Operations Analyzer Training and Jobs
Schools and Degrees
Operations analyzers should earn a master’s degree in operations research or any related field, such as computer science, engineering, business, mathematics, information systems or management science. They may acquire a bachelor’s degree in computer science, economics, mathematics or statistics. There are more than 130 programs in operations research and related studies in colleges and universities across the United States.
Training and Education
You'll generally want a master's degree for this career path. Of current employees, 71% graduated from college with degrees. Some 23% of operations analyzers attened college but did not go on to get a bachelor's degree. A high school education was sufficient for 7% of workers.
Job Overview
Operations analyzers develop and interpret information that assists management make decision, formulate policy and complete other managerial functions successfully. They may need to create and apply mathematical modeling and other optimizing methods with the help of computers. They may also develop related software, services or products. Operations analyzers also collect and analyze data and develop decision support software.
Job Requirements
Employers prefer operations analyzers with a college degree in operations research. Computer programming skills are also highly valued. Operations analyzers should continue their education in order to keep themselves updated on technological advances and improvements in analytical methods, and also to maintain their problem-solving skills. They also need to be proficient in database collection and management, and developing and using sophisticated software packages. Other desired skills include logical thinking and communication skills, mathematical reasoning, deductive reasoning and inductive reasoning.
Nature of Work
In large organizations, money, materials, equipment and people need to be managed efficiently. Operations analyzers apply analytical methods from mathematics, science and engineering in order to find ways to coordinate these elements. They often find possible solutions for completing a project as efficiently and smoothly as possible. They are also involved in top-level strategizing, planning and forecasting. Operations analyzers start a project with the manager’s description of a problem and then ask questions and formally define the problem. Then they study the problem, gather information from a variety of sourcesand determine the most appropriate analytical technique when they have all the required information. Based on the results of the analysis, the operations analyzer presents recommendations to managers. Once the decision is made by a manager, they work with others in the organization to ensure the successful implementation of the plan.
Operations analyzers generally work regular hours in an office environment. However, because they work on projects that are of immediate interest to top managers, operations research analysts often work under pressure to meet deadlines and may work more than 40 hours a week.
Area Job Conditions
Finding employees is easiest in Durham (North Carolina), Tallahassee (Florida), and Austin (Texas), and by comparison more challenging in Las Vegas (Nevada), Nassau (New York), and New Orleans (Louisiana).
The pay is best in Spartanburg (South Carolina), Atlantic City (New Jersey), and Washington (District of Columbia) and worst in Baton Rouge (Louisiana), Provo (Utah), and Springfield (Massachusetts).
Part-Time and Self Employment
Operations analyzers working part-time accounted for 6% of those employed in 2008.
Career Videos
Operations Analyzers by Metropolitan Area (city and its surroundings)
In the table below, a Job Density near 0% means the area has an average number of people in this occupation, for its population. A higher or lower Job Density (e.g., +22% or -45%) tells you there are that many more or fewer workers of that type there than in the average US metro area. So, the higher the number, the more common the occupation.
Alabama
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Birmingham | $63,000 | 170 | -30% |
| Huntsville | $98,000 | 330 | +230% |
| Montgomery | $56,000 | 100 | +29% |
Alaska
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Anchorage | $68,000 | 70 | -12% |
Arizona
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Phoenix | $65,000 | 930 | +6% |
| Tucson | $65,000 | 70 | -58% |
Arkansas
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fayetteville | $57,000 | 60 | -39% |
| Little Rock | $50,000 | 140 | -18% |
California
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bakersfield | $106,000 | 110 | -13% |
| Fresno | $75,000 | 60 | -62% |
| Los Angeles | $80,000 | 1,230 | -39% |
| Oakland | $83,000 | 660 | +33% |
| Oxnard | $73,000 | 180 | +24% |
| Riverside | $75,000 | 230 | -62% |
| Sacramento | $75,000 | 1,560 | +262% |
| San Diego | $84,000 | 600 | -8% |
| San Francisco | $93,000 | 920 | +86% |
| San Jose | $93,000 | 730 | +64% |
| Santa Ana | $74,000 | 540 | -26% |
| Santa Barbara | $75,000 | 50 | -37% |
| Santa Rosa | $104,000 | 30 | -64% |
| Stockton | $76,000 | 30 | -70% |
| Vallejo | $74,000 | 40 | -29% |
Colorado
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Colorado Springs | $96,000 | 310 | +153% |
| Denver | $75,000 | 900 | +45% |
| Fort Collins | $59,000 | 40 | -32% |
Connecticut
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bridgeport | $86,000 | 280 | +33% |
| Hartford | $80,000 | 210 | -26% |
| New Haven | $67,000 | 60 | -55% |
| Norwich | $83,000 | 80 | +39% |
Delaware
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wilmington | $70,000 | 210 | +32% |
District of Columbia
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Washington | $102,000 | 5,000 | +311% |
Florida
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cape Coral | $51,000 | 100 | +8% |
| Deltona | $50,000 | 80 | +10% |
| Fort Lauderdale | $55,000 | 670 | +93% |
| Fort Walton Beach | $85,000 | 180 | +421% |
| Gainesville | $47,000 | 100 | +76% |
| Jacksonville | $53,000 | 680 | +128% |
| Lakeland | $50,000 | 130 | +44% |
| Miami | $59,000 | 910 | +86% |
| Ocala | $52,000 | 30 | -25% |
| Orlando | $58,000 | 850 | +68% |
| Palm Bay | $71,000 | 260 | +174% |
| Panama City | $78,000 | 70 | +127% |
| Pensacola | $53,000 | 110 | +56% |
| Port St Lucie | $46,000 | 70 | +26% |
| Sarasota | $57,000 | 100 | -16% |
| Tallahassee | $45,000 | 620 | +708% |
| Tampa | $52,000 | 1,130 | +98% |
| West Palm Beach | $67,000 | 490 | +91% |
Georgia
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Albany | $50,000 | 30 | +10% |
| Athens | $61,000 | 40 | +25% |
| Atlanta | $73,000 | 1,670 | +45% |
| Columbus | $60,000 | 30 | -42% |
Hawaii
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Honolulu | $78,000 | 170 | -22% |
Idaho
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boise | $66,000 | 250 | +97% |
Illinois
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chicago | $73,000 | 950 | -50% |
| Springfield | $55,000 | 50 | 0% |
Indiana
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fort Wayne | $95,000 | 50 | -49% |
| Indianapolis | $68,000 | 750 | +68% |
| Kokomo | $89,000 | 30 | +82% |
| South Bend | $70,000 | 40 | -34% |
Iowa
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cedar Rapids | 180 | +174% | |
| Des Moines | $59,000 | 490 | +203% |
Kansas
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wichita | $68,000 | 50 | -64% |
Kentucky
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Louisville | $62,000 | 200 | -34% |
Louisiana
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Baton Rouge | $30,000 | 200 | +9% |
| Lafayette | $54,000 | 50 | -26% |
Maine
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Portland | $63,000 | 80 | -17% |
Maryland
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Baltimore | $86,000 | 1,240 | +90% |
| Bethesda | $84,000 | 550 | +92% |
Massachusetts
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boston | $83,000 | 1,770 | +104% |
| Framingham | $83,000 | 60 | -23% |
| Springfield | $58,000 | 120 | -18% |
Michigan
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ann Arbor | $89,000 | 200 | +150% |
| Detroit | $80,000 | 370 | +11% |
| Flint | $87,000 | 100 | +63% |
| Grand Rapids | $66,000 | 180 | -3% |
| Warren | $87,000 | 810 | +51% |
Minnesota
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Duluth | $49,000 | 70 | +14% |
| Minneapolis | $71,000 | 1,590 | +79% |
Mississippi
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jackson | $79,000 | 40 | -68% |
Missouri
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kansas City | $71,000 | 590 | +17% |
| St Louis | $72,000 | 490 | -27% |
Nebraska
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Omaha | $69,000 | 270 | +16% |
Nevada
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Las Vegas | $71,000 | 100 | -76% |
New Hampshire
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Portsmouth | $70,000 | 30 | +18% |
New Jersey
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Atlantic City | $86,000 | 60 | -13% |
| Camden | $83,000 | 70 | -73% |
| Edison | $84,000 | 370 | -28% |
| Newark | $92,000 | 510 | +2% |
| Trenton | $80,000 | 100 | -9% |
New Mexico
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Albuquerque | $72,000 | 190 | +0% |
| Las Cruces | $95,000 | 100 | +250% |
New York
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Albany | $66,000 | 90 | -60% |
| Buffalo | $71,000 | 220 | -20% |
| Nassau | $67,000 | 90 | -86% |
| New York | $117,000 | 2,320 | -11% |
| Rochester | $71,000 | 340 | +36% |
| Syracuse | $59,000 | 100 | -35% |
| Utica | $69,000 | 30 | -49% |
North Carolina
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Charlotte | $69,000 | 500 | +17% |
| Fayetteville | $71,000 | 40 | -33% |
| Greensboro | $78,000 | 100 | -43% |
| Raleigh | $74,000 | 250 | -2% |
| Winston Salem | $68,000 | 70 | -31% |
North Dakota
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bismarck | $80,000 | 30 | +3% |
| Fargo | $52,000 | 80 | +40% |
Ohio
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Akron | $82,000 | 90 | -43% |
| Cincinnati | $70,000 | 390 | -23% |
| Cleveland | $76,000 | 310 | -39% |
| Columbus | $57,000 | 790 | +72% |
| Dayton | $89,000 | 210 | +11% |
| Toledo | $86,000 | 50 | -65% |
Oklahoma
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oklahoma City | $74,000 | 200 | -30% |
| Tulsa | $67,000 | 170 | -20% |
Oregon
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Portland | $75,000 | 290 | -43% |
Pennsylvania
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Allentown | $80,000 | 50 | -71% |
| Harrisburg | $80,000 | 290 | +85% |
| Lancaster | $81,000 | 40 | -65% |
| Philadelphia | $85,000 | 890 | -7% |
| Pittsburgh | $73,000 | 410 | -28% |
Rhode Island
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Providence | $80,000 | 170 | -38% |
South Carolina
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Charleston | $80,000 | 90 | -36% |
| Columbia | $58,000 | 120 | -30% |
| Greenville | $67,000 | 70 | -52% |
| Spartanburg | $77,000 | 60 | +11% |
Tennessee
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Memphis | $66,000 | 290 | -5% |
| Nashville | $55,000 | 410 | +11% |
Texas
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amarillo | $84,000 | 50 | +1% |
| Austin | $81,000 | 1,040 | +166% |
| Beaumont | $79,000 | 30 | -61% |
| Dallas | $71,000 | 1,750 | +67% |
| El Paso | $53,000 | 100 | -25% |
| Fort Worth | $76,000 | 460 | +7% |
| Houston | $69,000 | 1,360 | +3% |
| Killeen | $76,000 | 130 | +115% |
| San Antonio | $79,000 | 320 | -26% |
Utah
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Provo | $52,000 | 50 | -39% |
| Salt Lake City | $58,000 | 520 | +72% |
Virginia
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Charlottesville | $67,000 | 40 | +1% |
| Richmond | $83,000 | 360 | +18% |
| Virginia Beach | $94,000 | 460 | +22% |
Washington
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bremerton | $88,000 | 50 | +32% |
| Seattle | $91,000 | 920 | +31% |
| Spokane | $54,000 | 40 | -60% |
| Tacoma | $58,000 | 90 | -30% |
Wisconsin
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Appleton | $66,000 | 30 | -44% |
| Madison | $73,000 | 40 | -76% |
| Milwaukee | $68,000 | 260 | -37% |