Operations Research Analysts Salary
Operations Research Analysts in Alabama make a median of $115,630 a year, or about $55.59 an hour. The range runs from $65K at the entry level to $174K for experienced workers. Cost of living is below average (RPP 88.36), which stretches that salary to about $130,862 in buying power. Rent on a 2-bedroom averages $1,085/month, or 14.8% of estimated take-home pay.
Statewide average. Salary and cost of living vary significantly across Alabama. Jump to a metro for precise data:
So what does $116K get you in Alabama?
About operations research analysts
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What this looks like in Alabama
Alabama sits well above the national pay line for operations research analysts, local pay runs about 30% higher than the U.S. median of $89K. Housing is manageable: a 2-bedroom at the HUD median costs $1,085/month, 15.5% of take-home, well inside the 30% guideline. Regional Price Parity sits at 88.36 (national = 100), meaning everyday costs run about 12% cheaper here. Your dollar stretches further than the headline salary suggests. Combined with manageable housing costs, Alabama offers a genuinely strong financial position for operations research analystss at the median.
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Alabama
Entry-level operations research analysts (10th percentile) start around $65K. Mid-career wages sit at $116K. Top earners bring in $174K or more, a $109K spread from bottom to top.
Operations Research Analysts salary by metro in Alabama
3 metro areas with BLS data, ranked by median pay
| Metro area | Median salary | vs. state | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Huntsville | $132K | +14% | 350 |
| Birmingham | $90K | -22% | 100 |
| Montgomery | $78K | -32% | 30 |
Compare to other states
Track operations research analysts salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Alabama numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
Can a operations research analyst afford a 2BR apartment alone in Alabama?
Yes — at the median salary of $116K, rent takes 15.5% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $1,085/month. That stays under the 30% guideline most financial planners use.
What’s the entry-level salary for operations research analysts in Alabama?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new operations research analysts typically earn — is $65K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $3,890/month. At HUD’s $1,085/month FMR, rent would take 28% of that take-home — manageable on an entry-level income.
Is operations research analyst a high-paying job in Alabama?
Local pay is 30% above the national median — $116K here vs. $89K nationally.
How does Alabama compare to the national average for operations research analysts?
Alabama pays $116K median vs. the U.S. average of $89K — that’s +30%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 88.36), the purchasing-power equivalent is $131K — still ahead of the national median.
How much do operations research analysts make in Alabama?
The median is $115,630 a year, that works out to about $56 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $64,830, and experienced operations research analysts can clear $173,910. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $116K enough to live in Alabama?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $7,010/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,085/month, which eats 15.5% of your paycheck. That's under the 30% guideline most financial planners use, so the numbers work.
How far does a operations research analysts salary go in Alabama?
Alabama has a Regional Price Parity of 88.36 (100 is the national average). That's below average, your money stretches further here than the raw salary number suggests. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median operations research analysts salary is worth about $130,862 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do operations research analysts get paid the most?
The table above ranks every state by median pay for this role. Keep in mind that the highest-paying states tend to have the highest costs of living, so the top salary doesn't always mean the most money in your pocket.