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Salary comparison

Operations Research Analysts vs. Computer User Support Specialists: Who Earns More?

Operations Research Analystss out-earn Computer User Support Specialistss by $27K a year at the national median, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Operations Research Analystss land at $88,940 and Computer User Support Specialistss at $61,860. The education gap is real: operations research analyst programs typically require bachelor's degree, while computer user support specialist programs require bachelor's degree. Top-paying state for Operations Research Analystss is Colorado ($129,880); for Computer User Support Specialistss it's District of Columbia ($80,950).

Operations Research Analysts
Computer User Support Specialists
Median salary
$88,940
$61,860
Hourly rate
$42.76/hr
$29.74/hr
Entry level (10th %)
$57,060
$40,980
Senior level (90th %)
$159,910
$100,540
Education required
Bachelor's degree
Bachelor's degree
U.S. employment
108,510
717,190
Job growth (10-year)
21.5%
N/A
Category
Technology
Technology
Top-paying state
Colorado
District of Columbia

Pay by state

States where both occupations have BLS data, sorted by Operations Research Analysts median pay.

State
Operations Research Analysts
Computer User Support Specialists
Colorado
$129,880
$71,900
Virginia
$129,460
$65,040
New York
$108,610
$72,560
Oregon
$102,170
$62,840
California
$102,100
$79,570
Delaware
$101,070
$62,160
Washington
$98,030
$75,220
Maryland
$97,410
$64,750
Connecticut
$96,700
$70,210
Massachusetts
$96,500
$75,070
District of Columbia
$96,030
$80,950
Minnesota
$95,550
$63,630
Vermont
$89,790
$63,030
Alaska
$88,750
$63,110
Rhode Island
$77,910
$62,510

Source: BLS OEWS May 2025. Highlighted value is higher in each row.

Common questions

Who earns more, Operations Research Analystss or Computer User Support Specialistss?

Operations Research Analystss earn more nationally. The median is $88,940 for Operations Research Analystss versus $61,860 for Computer User Support Specialistss, a difference of $27K. Per BLS OEWS May 2025.

Which has better job growth, Operations Research Analysts or Computer User Support Specialists?

BLS Employment Projections data is not available for one or both occupations. Check the individual career pages for current outlook figures.

Which requires more education, Operations Research Analysts or Computer User Support Specialists?

Operations Research Analysts typically requires bachelor's degree. Computer User Support Specialists requires bachelor's degree. Education requirements vary by employer and state licensing board.

Where do Operations Research Analystss get paid the most?

Colorado is the top-paying state for Operations Research Analystss at $129,880/year, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Major metro areas within that state typically pay even more than the state average.

How does Operations Research Analysts vs. Computer User Support Specialists pay differ by state?

The gap varies significantly by state. In Colorado, Operations Research Analystss earn $129,880 vs. $71,900 for Computer User Support Specialistss. See the state comparison table on this page for the full picture.

Full Operations Research Analysts salary breakdownView →Full Computer User Support Specialists salary breakdownView →Best cities for Operations Research Analystss by take-home payExplore →Best cities for Computer User Support Specialistss by take-home payExplore →How to become a operations research analystsGuide →How to become a computer user support specialistsGuide →