Your work. Your records.
Operations Research Analyst Workplace Guide
Operations research analysts translate a business question into data requirements and a model that management may use differently from its original scope. An employment timeline should separate the analysis you supplied from the operational decision and its later results.
Call now(800) 800-5555Free initial case evaluation. Representation depends on work state and case eligibility. This guide explains record preparation; it does not determine whether a legal claim exists.
A record map for your role
What to organize first
Scope change
Note when the optimization objective or constraint changed and who approved the revision.
Input limitation
Record the missing or unreliable data you disclosed before presenting a recommendation.
Decision boundary
Distinguish your analytical recommendation from the action selected by management.
Start with the work you actually do
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.
O*NET classifies this occupation as Operations Research Analysts (15-2031.00). Its description covers a typical occupation, not every workplace or individual job. It does not establish employee status, overtime eligibility or employer misconduct.
- Present the results of mathematical modeling and data analysis to management or other end users.Source task 20952 · updated 08/2024
- Define data requirements, and gather and validate information, applying judgment and statistical tests.Source task 7382 · updated 08/2024
- Perform validation and testing of models to ensure adequacy, and reformulate models, as necessary.Source task 7380 · updated 08/2024
- Prepare management reports defining and evaluating problems and recommending solutions.Source task 7384 · updated 08/2024
A reference point for your pay records
May 2025 wage estimates by state
Compare your pay records with published BLS estimates for Operations Research Analysts (SOC 15-2031). These describe an occupation across employers. They are not a required pay rate, an overtime calculation, or evidence of discrimination or unpaid wages.
Select your work state to see its published pay range. No personal pay information is requested or sent.
The 25th and 75th percentiles mark the middle half of the estimated wage distribution; the median is its midpoint. Actual pay can differ with experience, employer, location and duties. Hourly and annual figures are shown as published, without converting one into the other.
All published state estimates for this occupation
| State | Hourly 25th | Hourly median | Hourly 75th | Annual median |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $39.52 | $55.59 | $70.66 | $115,630 |
| Alaska | $29.30 | $42.67 | $50.01 | $88,750 |
| Arizona | $30.97 | $36.28 | $46.21 | $75,470 |
| Arkansas | $23.33 | $28.38 | $38.71 | $59,030 |
| Connecticut | $38.14 | $46.49 | $52.97 | $96,700 |
| Delaware | $37.27 | $48.59 | $62.55 | $101,070 |
| Florida | $28.33 | $37.31 | $49.36 | $77,600 |
| Georgia | $28.90 | $36.64 | $48.95 | $76,220 |
| Hawaii | $39.04 | $48.37 | $68.76 | $100,600 |
| Idaho | $34.49 | $49.81 | $59.83 | $103,600 |
| Indiana | $32.37 | $41.00 | $52.37 | $85,280 |
| Iowa | $29.61 | $38.74 | $60.52 | $80,580 |
| Kansas | $36.12 | $44.26 | $56.64 | $92,050 |
| Kentucky | $32.86 | $40.31 | $50.75 | $83,850 |
| Louisiana | $27.00 | $30.39 | $36.87 | $63,210 |
| Maine | $39.32 | $47.82 | $59.79 | $99,460 |
| Michigan | $35.08 | $40.13 | $53.17 | $83,480 |
| Minnesota | $37.33 | $45.94 | $57.57 | $95,550 |
| Mississippi | $32.34 | $44.38 | $51.12 | $92,310 |
| Missouri | $26.36 | $29.99 | $43.77 | $62,380 |
| Montana | $30.08 | $38.66 | $38.66 | $80,400 |
| Nebraska | $33.96 | $47.26 | $61.67 | $98,300 |
| New Hampshire | Not published | Not published | Not published | Not published |
| New Mexico | $29.61 | $38.63 | $56.90 | $80,360 |
| New York | $37.53 | $52.22 | $71.71 | $108,610 |
| North Carolina | $33.51 | $46.78 | $61.01 | $97,290 |
| North Dakota | $33.72 | $39.65 | $49.12 | $82,460 |
| Ohio | $31.91 | $49.82 | $61.57 | $103,620 |
| Oklahoma | $25.83 | $29.58 | $31.84 | $61,520 |
| Pennsylvania | $30.61 | $38.29 | $49.16 | $79,640 |
| Rhode Island | $30.95 | $37.46 | $48.38 | $77,910 |
| Tennessee | $26.44 | $36.87 | $45.48 | $76,680 |
| Texas | $33.97 | $43.61 | $57.63 | $90,710 |
| Utah | $35.04 | $43.37 | $51.58 | $90,200 |
| Vermont | $36.09 | $43.17 | $49.03 | $89,790 |
| Virginia | $47.92 | $62.24 | $79.92 | $129,460 |
| West Virginia | $28.81 | $30.82 | $37.90 | $64,100 |
| Wisconsin | $28.56 | $34.53 | $39.11 | $71,820 |
“Not published” preserves unavailable or suppressed source cells. “Above reporting limit” preserves a top-coded source value without inventing a number. A missing state estimate does not establish service eligibility. The data describe wage and salary employment; they do not measure self-employment income.
Source: BLS May 2025 state workbook · OEWS tables · BLS technical notes. Use your own schedule, pay statement and compensation terms to identify the question you want reviewed.
Define the agreed question
Record the objective, constraints and success measure provided at the start. Note when a stakeholder changed the decision to be supported or the required data. A model built for one question should not silently be described as designed for a later one.
Document validation and limits
Describe the checks you completed and any missing or uncertain inputs you reported. Keep a recommendation separate from management's choice to adopt, modify or reject it. Record the version under discussion when feedback concerned an unexpected result.
Protect analysis inputs
Do not export customer-level data, financial forecasts, optimization code or restricted reports. Use permitted employment messages and a nonsecret description of model versions. Identify the authorized repository or data owner so relevant records can be located appropriately.
Choose your next step
Review the workplace retaliation guide, unpaid wages guide, or discrimination guide if those concerns fit your experience. A job title alone does not establish a claim.
Call now(800) 800-5555Current service-state coverage
AK, AL, AR, AZ, CT, DE, FL, GA, HI, IA, ID, IN, KS, KY, LA, ME, MI, MN, MO, MS, MT, NC, ND, NE, NH, NM, NY, OH, OK, PA, RI, SD, TN, TX, UT, VA, VT, WI, WV, WY. Eligibility is evaluated individually; this list does not promise representation.
Explore state resources