Operations Research Analysts Salary
Operations Research Analysts in North Carolina make a median of $97,290 a year, or about $46.78 an hour. The range runs from $60K at the entry level to $131K for experienced workers. Cost of living is below average (RPP 92.66), which stretches that salary to about $104,997 in buying power. Rent on a 2-bedroom averages $1,284/month, or 20.5% of estimated take-home pay.
Statewide average. Salary and cost of living vary significantly across North Carolina. Jump to a metro for precise data:
So what does $97K get you in North Carolina?
About operations research analysts
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What this looks like in North Carolina
Operations research analysts pay in North Carolina tracks closely to the national median, $97K locally vs. $89K nationwide, a 9% difference. Housing is manageable: a 2-bedroom at the HUD median costs $1,284/month, 21.3% of take-home, well inside the 30% guideline. Regional Price Parity sits at 92.66 (national = 100), meaning everyday costs run about 7% 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, North Carolina
Entry-level operations research analysts (10th percentile) start around $60K. Mid-career wages sit at $97K. Top earners bring in $131K or more, a $71K spread from bottom to top.
Operations Research Analysts salary by metro in North Carolina
5 metro areas with BLS data, ranked by median pay
| Metro area | Median salary | vs. state | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Durham-Chapel Hill | $109K | +12% | 50 |
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia | $105K | +8% | 1,360 |
| Raleigh-Cary | $84K | -14% | 220 |
| Greensboro-High Point | $80K | -17% | 120 |
| Winston-Salem | $78K | -20% | 50 |
Compare to other states
Track operations research analysts salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when North Carolina numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
Can a operations research analyst afford a 2BR apartment alone in North Carolina?
Yes — at the median salary of $97K, rent takes 21.3% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $1,284/month. That stays under the 30% guideline most financial planners use.
What’s the entry-level salary for operations research analysts in North Carolina?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new operations research analysts typically earn — is $60K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $3,611/month. At HUD’s $1,284/month FMR, rent would take 36% 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 North Carolina?
Pay here is roughly in line with the national average — $97K locally vs. $89K nationally, a 9% difference.
How does North Carolina compare to the national average for operations research analysts?
North Carolina pays $97K median vs. the U.S. average of $89K — that’s +9%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 92.66), the purchasing-power equivalent is $105K — still ahead of the national median.
How much do operations research analysts make in North Carolina?
The median is $97,290 a year, that works out to about $47 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $60,180, and experienced operations research analysts can clear $130,980. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $97K enough to live in North Carolina?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $6,038/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,284/month, which eats 21.3% 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 North Carolina?
North Carolina has a Regional Price Parity of 92.66 (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 $104,997 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.