Operations Research Analyst salary in Columbia, SC
Operations Research Analysts in the Columbia, SC metro area earn a median of $79,560 a year ($38.25 an hour), based on BLS data for 300 workers.
Pay ranges from $49,080 for the lowest-paid 10% to $103,540 for the top 10%. That is 11% lower than the national median of $88,940. Pay here is 1% lower than the South Carolina statewide median of $80,240. There are 0.77 operations research analysts per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $78,850, close to the median.
Pay range for operations research analysts in Columbia, SC
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $49,080 | $23.60 |
| 25th percentile | $59,780 | $28.74 |
| Median | $79,560 | $38.25 |
| 75th percentile | $97,250 | $46.75 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $103,540 | $49.78 |
| Average (mean) | $78,850 | $37.91 |
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 | $6,630 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,315 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,060 |
| Weekly | $1,530 |
| Hourly | $38.25 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $105,180 | 1,360 |
| Charleston-North Charleston, SC | $104,220 | 340 |
| Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC | $88,910 | 120 |
| Spartanburg, SC | $86,380 | 100 |
| Greenville-Anderson-Greer, SC | $73,280 | 250 |
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 South Carolina statewide figures.
Related jobs in Columbia, SC
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Data Scientist | $88,260 | $42.43 |
| Actuary | $133,060 | $63.97 |
| Statistician | $67,630 | $32.51 |
| Computer Systems Analyst | $90,760 | $43.64 |
| Software Developer | $123,380 | $59.32 |
| Computer User Support Specialist | $50,080 | $24.08 |
| Network and Computer Systems Administrators | $86,650 | $41.66 |
| Computer Occupations, All Other | $91,920 | $44.19 |
| Computer Network Support Specialist | $76,560 | $36.81 |
| Information Security Analyst | $101,330 | $48.71 |
| Computer Network Architect | $125,510 | $60.34 |
| Database Administrator | $83,330 | $40.06 |
| Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers | $86,320 | $41.50 |
| Database Architect | $135,790 | $65.28 |
More: Computer and Mathematical Occupations · all salaries in Columbia, SC
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, SC?
The median salary for operations research analysts in the Columbia, SC metro area is $79,560 a year, or $38.25 an hour. Pay ranges from $49,080 for the lowest-paid 10% to $103,540 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid operations research analysts make in Columbia, SC?
The top 10% of operations research analysts in the Columbia, SC metro area earn at least $103,540 a year. The top 25% earn $97,250 or more.
What is the starting pay for operations research analysts in Columbia, SC?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $49,080 a year, and a quarter of operations research analysts earn $59,780 or less.
How many operations research analysts work in Columbia, SC?
About 300 operations research analysts are employed in the Columbia, SC metro area, not counting the self-employed.