Career Trends: Operations Research Analysts

Operations research analysts use advanced mathematical and analytical methods to help organizations investigate complex issues, identify and solve problems, and make better decisions.

Operations research analysts spend most of their time in offices, although some conduct site inspections before doing their analysis. Almost all operations research analysts work full time.

Although employers prefer to hire applicants with a master’s degree or Ph.D., entry-level positions are available for those with a bachelor’s degree. Analysts typically have a degree in operations research, management science, analytics, math, engineering, computer science, or another technical or quantitative field.

Employment of operations research analysts is projected to grow 30 percent from 2014 to 2024, much faster than the average for all occupations. As technology advances and companies seek efficiency and cost savings, demand for operations research analysis should continue to grow.

This occupation supported 73,200 jobs in 2012 and 91,300 jobs in 2014, reflecting an increase of 24.7%. In 2012, this occupation was projected to increase by 26.6% in 2022 to 92,700 jobs. As of 2014, to keep pace with prediction, the expected number of jobs was 77,100, compared with an observed value of 91,300, 18.4% higher than expected. This indicates current employment trends are much better than the 2012 trend within this occupation. In 2014, this occupation was projected to increase by 37.7% in 2024 to 118,900 jobs. Linear extrapolation of the 2012 projection for 2022 results in an expected number of 96,600 jobs for 2024, 18.8% lower than the 2014 projection for 2024. This indicates expectations for future employment trends are much better than the 2012 trend within this occupation.