Computer and Mathematical · Holland code ICE

Operations Research Analysts

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.

Also called: Analytical Strategist, Operations Research Analyst (Ops Research Analyst), Operations Research Scientist (Ops Research Scientist), Researcher, Advanced Analytics Associate, Decision Analyst, Optimization Analyst.

O*NET 15-2031.00

At a glance

US median annual pay: $88,940; Middle half earn $68,360 to $125,990. BLS OEWS, May 2025.
Most common education: Master's Degree; 43% of workers surveyed by O*NET report this level.
Preparation needed: Job Zone 5 of 5; Extensive preparation. Zone 1 is little or none; zone 5 is graduate-level.
US employment outlook, 2024 to 2034: +21% · Much faster than average; 112,100 jobs in 2024, projected 136,200. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, which groups this with similar roles as "Operations research analysts".

What the work involves

The tasks workers in this occupation rate as most important, from the O*NET survey.

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.
Observe the current system in operation, and gather and analyze information about each of the component problems, using a variety of sources.
Analyze information obtained from management to conceptualize and define operational problems.

Skills and knowledge it leans on

Skills

Mathematics4.5 / 5
Reading Comprehension4.0 / 5
Active Listening4.0 / 5
Writing4.0 / 5
Speaking4.0 / 5
Critical Thinking4.0 / 5

Knowledge areas

Mathematics4.7 / 5
Computers and Electronics4.1 / 5
Engineering and Technology4.0 / 5
Production and Processing3.7 / 5
English Language3.6 / 5
Design3.1 / 5

Importance ratings on O*NET’s 1 to 5 scale. Higher means the occupation depends on it more.

Who tends to enjoy it

How strongly this occupation draws on each of the six Holland interest types, which is the same profile the career interests test compares you against.

Realistic15
Investigative88
Artistic20
Social17
Enterprising36
Conventional79

The same work abroad

Other countries classify jobs differently, so these are the closest matches through the international ISCO-08 standard, not exact equivalents.

European occupation titles (ESCO)

industrial engineer · DE Wirtschaftsingenieur/Wirtschaftsingenieurin · FR ingénieur industriel/ingénieure industrielle
logistics analyst · DE Logistik-Analyst/Logistik-Analystin · FR analyste logistique
logistics engineer · DE Logistikingenieur/Logistikingenieurin · FR ingénieur logistique/ingénieure logistique
budget analyst · DE Haushaltsanalyst/Haushaltsanalystin · FR analyste budgétaire
business analyst · DE Unternehmensanalyst/Unternehmensanalystin · FR analyste de gestion
business consultant · DE Unternehmensberater/Unternehmensberaterin · FR consultant en gestion d’entreprise/consultante en gestion d’entreprise

Closest UK occupation groups (SOC 2020)

Chartered and certified accountants (2421)233,600 employed
Transport and distribution clerks and assistants (4134)69,500 employed
Management consultants and business analysts (2431)245,700 employed

Employment is the UK Annual Population Survey for April 2025 to March 2026, all workers in the group, which can be broader than this one occupation.

Pay across Europe, for the whole group

Median annual earnings of all employees in “Professionals”. This is the broad ISCO group this occupation falls in, not the occupation itself, so treat it as context for the wage level, not as a salary for this job.

Median annual earnings, Professionals, by country
Country	Median pay
Belgium	€61,714
Germany	€59,529
Ireland	€56,877
Austria	€55,374
Netherlands	€53,595
Sweden	€43,567
France	€41,515
Spain	€35,735
Italy	€33,649
Portugal	€26,072
Poland	€14,380

Eurostat Structure of Earnings Survey, businesses with ten or more employees outside public administration, in euro and not adjusted for the cost of living. Reference years differ between sources: the US, Japan and Europe figures on this page come from different survey years, so compare them as rough levels, not to the euro or yen.

Exposure to AI

This occupation sits in the higher third of the 774 occupations scored, with an exposure score of +1.40. The scores are standardized across those occupations, so 0 is the average and a score of 1 is about one standard deviation above it.

Our note on reading it: the dataset links AI applications to the abilities that occupations require, so the score reflects overlap between the two. It is a comparison between occupations, not a forecast about jobs. It does not say whether exposure means tasks are replaced or workers get more done with the tools, and it says little about one employer or one role.

Source: Felten, E., Raj, M., & Seamans, R. (2021). Occupational, industry, and geographic exposure to artificial intelligence: A novel dataset and its potential uses. Strategic Management Journal, 42(12), 2195-2217. Matched to this page by 6-digit SOC code (15-2031).

Is it a fit for you?

Interest is one input, alongside ability, pay and what is hiring near you. The career interests test takes about thirteen minutes and ranks occupations by how closely their profile matches yours.

Take the career interests test