Operations Research Analysts Salary
Operations Research Analysts in Iowa make a median of $80,580 a year, or about $38.74 an hour. The range runs from $48K at the entry level to $141K for experienced workers. Cost of living is below average (RPP 88.86), which stretches that salary to about $90,682 in buying power. Rent on a 2-bedroom averages $1,064/month, or 20.9% of estimated take-home pay.
Statewide average. Salary and cost of living vary significantly across Iowa. Jump to a metro for precise data:
So what does $81K get you in Iowa?
About operations research analysts
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What this looks like in Iowa
Operations research analysts pay in Iowa tracks closely to the national median, $81K locally vs. $89K nationwide, a 9% difference. Housing is manageable: a 2-bedroom at the HUD median costs $1,064/month, 21% of take-home, well inside the 30% guideline. Regional Price Parity sits at 88.86 (national = 100), meaning everyday costs run about 11% cheaper here. Your dollar stretches further than the headline salary suggests. Use the affordability calculator above to model your specific situation.
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Iowa
Entry-level operations research analysts (10th percentile) start around $48K. Mid-career wages sit at $81K. Top earners bring in $141K or more, a $93K spread from bottom to top.
Operations Research Analysts salary by metro in Iowa
2 metro areas with BLS data, ranked by median pay
| Metro area | Median salary | vs. state | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Des Moines-West Des Moines | $83K | +4% | 190 |
| Cedar Rapids | $78K | -3% | 40 |
Compare to other states
Track operations research analysts salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Iowa numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
Can a operations research analyst afford a 2BR apartment alone in Iowa?
Yes — at the median salary of $81K, rent takes 21% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $1,064/month. That stays under the 30% guideline most financial planners use.
What’s the entry-level salary for operations research analysts in Iowa?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new operations research analysts typically earn — is $48K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $2,851/month. At HUD’s $1,064/month FMR, rent would take 37% of that take-home — above the 30% guideline, so a 1-bedroom or shared housing is likely necessary starting out.
Is operations research analyst a high-paying job in Iowa?
Pay here is roughly in line with the national average — $81K locally vs. $89K nationally, a 9% difference.
How does Iowa compare to the national average for operations research analysts?
Iowa pays $81K median vs. the U.S. average of $89K — that’s -9%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 88.86), the purchasing-power equivalent is $91K — still ahead of the national median.
How much do operations research analysts make in Iowa?
The median is $80,580 a year, that works out to about $39 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $47,520, and experienced operations research analysts can clear $140,960. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $81K enough to live in Iowa?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $5,076/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,064/month, which eats 21% 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 Iowa?
Iowa has a Regional Price Parity of 88.86 (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 $90,682 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.