lowest-paying metro) to $201,930 (highest-paying metro).
This page answers a common U.S. wage question: Top 10% Operations Research Analyst Salary (2026). The answer draws on BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) — the federal survey that captures wages for over 800 occupations across every U.S. metropolitan area. Why BLS OEWS data is the right anchor: alternative wage sources (Glassdoor, levels.fyi, Payscale) are self-reported and skew toward specific roles, industries, or geographies. BLS OEWS is employer-reported, mandatory for businesses above the survey threshold, and uniformly applied across occupations and metros.
The detailed answer below uses the BLS numbers, explains how to read them, and translates the statistical detail into the worker-relevant interpretation of the question.
90th percentile across U.S. metros, employment-weighted
What This Pay Level Means
The 90th percentile is the BLS-published wage below which 90% of workers in this occupation earn — i.e., the wage above which only the top 10% earn. Workers in this band are typically principals, directors, senior managers, or highly-specialized individual contributors at top-paying employers. Reaching this band usually requires 15+ years of experience plus deep specialization, or a move to a top-paying metro.
Most senior and management operations research analysts earn at the 75th-to-90th percentile band. The median (50th percentile) is the right anchor for typical workers; the 75th percentile fits experienced specialists. See "Senior operations research analyst salary" for the 75th-percentile band.
Top-Paying Metros at This Level
| Metro | Top Pay |
|---|---|
| San Jose, CA | $201,930 |
| Dallas, TX | $201,080 |
| Washington, DC | $194,900 |
| Baltimore, MD | $184,100 |
| Denver, CO | $182,530 |
What the Numbers Tell You
Geographic pay spread for Operations Research Analysts is unusually wide — top metros pay roughly 2.6× what the lowest-paying metros pay, a $86,860 gap. Most of that variation tracks cost of living, regional industry concentration, and the depth of senior workers in each market.
Operations Research Analyst is a smaller occupation, with about 77,630 workers tracked. Individual employers can move the local market noticeably.
Other Pay Levels for Operations Research Analysts
Each percentile band targets a distinct experience level — see the dedicated page for your career stage:
- Entry-level operations research analyst salary →
- Junior operations research analyst salary →
- How much do operations research analysts make →
- Senior operations research analyst salary →
How This Salary Is Calculated
Wages come from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics' Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) program — an annual survey of about 1.2 million U.S. establishments published by Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) code and Metropolitan Statistical Area. The figure on this page is employment-weighted across 68 BLS-tracked metros for SOC code 15-2031. The mapping from BLS percentiles to experience bands (entry / junior / mid / senior / top 10%) follows the convention used by the U.S. Department of Labor's prevailing wage system. See full methodology.
Frequently Asked Questions
Top 10% Operations Research Analyst Salary (2026)?
The top 10% of operations research analysts earn $156,404 or more per year as of 2026, based on the 90th percentile of Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS wage data — the threshold at which only 10% of workers in this occupation earn more. Across U.S. metros, the 90th percentile ranges from $84,330 (lowest-paying metro) to $201,930 (highest-paying metro).
How does this percentile compare to the median?
Operations Research Analysts have a national median (50th percentile) of $90,762. The 90th percentile shown on this page ($156,404) is 72% above the median — typical for this experience band.
Where do operations research analysts at this level earn the most?
San Jose, CA pays the highest at this percentile band — $201,930. Lowest-paying tracked metro: Oklahoma City, OK at $84,330.
What years of experience does this percentile represent?
The 90th percentile is the BLS-published wage below which 90% of workers in this occupation earn — i.e., the wage above which only the top 10% earn. Workers in this band are typically principals, directors, senior managers, or highly-specialized individual contributors at top-paying employers. Reaching this band usually requires 15+ years of experience plus deep specialization, or a move to a top-paying metro.
Where does this operations research analyst salary data come from?
Every wage figure comes from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics' Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) program at bls.gov/oes — an annual federal survey of more than 1 million U.S. employers. The percentile figure on this page is employment-weighted across BLS-tracked metros.
The top 10% of operations research analysts earn $156,404 or more per year as of 2026, based on the 90th percentile of Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS wage data — the threshold at which only 10% of workers in this occupation earn more. Across U.S. metros, the 90th percentile ranges from $84,330 (lowest-paying metro) to $201,930 (highest-paying metro).