Operations Research Analysts pay range in Washington
New workers and the lowest-paid 10% earn about $69,910 a year or less, while the top 10% make $194,900 or more. The middle half of operations research analysts in Washington earn between $85,450 and $166,840.
- $70K10th
- $85K25th
- $128KMedian
- $167K75th
- $195K90th
median average · bar = middle 50% of workers · how to read it
| Pay level | Per year | Per month | Per hour* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average | $129,160 | $10,763 | $62.10 |
| Median | $127,600 | $10,633 | $61.35 |
| Entry level (25th percentile) | $85,450 | $7,121 | $41.08 |
| Experienced (75th percentile) | $166,840 | $13,903 | $80.21 |
*Hourly figures assume 2,080 paid hours a year. Hourly to annual salary.
Operations Research Analysts pay in Washington vs. Washington, D.C. and the U.S.
Operations research analysts in Washington earn 12% more than the Washington, D.C. average ($115,120) and 30% more than the U.S. average ($99,730). At the median the gap is +43% against the U.S. median of $88,940.
| Area | Average | Median | 10th pct. | 90th pct. | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Washington | $129,160 | $127,600 | $69,910 | $194,900 | 8,080 |
| Washington, D.C. | $115,120 | $96,030 | $65,550 | $195,190 | 2,250 |
| United States | $99,730 | $88,940 | $57,060 | $159,910 | 108,510 |
State and U.S. rows: BLS statewide and national estimates, May 2025, which include rural areas.
Operations Research Analysts salary after taxes in Washington
On the average salary of $129,160, a single filer in Washington takes home about $91,537 a year, or $7,628 a month and $3,521 every two weeks. Taxes take 29% of gross pay.
The Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area crosses state lines, so take-home pay depends on the state where you work:
| State | Per year | Per month |
|---|---|---|
| Working in WV | $94,520 | $7,877 |
| Working in MD | $93,557 | $7,796 |
| Working in VA | $92,934 | $7,745 |
| Working in DC | $91,537 | $7,628 |
Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and state income tax (2026 rules).
Is Washington a good place for operations research analysts? Pay vs. cost of living
Prices in the Washington area are 9% above the U.S. average (BEA price parity 108.9), so the average $129,160 buys what about $118,622 would buy in a typical U.S. metro. This job pays 1.8 times the median wage of all jobs in Washington ($71,060). A typical home costs $583,013, or 4.5 years of this average salary before tax.
Operations Research Analysts salary in nearby metro areas
- Hagerstown, MD$80,970
- Baltimore, MD$104,180
- Lexington Park, MD$135,050
- Charlottesville, VA$114,830
- York, PA$113,010
- Richmond, VA$105,800
Highest-paying cities for operations research analysts
Colorado Springs, CO pays this job the most of the metro areas we cover ($136,770).
- Colorado Springs, CO$136,770
- Lexington Park, MD$135,050
- Huntsville, AL$130,920
- Denver, CO$129,810
- Washington, DC$129,160
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Operations Research Analysts salary in Washington: questions
How much do operations research analysts make an hour in Washington?
$62.10 an hour on average, and $61.35 at the median (BLS, May 2025).
What is the entry-level operations research analysts salary in Washington?
The lowest-paid 10% earn about $69,910 a year and the 25th percentile is $85,450, a fair guide to starting pay.
What is the operations research analysts take-home pay in Washington?
About $91,537 a year ($7,628 a month) for a single filer on the average salary of $129,160.
Do operations research analysts earn more in Washington than elsewhere?
The average here is 30% more than the U.S. average for this job ($99,730).
Sources and how to read this page
- Wages: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates for metropolitan areas. SOC code 15-2031; area Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV (47900). Relative standard error of the mean wage: 2.5%.
- U.S. and statewide figures: BLS OEWS national and state estimates, May 2025, every employer including rural areas.
- Cost of living: Bureau of Economic Analysis regional price parities (RPP), 2024; 100 = U.S. average.
- Home value: Zillow Home Value Index. Typical-wage figure: OEWS all occupations, same metro.
- Take-home pay: Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and state income tax (2026 rules).
- Job concentration: location quotient 3.69, this job is 3.7 times as concentrated as in the U.S. overall.
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