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Occupation · SOC 15-2031

Operations Research Analysts

There are 108,510 jobs in the U.S. Median pay is $88,940 a year. The most jobs are in Washington–Arlington–Alexandria, DC–VA–MD–WV.

Computer & MathTypical education: Bachelor's degree
108,510
Jobs in the U.S.
People employed, May 2025
$88,940
Median pay a year
Middle half: $68,360–$125,990
7,500
Annual openings
10-year change: +11.9%
6,865
LCA filings, last 4 quarters
−2.4% from the prior 4 quarters

Metro areas with the highest employment

10 of 185 metro areas with BLS data for this occupation. LCA filings: Apr 2025–Mar 2026.

Metro areaEmploymentMedian payLCA filings
Washington–Arlington–Alexandria, DC–VA–MD–WVMedian pay $127,600 · LCA filings 1908,080$127,600190
New York–Newark–Jersey City, NY–NJMedian pay $103,110 · LCA filings 1,3656,890$103,1101,365
Dallas–Fort Worth–Arlington, TXMedian pay $106,380 · LCA filings 6004,270$106,380600
Chicago–Naperville–Elgin, IL–INMedian pay $86,500 · LCA filings 4293,680$86,500429
Los Angeles–Long Beach–Anaheim, CAMedian pay $98,270 · LCA filings 2813,480$98,270281
Boston–Cambridge–Newton, MA–NHMedian pay $100,700 · LCA filings 3153,420$100,700315
Atlanta–Sandy Springs–Roswell, GAMedian pay $77,510 · LCA filings 3393,250$77,510339
Houston–Pasadena–The Woodlands, TXMedian pay $86,380 · LCA filings 1642,500$86,380164
Baltimore–Columbia–Towson, MDMedian pay $94,440 · LCA filings 222,350$94,44022
Seattle–Tacoma–Bellevue, WAMedian pay $102,930 · LCA filings 5642,110$102,930564

Metro areas with the highest median pay

Median pay for this occupation in each metro area, May 2025.

Metro areaMedian payEmploymentLCA filings
Colorado Springs, COEmployment 170 · LCA filings 0$140,5901700
Lexington Park, MDEmployment 390 · LCA filings 0$135,3003900
Huntsville, ALEmployment 350 · LCA filings 1$132,0003501
Peoria, ILEmployment 130 · LCA filings 2$129,3001302
Denver–Aurora–Centennial, COEmployment 490 · LCA filings 29$127,81049029

Metro areas with the most LCA filings

Labor Condition Applications filed by employers with the U.S. Department of Labor, Apr 2025–Mar 2026. They’re used in the H-1B process and show filing history, not hires or current job openings.

Metro areaLCA filingsEmployers with LCA filingsEmployment
New York–Newark–Jersey City, NY–NJEmployers with LCA filings 480 · Employment 6,8901,3654806,890
San Jose–Sunnyvale–Santa Clara, CAEmployers with LCA filings 211 · Employment 920670211920
San Francisco–Oakland–Fremont, CAEmployers with LCA filings 245 · Employment 2,0506222452,050
Dallas–Fort Worth–Arlington, TXEmployers with LCA filings 193 · Employment 4,2706001934,270
Seattle–Tacoma–Bellevue, WAEmployers with LCA filings 140 · Employment 2,1105641402,110

Prevailing wage levels (H-1B and PERM)

The minimum yearly wage by level. Level I is entry level and Level IV is fully competent; an H-1B employer must pay at least the level that fits the job.

Metro areaLevel ILevel IILevel IIILevel IV
Washington–Arlington–Alexandria, DC–VA–MD–WVLevel II $102,773 · Level III $128,898 · Level IV $155,043$76,627$102,773$128,898$155,043
New York–Newark–Jersey City, NY–NJLevel II $88,525 · Level III $112,819 · Level IV $137,093$64,251$88,525$112,819$137,093
Dallas–Fort Worth–Arlington, TXLevel II $90,834 · Level III $113,381 · Level IV $135,907$68,307$90,834$113,381$135,907
Chicago–Naperville–Elgin, IL–INLevel II $83,221 · Level III $99,549 · Level IV $115,877$66,893$83,221$99,549$115,877
Los Angeles–Long Beach–Anaheim, CALevel II $85,384 · Level III $104,395 · Level IV $123,406$66,373$85,384$104,395$123,406
Boston–Cambridge–Newton, MA–NHLevel II $91,416 · Level III $107,598 · Level IV $123,802$75,213$91,416$107,598$123,802
Atlanta–Sandy Springs–Roswell, GALevel II $71,053 · Level III $87,131 · Level IV $103,189$54,995$71,053$87,131$103,189
Houston–Pasadena–The Woodlands, TXLevel II $81,182 · Level III $98,654 · Level IV $116,126$63,710$81,182$98,654$116,126
Baltimore–Columbia–Towson, MDLevel II $81,598 · Level III $103,958 · Level IV $126,339$59,218$81,598$103,958$126,339
Seattle–Tacoma–Bellevue, WALevel II $94,411 · Level III $113,443 · Level IV $132,496$75,358$94,411$113,443$132,496
San Jose–Sunnyvale–Santa Clara, CALevel II $107,453 · Level III $128,898 · Level IV $150,342$86,008$107,453$128,898$150,342
San Francisco–Oakland–Fremont, CALevel II $99,715 · Level III $120,141 · Level IV $140,587$79,269$99,715$120,141$140,587

Source: U.S. Department of Labor, OFLC Online Wage Library, July 2026–June 2027.

Related majors

Majors most closely related to this occupation. International graduates: 2024–25 academic year.

MajorInternational graduatesSTEM OPT
Operations ResearchCIP 14.37STEM OPT · up to 36 months920STEM OPT · up to 36 months
Industrial EngineeringCIP 14.35STEM OPT · up to 36 months2,739STEM OPT · up to 36 months
Management Sciences and Quantitative MethodsCIP 52.13STEM OPT · up to 36 months23,353STEM OPT · up to 36 months

See Operations Research Analysts in every metro area

All 185 metro areas, pay in each, related majors, schools in each job market, and employers with LCA filing history.

Employers with LCA filings for this occupation

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Sources: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 · BLS Employment Projections 2025-35 · U.S. Department of Labor LCA disclosure data, Apr 2025–Mar 2026 · IPEDS 2024–25. Prevailing wages: U.S. Department of Labor, OFLC Online Wage Library, July 2026–June 2027. Methodology