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Operations Research Analysts in Massachusetts

Want to work as an Operations Research Analysts in Massachusetts? Here’s what you need to know. 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.

What do Operations Research Analysts Make in Massachusetts?

For a operations research analysts working in Massachusetts, the typical annual salary is $90,030 per year (or roughly $43.28/hour).Annual wages span from $66,390 at the 10th percentile to $144,900 at the 90th percentile.

Wage Statistic	Annual	Hourly
10th percentile	$66,390	$31.92
25th percentile	$77,150	$37.09
Median (50th)	$90,030	$43.28
75th percentile	$113,290	$54.47
90th percentile	$144,900	$69.66

The location quotient — a measure of how concentrated this occupation is in Massachusetts relative to the national average — is 1.91, indicating that operations research analysts are more concentrated here than the national average.

National Wage Comparison

Nationally, operations research analysts earn a median of $83,596 per year ($40.19/hour), exceeding the Massachusetts median.

Employment Outlook

Nationally, total employment in this occupation is 276,629 operations research analysts nationwide. In Massachusetts alone, around 4,860 people work in this role. That’s higher than the typical state, which employs around 1,090 operations research analysts.

Top Massachusetts Metros for Operations Research Analysts

The largest metro-area employers of operations research analysts in Massachusetts.

Metro Area	Number Employed	Annual Median Salary
Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH	4,110	$92,470
Worcester, MA	230	$82,110
Amherst Town-Northampton, MA	100	$77,590
Springfield, MA	100	$80,820

Top States for Operations Research Analysts Employment

View the states that employ the most operations research analysts work.

State	Number Employed
Texas	12,240
California	11,030
Florida	8,230
Virginia	6,320
New York	6,020
Illinois	5,020
Massachusetts	4,860
Georgia	4,450
Maryland	4,280
Wisconsin	4,080
Pennsylvania	3,030
Ohio	2,970
Washington	2,850
New Jersey	2,630
Oregon	2,590
North Carolina	2,520
District of Columbia	2,190
Arizona	2,170
Missouri	2,010
Indiana	1,660

Highest-Paying States for Operations Research Analysts

These states pay the most for operations research analysts.

State	Annual Median Salary
Virginia	$123,050
Alabama	$117,540
District of Columbia	$115,980
New York	$109,440
Vermont	$108,800
Ohio	$104,610
Colorado	$104,560
Illinois	$102,750
New Jersey	$101,220
Delaware	$101,210

Skills

The most important operations research analysts skills, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:

Knowledge Areas

Key knowledge areas for this occupation, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:

Abilities

Key abilities for operations research analysts, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:

Daily Tasks

Day-to-day, operations research analysts typically:

• 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.
• Study and analyze information about alternative courses of action to determine which plan will offer the best outcomes.
• Collaborate with senior managers and decision makers to identify and solve a variety of problems and to clarify management objectives.
• Specify manipulative or computational methods to be applied to models.
• Design, conduct, and evaluate experimental operational models in cases where models cannot be developed from existing data.

Work Activities

• Getting Information
• Making Decisions and Solving Problems
• Analyzing Data or Information
• Working with Computers
• Processing Information
• Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events
• Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others
• Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge
• Thinking Creatively
• Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
• Developing Objectives and Strategies
• Providing Consultation and Advice to Others

Tools & Technology

Common tools and software used in this occupation include: Hot technologies: Amazon Redshift, Apache Hadoop, Apache Hive, Apple macOS, Bash, C In-demand technologies: Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Office software

Related Careers

Related occupations to operations research analysts include:

• Logistics Engineers
• Project Management Specialists
• Management Analysts
• Financial Risk Specialists
• Financial Quantitative Analysts
• Computer Systems Analysts

Also Known As

Advanced Analytics Associate, Analytical Strategist, Analytics Consultant, Business Analyst, Business Operations Analyst, Business Process Analyst, Continuous Improvement Specialist, Decision Analyst, Decision Support Analyst, File System Installer, Forms Analyst, Liaison Planner, Material Liaison, Methods Analyst, Methods Consultant.

References

• U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics — https://www.bls.gov/oes/
• O*NET Online — https://www.onetonline.org/
• BLS Employment Projections — https://www.bls.gov/emp/
• O*NET-SOC code: 15-2031.00