Operations Research Analysts Salary
Operations Research Analysts in Virginia make a median of $129,460 a year, or about $62.24 an hour. The range runs from $72K at the entry level to $194K for experienced workers. Cost of living is below average (RPP 94.79), which stretches that salary to about $136,576 in buying power. Rent on a 2-bedroom averages $1,646/month, or 20.9% of estimated take-home pay.
Statewide average. Salary and cost of living vary significantly across Virginia. Jump to a metro for precise data:
So what does $129K get you in Virginia?
About operations research analysts
Sponsored links, AffordMap may earn a commission at no cost to you. Learn more
What this looks like in Virginia
Virginia sits well above the national pay line for operations research analysts, local pay runs about 46% higher than the U.S. median of $89K. Housing is manageable: a 2-bedroom at the HUD median costs $1,646/month, 21.4% of take-home, well inside the 30% guideline. Regional Price Parity sits at 94.79 (national = 100), meaning everyday costs run about 5% cheaper here. Your dollar stretches further than the headline salary suggests. Combined with manageable housing costs, Virginia offers a genuinely strong financial position for operations research analystss at the median.
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Virginia
Entry-level operations research analysts (10th percentile) start around $72K. Mid-career wages sit at $129K. Top earners bring in $194K or more, a $122K spread from bottom to top.
Operations Research Analysts salary by metro in Virginia
4 metro areas with BLS data, ranked by median pay
| Metro area | Median salary | vs. state | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk | $114K | -12% | 470 |
| Richmond | $110K | -15% | 1,020 |
| Roanoke | $103K | -20% | 50 |
| Charlottesville | $93K | -28% | 40 |
Compare to other states
Track operations research analysts salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Virginia numbers change.
Related careers in Technology
Frequently asked questions
Can a operations research analyst afford a 2BR apartment alone in Virginia?
Yes — at the median salary of $129K, rent takes 21.4% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $1,646/month. That stays under the 30% guideline most financial planners use.
What’s the entry-level salary for operations research analysts in Virginia?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new operations research analysts typically earn — is $72K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $4,309/month. At HUD’s $1,646/month FMR, rent would take 38% 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 Virginia?
Local pay is 46% above the national median — $129K here vs. $89K nationally.
How does Virginia compare to the national average for operations research analysts?
Virginia pays $129K median vs. the U.S. average of $89K — that’s +46%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 94.79), the purchasing-power equivalent is $137K — still ahead of the national median.
How much do operations research analysts make in Virginia?
The median is $129,460 a year, that works out to about $62 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $71,820, and experienced operations research analysts can clear $194,260. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $129K enough to live in Virginia?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $7,693/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,646/month, which eats 21.4% 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 Virginia?
Virginia has a Regional Price Parity of 94.79 (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 $136,576 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.