Operations Research Analyst

Operations research analysts use advanced methods of analysis to help organizations solve problems and make better decisions.

Sample of Reported Job Titles

Operations Research Analyst, Operations Research Manager, Scientist, Analytical Strategist, Business Analytics Director, Business Insight and Analytics Manager, Decision Analyst, Operations Research Group Manager

Summary

Operations research analysts are involved in top-level strategizing, planning, and forecasting. They use advanced techniques from mathematics, science, and engineering to make better decisions and to solve problems. These analysts help to allocate resources, measure performance, design production facilities and systems, manage the supply chain, set prices, coordinate transportation and distribution, and analyze large databases.

Operations research analysts use sophisticated computer software, such as databases and statistical and modeling packages, to analyze and solve problems. For example, they help decide how to organize products in supermarkets and help companies figure out the most effective way to ship and distribute products. Analysts break down problems into their various parts and analyze the effect that different changes and circumstances would have on each of these parts. For example, to help an airline schedule flights and decide what to charge for tickets, analysts might take into account the cities that have to be connected, the amount of fuel required to fly those routes, the expected number of passengers, pilots’ schedules, maintenance costs, and fuel prices.

There is no one way to solve a problem, and analysts must weigh the costs and benefits of alternative solutions or approaches in their recommendations to managers. Because problems are complex and often require expertise from many disciplines, most analysts work on teams. Once a manager reaches a final decision, these teams may work with others in the organization to ensure that the plan is successful.

Educational Requirements

Operations research analysts must obtain the minimum requirement of a bachelor’s degree in an area such as mathematics, operations research, statistics, computer science, management science and physics. Courses in other areas, such as engineering, economics, and political science, are useful because operations research is a multidisciplinary field with a wide variety of applications. Most employers do prefer applicants with a master’s degree and computer programming skills. Keeping up to date with technological advances and improvements in analytical methods is essential.

Salary Information 2022

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median salary for an Operations Research Analyst in 2022 was $85,720.

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Information retrieved from O*NET Online: Operations Research Analysts, Bureau of Labor Statistics: Operations Research Analysts and We Use Math: Operations Research Analyst.