Operations Research Analyst salary in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC
Operations Research Analysts in the Durham-Chapel Hill, NC metro area earn a median of $109,110 a year ($52.46 an hour), based on BLS data for 50 workers.
Pay ranges from $52,530 for the lowest-paid 10% to $184,450 for the top 10%. That is 23% higher than the national median of $88,940. Pay here is 12% higher than the North Carolina statewide median of $97,290. There are 0.13 operations research analysts per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.19). The average (mean) salary is $116,840, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for operations research analysts in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $52,530 | $25.26 |
| 25th percentile | $78,970 | $37.97 |
| Median | $109,110 | $52.46 |
| 75th percentile | $143,710 | $69.09 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $184,450 | $88.68 |
| Average (mean) | $116,840 | $56.17 |
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 | $9,092.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,546.25 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $4,196.54 |
| Weekly | $2,098.27 |
| Hourly | $52.46 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC | $114,070 | 470 |
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $105,180 | 1,360 |
| Raleigh-Cary, NC | $83,630 | 220 |
| Greensboro-High Point, NC | $80,300 | 120 |
| Winston-Salem, NC | $77,910 | 50 |
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 North Carolina statewide figures.
Related jobs in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Data Scientist | $106,500 | $51.20 |
| Statistician | $103,290 | $49.66 |
| Mathematical Science Occupations, All Other | $109,650 | $52.72 |
| Software Developer | $135,620 | $65.20 |
| Computer Systems Analyst | $106,410 | $51.16 |
| Computer Occupations, All Other | $126,300 | $60.72 |
| Computer User Support Specialist | $71,750 | $34.50 |
| Network and Computer Systems Administrators | $110,640 | $53.19 |
| Computer Network Architect | $144,990 | $69.71 |
| Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers | $122,980 | $59.13 |
| Information Security Analyst | $129,670 | $62.34 |
| Database Architect | $141,770 | $68.16 |
| Web and Digital Interface Designers | $133,340 | $64.11 |
| Computer Network Support Specialist | $81,090 | $38.99 |
More: Computer and Mathematical Occupations · all salaries in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC
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 Durham-Chapel Hill, NC?
The median salary for operations research analysts in the Durham-Chapel Hill, NC metro area is $109,110 a year, or $52.46 an hour. Pay ranges from $52,530 for the lowest-paid 10% to $184,450 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid operations research analysts make in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC?
The top 10% of operations research analysts in the Durham-Chapel Hill, NC metro area earn at least $184,450 a year. The top 25% earn $143,710 or more.
What is the starting pay for operations research analysts in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $52,530 a year, and a quarter of operations research analysts earn $78,970 or less.
How many operations research analysts work in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC?
About 50 operations research analysts are employed in the Durham-Chapel Hill, NC metro area, not counting the self-employed.