Occupational Employment Statistics

DETAILED OCCUPATION DATA

15-2031 Operations Research Analysts

Occupational Description:
Formulate and apply mathematical modeling and other optimizing methods to develop and interpret information that assists management with decision making, policy formulation, or other managerial functions. May collect and analyze data and develop decision support software, service, or products. May develop and supply optimal time, cost, or logistics networks for program evaluation, review, or implementation.

Occupational Employment Statistics(OES) Wage Data
First Quarter 2026

Geography	Employment	Emp SE*	Percentiles
Geography	Employment	Emp SE*	Mean	10th	25th	Median	75th	90th
Minnesota	1,240	84	$49.05/hr	$29.82/hr	$38.37/hr	$47.23/hr	$59.18/hr	$65.82/hr

Leading Industries for Operations Research Analysts

Industry	OES Employment (Statewide)	OES Median Wage (Statewide)
Construction	N/A	N/A
Manufacturing	70	$48.76/hr
Trade, Transportation and Utilities	70	$44.90/hr
Information	60	$50.47/hr
Financial Activities	450	$42.26/hr
Professional and Business Services	520	$47.15/hr
Education and Health Services	30	$53.19/hr
Other Services	N/A	N/A
Public Administration	30	$50.26/hr

Other Regional Data for Operations Research Analysts

Geography	Employment	Median Wage	Projections % Change 2022-2032
Southwest Minnesota	N/A	N/A	-5.6%
Northeast Balance of State	N/A	N/A	N/A
Southwest Balance of State	N/A	N/A	N/A
Grand Forks ND-MN MSA	N/A	N/A	N/A
Mankato-North Mankato MN MSA	N/A	N/A	N/A
Rochester MN MSA	N/A	N/A	N/A
St Cloud MN MSA	N/A	N/A	N/A
Northeast Minnesota	N/A	N/A	18.8%
Central Minnesota	10	$40.98/hr	12.9%
Northwest Minnesota	20	$39.70/hr	21.3%
Southeast Minnesota	20	$41.66/hr	17.9%
Duluth MN-WI MSA	20	$34.86/hr	N/A
Southeast Balance of State	20	$43.02/hr	N/A
Northwest Balance of State	20	$39.70/hr	N/A
Fargo ND-MN MSA	80	$41.58/hr	N/A
La Crosse WI-MN MSA	80	$33.04/hr	N/A
Seven County Mpls-St Paul, MN	1,100	$48.30/hr	22.7%
Minneapolis-St Paul-Bloomington MN-WI MSA	1,140	$47.17/hr	N/A
Minnesota	1,240	$47.23/hr	22.1%

Related Occupations

Occupations	Employment	Median Wage	Projections % Change 2022-2032
Logisticians	3,450	$40.24/hr	19.6%
Actuaries	1,170	$63.31/hr	24.5%
Statistical Assistants	N/A	$28.84/hr	N/A
Statisticians	780	N/A	31.2%
Computer Programmers	2,070	$53.00/hr	-13.4%
Industrial Engineers	17,580	$50.73/hr	16.6%
Economists	500	$51.95/hr	6.1%

Task for Operations Research Analysts

Break systems into their components, assign numerical values to each component, and examine the mathematical relationships between them.
Study and analyze information about alternative courses of action to determine which plan will offer the best outcomes.
Observe the current system in operation and gather and analyze information about each of the parts of component problems, using a variety of sources.
Perform validation and testing of models to ensure adequacy and reformulate models as necessary.
Collaborate with others in the organization to ensure successful implementation of chosen problem solutions.
Analyze information obtained from management to conceptualize and define operational problems.
Define data requirements and gather and validate information, applying judgment and statistical tests.
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.
Break systems into their components, assign numerical values to each component, and examine the mathematical relationships between them.