Operations Research Analyst salary in Columbia, MO
Operations Research Analysts in the Columbia, MO metro area earn a median of $62,830 a year ($30.21 an hour), based on BLS data for 30 workers.
Pay ranges from $51,750 for the lowest-paid 10% to $76,080 for the top 10%. That is 29% lower than the national median of $88,940. Pay here is 1% higher than the Missouri statewide median of $62,380. There are 0.31 operations research analysts per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.45). The average (mean) salary is $64,880, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for operations research analysts in Columbia, MO
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $51,750 | $24.88 |
| 25th percentile | $51,750 | $24.88 |
| Median | $62,830 | $30.21 |
| 75th percentile | $67,900 | $32.65 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $76,080 | $36.58 |
| Average (mean) | $64,880 | $31.19 |
Half of operations research analysts earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $5,235.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,617.92 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,416.54 |
| Weekly | $1,208.27 |
| Hourly | $30.21 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Operations Research Analyst salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Kansas City, MO-KS | $85,380 | n/a |
| St. Louis, MO-IL | $63,650 | 900 |
Highest-paying states for operations research analysts
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Colorado | $129,880 |
| Virginia | $129,460 |
| Alabama | $115,630 |
| New York | $108,610 |
| Ohio | $103,620 |
| Idaho | $103,600 |
| Oregon | $102,170 |
| California | $102,100 |
| Delaware | $101,070 |
| Hawaii | $100,600 |
See Operations Research Analyst pay in every state or the Missouri statewide figures.
Related jobs in Columbia, MO
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Data Scientist | $80,980 | $38.93 |
| Software Developer | $101,020 | $48.57 |
| Computer Occupations, All Other | $80,330 | $38.62 |
| Computer User Support Specialist | $56,670 | $27.25 |
| Network and Computer Systems Administrators | $78,610 | $37.79 |
| Computer Systems Analyst | $77,760 | $37.39 |
| Information Security Analyst | $97,600 | $46.92 |
| Computer Network Architect | $111,310 | $53.52 |
| Computer Network Support Specialist | $66,380 | $31.91 |
| Database Administrator | $79,240 | $38.10 |
| Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers | $75,520 | $36.31 |
| Database Architect | $99,000 | $47.60 |
| Web Developer | $81,050 | $38.97 |
More: Computer and Mathematical Occupations · all salaries in Columbia, MO
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 15-2031. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a operations research analyst make in Columbia, MO?
The median salary for operations research analysts in the Columbia, MO metro area is $62,830 a year, or $30.21 an hour. Pay ranges from $51,750 for the lowest-paid 10% to $76,080 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid operations research analysts make in Columbia, MO?
The top 10% of operations research analysts in the Columbia, MO metro area earn at least $76,080 a year. The top 25% earn $67,900 or more.
What is the starting pay for operations research analysts in Columbia, MO?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $51,750 a year, and a quarter of operations research analysts earn $51,750 or less.
How many operations research analysts work in Columbia, MO?
About 30 operations research analysts are employed in the Columbia, MO metro area, not counting the self-employed.