Information Provided by the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook
Employers generally prefer applicants with at least a masters degree in operations research or management science, or a closely related field such as computer science, engineering, business, mathematics, or information systems. Employment growth is projected to be slower than average, reflecting slow growth in the number of jobs with the title operations research analyst. Individuals with a masters or Ph.D. degree in management science, operations research, or equivalent should have good job opportunities as operations research analysts or in closely related occupations, such as systems analysts, computer scientists, or management analysts.
On average, Operations Research Analysts earn $ 64,650 per year.
Job Opportunities for Operations Research Analysts are expected to:
Increase slower than average.
Operations research and management science are terms that are used interchangeably to describe the discipline of using advanced analytical techniques to make better decisions and to solve problems. The procedures of operations research were first formalized by the military.
A college degree in operations research generally is required. Computer programming skills are essential.
Operations research analysts held about 58,000 jobs in 2006. Major employers include computer systems design firms; insurance carriers and other financial institutions; telecommunications companies; management, scientific, and technical consulting services firms; and Federal, State, and local governments. Most operations research analysts in the Federal Government work for the Department of Defense, and many in private industry work directly or indirectly on national defense.
