Operations Research Analysts Salary
Operations Research Analysts in Wisconsin make a median of $71,820 a year, or about $34.53 an hour. The range runs from $50K at the entry level to $102K for experienced workers. Cost of living is below average (RPP 94.33), which stretches that salary to about $76,137 in buying power. Rent on a 2-bedroom averages $1,202/month, or 25.5% of estimated take-home pay.
Statewide average. Salary and cost of living vary significantly across Wisconsin. Jump to a metro for precise data:
So what does $72K get you in Wisconsin?
About operations research analysts
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What this looks like in Wisconsin
Pay for operations research analysts in Wisconsin runs about 19% below the U.S. median of $89K. Rent runs $1,202/month for a 2-bedroom (HUD FMR), taking 25.7% of the median take-home. That's within the 30% rule, though not by much. Regional Price Parity sits at 94.33 (national = 100), meaning everyday costs run about 6% 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, Wisconsin
Entry-level operations research analysts (10th percentile) start around $50K. Mid-career wages sit at $72K. Top earners bring in $102K or more, a $52K spread from bottom to top.
Operations Research Analysts salary by metro in Wisconsin
12 metro areas with BLS data, ranked by median pay
| Metro area | Median salary | vs. state | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Madison | $76K | +5% | 880 |
| Milwaukee-Waukesha | $75K | +4% | 1,310 |
| Sheboygan | $74K | +4% | 50 |
| Appleton | $73K | +1% | 100 |
| Wausau | $72K | -0% | 60 |
| Green Bay | $67K | -6% | 340 |
| La Crosse-Onalaska | $67K | -7% | 80 |
| Janesville-Beloit | $65K | -9% | 60 |
| Oshkosh-Neenah | $65K | -10% | 160 |
| Racine-Mount Pleasant | $64K | -12% | 40 |
| Eau Claire | $63K | -13% | 110 |
| Kenosha | $62K | -13% | 60 |
Showing 1–10 of 12 metros
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Track operations research analysts salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Wisconsin numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
Can a operations research analyst afford a 2BR apartment alone in Wisconsin?
Yes — at the median salary of $72K, rent takes 25.7% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $1,202/month. That stays under the 30% guideline most financial planners use.
What’s the entry-level salary for operations research analysts in Wisconsin?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new operations research analysts typically earn — is $50K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $3,023/month. At HUD’s $1,202/month FMR, rent would take 40% 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 Wisconsin?
Local pay runs 19% below the national median — $72K here vs. $89K nationally. Cost of living is 6% below the national average, which narrows that gap in real purchasing power.
How does Wisconsin compare to the national average for operations research analysts?
Wisconsin pays $72K median vs. the U.S. average of $89K — that’s -19%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 94.33), the purchasing-power equivalent is $76K — below the national median.
How much do operations research analysts make in Wisconsin?
The median is $71,820 a year, that works out to about $35 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $50,380, and experienced operations research analysts can clear $102,090. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $72K enough to live in Wisconsin?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $4,679/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,202/month, which eats 25.7% 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 Wisconsin?
Wisconsin has a Regional Price Parity of 94.33 (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 $76,137 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.