Operations Research Analysts Salary
Operations Research Analysts in Montana make a median of $80,400 a year, or about $38.66 an hour. The range runs from $62K at the entry level to $100K for experienced workers. Adjusted for local prices (RPP 97), that's roughly $82,887 in purchasing power. Rent on a 2-bedroom averages $1,129/month, or 22.2% of estimated take-home pay.
Statewide average. Salary and cost of living vary significantly across Montana. Jump to a metro for precise data:
So what does $80K get you in Montana?
About operations research analysts
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What this looks like in Montana
Operations research analysts pay in Montana tracks closely to the national median, $80K locally vs. $89K nationwide, a 10% difference. Housing is manageable: a 2-bedroom at the HUD median costs $1,129/month, 22.1% of take-home, well inside the 30% guideline. Cost of living (RPP 97) is near the national average, so spending patterns here track the typical American budget fairly closely. Use the affordability calculator above to model your specific situation.
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Montana
Entry-level operations research analysts (10th percentile) start around $62K. Mid-career wages sit at $80K. Top earners bring in $100K or more, a $38K spread from bottom to top.
Operations Research Analysts salary by metro in Montana
1 metro area with BLS data, ranked by median pay
| Metro area | Median salary | vs. state | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Helena | $80K | +0% | 100 |
Compare to other states
Track operations research analysts salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Montana numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
Can a operations research analyst afford a 2BR apartment alone in Montana?
Yes — at the median salary of $80K, rent takes 22.1% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $1,129/month. That stays under the 30% guideline most financial planners use.
What’s the entry-level salary for operations research analysts in Montana?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new operations research analysts typically earn — is $62K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $3,705/month. At HUD’s $1,129/month FMR, rent would take 30% of that take-home — manageable on an entry-level income.
Is operations research analyst a high-paying job in Montana?
Pay here is roughly in line with the national average — $80K locally vs. $89K nationally, a 10% difference.
How does Montana compare to the national average for operations research analysts?
Montana pays $80K median vs. the U.S. average of $89K — that’s -10%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 97), the purchasing-power equivalent is $83K — below the national median.
How much do operations research analysts make in Montana?
The median is $80,400 a year, that works out to about $39 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $61,750, and experienced operations research analysts can clear $99,930. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $80K enough to live in Montana?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $5,109/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,129/month, which eats 22.1% 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 Montana?
Montana has a Regional Price Parity of 97 (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 $82,887 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.