Operations Research Analysts Salary
Operations Research Analysts in Washington make a median of $98,030 a year, or about $47.13 an hour. The range runs from $69K at the entry level to $156K for experienced workers. Adjusted for local prices (RPP 102.01), that's roughly $96,098 in purchasing power. Rent on a 2-bedroom averages $1,830/month, or 27.9% of estimated take-home pay.
Statewide average. Salary and cost of living vary significantly across Washington. Jump to a metro for precise data:
So what does $98K get you in Washington?
About operations research analysts
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What this looks like in Washington
Operations research analysts pay in Washington tracks closely to the national median, $98K locally vs. $89K nationwide, a 10% difference. Rent runs $1,830/month for a 2-bedroom (HUD FMR), taking 28.4% of the median take-home. That's within the 30% rule, though not by much. Cost of living (RPP 102.01) is near the national average, so spending patterns here track the typical American budget fairly closely. Pay and costs are both near average, leaving limited margin for savings at the median wage.
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Washington
Entry-level operations research analysts (10th percentile) start around $69K. Mid-career wages sit at $98K. Top earners bring in $156K or more, a $87K spread from bottom to top.
Operations Research Analysts salary by metro in Washington
3 metro areas with BLS data, ranked by median pay
| Metro area | Median salary | vs. state | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue | $103K | +5% | 2,110 |
| Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater | $85K | -14% | 600 |
| Spokane-Spokane Valley | $83K | -16% | 100 |
Compare to other states
Track operations research analysts salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Washington numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
Can a operations research analyst afford a 2BR apartment alone in Washington?
Yes — at the median salary of $98K, rent takes 28.4% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $1,830/month. That stays under the 30% guideline most financial planners use.
What’s the entry-level salary for operations research analysts in Washington?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new operations research analysts typically earn — is $69K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $4,115/month. At HUD’s $1,830/month FMR, rent would take 44% 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 Washington?
Pay here is roughly in line with the national average — $98K locally vs. $89K nationally, a 10% difference.
How does Washington compare to the national average for operations research analysts?
Washington pays $98K median vs. the U.S. average of $89K — that’s +10%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 102.01), the purchasing-power equivalent is $96K — still ahead of the national median.
How much do operations research analysts make in Washington?
The median is $98,030 a year, that works out to about $47 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $68,580, and experienced operations research analysts can clear $155,790. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $98K enough to live in Washington?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $6,446/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,830/month, which eats 28.4% 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 Washington?
Washington has a Regional Price Parity of 102.01 (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 $96,098 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.