CAREER

Operations Research Analysts

Overview

Salary Median (2020)

$86,200

Projected Job Growth (2019-2029)

+24.8% (much faster than the average)

Most Common Level of Education

Bachelor's degree

Career

What Operations Research Analysts 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.

Other Job Titles Operations Research Analysts May Have

Advanced Analytics Associate, Analytical Strategist, Decision Analyst, Operations Research Analyst, Optimization Analyst

How Leaders Describe a Typical Day at Work

Contributions Specialist ,

Capital One

I support users of our online grant-making and volunteer system for the whole Capital One company. I run grant and volunteerism reporting, trend reporting, reverse lookup participation reporting. I communicate the implications of data trends to Sr. leadership to help guide direction of overall program. I monitor processes for root cause analysis and improvement.

Operations Analyst ,

Taco Bell

I’m on the Food Ops Team, so I work with everything food. We have a three-step process—discover, design, and deliver—and operations gets brought along for the whole ride. After a crazy menu item (like the quesalupa) is “discovered,” we act as the voice of reason to make sure our restaurants can realistically execute these items using their back-of-house hardware. We do a lot of testing to make sure the item’s soundproof, then once we feel it’s ready, we send it out to our restaurants.


Tasks & Responsibilities May Include

  • Formulate mathematical or simulation models of problems, relating constants and variables, restrictions, alternatives, conflicting objectives, and their numerical parameters.
  • Perform validation and testing of models to ensure adequacy and reformulate models as necessary.
  • Collaborate with senior managers and decision makers to identify and solve a variety of problems and to clarify management objectives.
  • Present the results of mathematical modeling and data analysis to management or other end users.
  • Collaborate with others in the organization to ensure successful implementation of chosen problem solutions.

This page includes information from theO*NET 26.1 Databaseby the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under theCC BY 4.0license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.