Operations Research Analyst salary in Iowa
Operations Research Analysts in Iowa earn a median of $80,580 a year ($38.74 an hour), based on BLS data for 300 workers.
Pay ranges from $47,520 for the lowest-paid 10% to $140,960 for the top 10%. That is 9% lower than the national median of $88,940. Iowa ranks 32nd of 47 states for operations research analysts pay. There are 0.19 operations research analysts per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.27). The average (mean) salary is $90,760, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for operations research analysts in Iowa
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $47,520 | $22.85 |
| 25th percentile | $61,590 | $29.61 |
| Median | $80,580 | $38.74 |
| 75th percentile | $125,880 | $60.52 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $140,960 | $67.77 |
| Average (mean) | $90,760 | $43.63 |
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 | $6,715 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,357.50 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,099.23 |
| Weekly | $1,549.62 |
| Hourly | $38.74 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Operations Research Analyst salary in cities in Iowa
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Omaha, NE-IA | $102,900 | 240 |
| Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA | $83,410 | 190 |
| Cedar Rapids, IA | $77,850 | 40 |
Highest-paying states for operations research analysts
Related jobs in Iowa
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Data Scientist | $95,830 | $46.07 |
| Actuary | $128,690 | $61.87 |
| Statistician | $80,150 | $38.54 |
| Mathematical Science Occupations, All Other | $49,020 | $23.57 |
| Software Developer | $114,890 | $55.24 |
| Computer User Support Specialist | $58,810 | $28.27 |
| Computer Systems Analyst | $95,920 | $46.11 |
| Computer Occupations, All Other | $107,340 | $51.61 |
| Network and Computer Systems Administrators | $84,500 | $40.62 |
| Computer Network Support Specialist | $64,600 | $31.06 |
| Computer Network Architect | $103,050 | $49.54 |
| Information Security Analyst | $119,710 | $57.55 |
| Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers | $88,590 | $42.59 |
| Computer Programmer | $79,180 | $38.07 |
More: Computer and Mathematical Occupations · all salaries in Iowa
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 Iowa?
The median salary for operations research analysts in Iowa is $80,580 a year, or $38.74 an hour. Pay ranges from $47,520 for the lowest-paid 10% to $140,960 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid operations research analysts make in Iowa?
The top 10% of operations research analysts in Iowa earn at least $140,960 a year. The top 25% earn $125,880 or more.
What is the starting pay for operations research analysts in Iowa?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $47,520 a year, and a quarter of operations research analysts earn $61,590 or less.
How many operations research analysts work in Iowa?
About 300 operations research analysts are employed in Iowa, not counting the self-employed.