Operations Research Analysts Salary in Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA
Operations Research Analysts in Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA make a median of $83,810 a year, or about $40.29 an hour. The range runs from $58K at the entry level to $143K for experienced workers. Prices run high here (RPP 109.9), so that salary is closer to $76,260 in real purchasing power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $4,214/month — about 80.1% of take-home, which is tight.
So what does $84K get you in Santa Cruz-Watsonville?
Groceries, utilities, transportation, and healthcare scaled from national averages by Santa Cruz-Watsonville’s Regional Price Parity (109.9). Rent from HUD Fair Market Rents. Taxes estimated for single filer, standard deduction. * Healthcare is the employee-paid share only (premiums + out-of-pocket). Actual costs vary by coverage type: employer-sponsored, ACA marketplace, or uninsured.
About operations research analysts
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Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA
Entry-level operations research analysts (10th percentile) start around $58K. Mid-career wages sit at $84K. Top earners bring in $143K or more, a $85K spread from bottom to top.
Operations Research Analysts pay across states
Median income ranked highest to lowest, compared to the national figure
| State | Median salary | vs. national | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virginia | $123K | +35% | 6,320 |
| Alabama | $118K | +29% | 500 |
| District of Columbia | $116K | +27% | 2,190 |
| New York | $109K | +20% | 6,020 |
| Vermont | $109K | +19% | 120 |
| Ohio | $105K | +15% | 2,970 |
| Illinois | $103K | +13% | 5,020 |
| New Jersey | $101K | +11% | 2,630 |
| Delaware | $101K | +11% | 600 |
| Maryland | $101K | +11% | 4,280 |
| North Carolina | $101K | +10% | 2,520 |
| Alaska | $100K | +9% | 60 |
| Kansas | $100K | +9% | 550 |
| Oregon | $99K | +9% | 2,590 |
| Connecticut | $99K | +9% | 1,020 |
| Hawaii | $98K | +7% | 110 |
| Nebraska | $97K | +6% | 290 |
| California | $97K | +6% | 11,030 |
| Texas | $97K | +6% | 12,240 |
| Washington | $96K | +6% | 2,850 |
| Maine | $90K | -1% | 360 |
| Massachusetts | $90K | -1% | 4,860 |
| Minnesota | $89K | -2% | 1,300 |
| Mississippi | $88K | -4% | 130 |
| New Hampshire | $86K | -5% | 230 |
| Rhode Island | $86K | -6% | 270 |
| Indiana | $84K | -8% | 1,660 |
| Michigan | $84K | -8% | 1,050 |
| Arizona | $84K | -9% | 2,170 |
| Utah | $82K | -10% | 1,090 |
| Nevada | $82K | -10% | 350 |
| Kentucky | $82K | -10% | 920 |
| North Dakota | $80K | -12% | 140 |
| Iowa | $78K | -14% | 350 |
| New Mexico | $78K | -15% | 500 |
| Florida | $78K | -15% | 8,230 |
| Idaho | $77K | -15% | 500 |
| Pennsylvania | $76K | -17% | 3,030 |
| Arkansas | $76K | -17% | 140 |
| Tennessee | $75K | -17% | 1,240 |
| Wisconsin | $75K | -18% | 4,080 |
| South Carolina | $75K | -18% | 1,210 |
| Georgia | $74K | -19% | 4,450 |
| Montana | $71K | -22% | 160 |
| Louisiana | $64K | -30% | 730 |
| West Virginia | $64K | -30% | 220 |
| Oklahoma | $63K | -32% | 1,510 |
| Missouri | $56K | -39% | 2,010 |
Showing 1–10 of 48 states
BLS does not publish data for every state when sample sizes are too small
Track operations research analysts salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Santa Cruz-Watsonville numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
How much do operations research analysts make in Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA?
The median is $83,810 a year, that works out to about $40 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $58,430, and experienced operations research analysts can clear $143,160. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $84K enough to live in Santa Cruz-Watsonville?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $5,285/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $4,214/month, which eats 79.7% of your paycheck. That's above the 30% rule of thumb, housing will be a stretch at the median salary, though you can manage with roommates or a smaller place.
How far does a operations research analysts salary go in Santa Cruz-Watsonville?
Santa Cruz-Watsonville has a Regional Price Parity of 109.9 (100 is the national average). Prices are above average here, so your dollar buys less than the same salary would in a cheaper metro. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median operations research analysts salary is worth about $76,260 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.