Operations Research Analyst salary in Virginia
Operations Research Analysts in Virginia earn a median of $129,460 a year ($62.24 an hour), based on BLS data for 6,980 workers.
Pay ranges from $71,820 for the lowest-paid 10% to $194,260 for the top 10%. That is 46% higher than the national median of $88,940. Virginia ranks 2nd of 47 states for operations research analysts pay, one of the best-paying states for this job. There are 1.7 operations research analysts per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 2.4× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $130,720, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for operations research analysts in Virginia
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $71,820 | $34.53 |
| 25th percentile | $99,660 | $47.92 |
| Median | $129,460 | $62.24 |
| 75th percentile | $166,230 | $79.92 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $194,260 | $93.39 |
| Average (mean) | $130,720 | $62.85 |
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 | $10,788.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $5,394.17 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $4,979.23 |
| Weekly | $2,489.62 |
| Hourly | $62.24 |
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 Virginia
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $127,600 | 8,080 |
| Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC | $114,070 | 470 |
| Richmond, VA | $109,650 | 1,020 |
| Roanoke, VA | $102,930 | 50 |
| Charlottesville, VA | $93,290 | 40 |
Highest-paying states for operations research analysts
Related jobs in Virginia
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Data Scientist | $126,430 | $60.79 |
| Statistician | $114,920 | $55.25 |
| Actuary | $131,900 | $63.42 |
| Mathematician | $148,030 | $71.17 |
| Mathematical Science Occupations, All Other | $59,990 | $28.84 |
| Software Developer | $136,460 | $65.61 |
| Computer Systems Analyst | $120,840 | $58.09 |
| Computer User Support Specialist | $65,040 | $31.27 |
| Information Security Analyst | $134,900 | $64.86 |
| Computer Occupations, All Other | $139,030 | $66.84 |
| Network and Computer Systems Administrators | $109,610 | $52.70 |
| Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers | $121,590 | $58.46 |
| Computer Network Architect | $141,340 | $67.95 |
| Database Administrator | $93,320 | $44.86 |
More: Computer and Mathematical Occupations · all salaries in Virginia
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 Virginia?
The median salary for operations research analysts in Virginia is $129,460 a year, or $62.24 an hour. Pay ranges from $71,820 for the lowest-paid 10% to $194,260 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid operations research analysts make in Virginia?
The top 10% of operations research analysts in Virginia earn at least $194,260 a year. The top 25% earn $166,230 or more.
What is the starting pay for operations research analysts in Virginia?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $71,820 a year, and a quarter of operations research analysts earn $99,660 or less.
How many operations research analysts work in Virginia?
About 6,980 operations research analysts are employed in Virginia, not counting the self-employed.