Operations Research Analyst salary in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
Operations Research Analysts in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area earn a median of $83,410 a year ($40.10 an hour), based on BLS data for 190 workers.
Pay ranges from $39,800 for the lowest-paid 10% to $140,960 for the top 10%. That is 6% lower than the national median of $88,940. Pay here is 4% higher than the Iowa statewide median of $80,580. There are 0.48 operations research analysts per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.68). The average (mean) salary is $94,070, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for operations research analysts in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $39,800 | $19.13 |
| 25th percentile | $61,590 | $29.61 |
| Median | $83,410 | $40.10 |
| 75th percentile | $140,960 | $67.77 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $140,960 | $67.77 |
| Average (mean) | $94,070 | $45.23 |
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 | $6,950.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,475.42 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,208.08 |
| Weekly | $1,604.04 |
| Hourly | $40.10 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Omaha, NE-IA | $102,900 | 240 |
| Cedar Rapids, IA | $77,850 | 40 |
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 Iowa statewide figures.
Related jobs in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Data Scientist | $103,030 | $49.53 |
| Actuary | $130,540 | $62.76 |
| Statistician | $58,840 | $28.29 |
| Software Developer | $126,460 | $60.80 |
| Computer Systems Analyst | $102,070 | $49.07 |
| Computer User Support Specialist | $59,450 | $28.58 |
| Computer Occupations, All Other | $109,490 | $52.64 |
| Network and Computer Systems Administrators | $89,800 | $43.17 |
| Information Security Analyst | $123,740 | $59.49 |
| Computer Network Architect | $108,280 | $52.06 |
| Computer Network Support Specialist | $62,050 | $29.83 |
| Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers | $98,190 | $47.21 |
| Computer Programmer | $79,200 | $38.08 |
| Web and Digital Interface Designers | $75,680 | $36.38 |
More: Computer and Mathematical Occupations · all salaries in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
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 Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?
The median salary for operations research analysts in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area is $83,410 a year, or $40.10 an hour. Pay ranges from $39,800 for the lowest-paid 10% to $140,960 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid operations research analysts make in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?
The top 10% of operations research analysts in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area earn at least $140,960 a year. The top 25% earn $140,960 or more.
What is the starting pay for operations research analysts in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $39,800 a year, and a quarter of operations research analysts earn $61,590 or less.
How many operations research analysts work in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?
About 190 operations research analysts are employed in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area, not counting the self-employed.