How much do operations analysts make?

Entry-level operations analysts typically make an annual salary of about $50,000. Operations analysts with more than one year of experience in the field can expect an average salary of $60,000.

Is an operations analyst a good career?

Yes, working as an operations analyst is a good career. Working as an operations analyst is a good career for people who enjoy handling data and solving problems. This career is also extremely financially rewarding and has fairly low base requirements. To get an entry-level operations analyst position, all that is required is a bachelor's degree focused on operations research.

What is the career path for an operations analyst?

The career path for an operations analyst can include jobs in a variety of fields, including computer science, engineering, and business management. More than 85% of successful operations analysts have at least a bachelor's degree in computer science or a related field. Most operations analysts are required to have on-the-job experience, which usually comes in the form of an internship. As a new graduate, you should look for entry-level positions. A few years as an entry-level analyst can lead you to earn a position as a senior operations analyst.

Why do you want to work in operations?

"I want to work in operations because I enjoy playing a crucial role in analyzing processes and finding solutions, I want to make good use of my strong data analysis and decision-making abilities, and I enjoy working with others to make a strong impact by increasing a team's functionality" is a good answer to this interview question.

What is an operations analyst and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025

4 min read

Quoted experts

Erik Johnson Ph.D.,

George Dierberger

An operations analyst helps organizations improve their efficiency and effectiveness. They analyze business processes, identify areas for improvement, and develop strategies to optimize operations. Operations analysts use data analysis tools to collect and analyze data, create reports, and make recommendations to management on how to improve business processes. They also work closely with different departments within the organization to ensure that all processes are aligned with the organization's goals.

What general advice would you give to an operations analyst?

Erik Johnson Ph.D.

Assistant Professor of Economics, Carthage College

Economics gives you a set of tools to analyze a variety of policy and business problems. However, determining which tools to apply in which situation requires that you learn the industry, you are working from top to bottom. When you begin a new job in a new field, be sure to do everything you can to understand how the organization and the industry work to understand the primary incentives that everyone faces. One right way to do this is to make as many connections within the company you are working for as possible, and always be on the lookout for new opportunities within the company and how they can help you learn more. Moreover, do your best to ensure that a significant portion of your job involves some creative endeavors, such as economic modeling or building tools for yourself or others to use. As computing power continues to become cheaper, and artificial intelligence becomes more advanced, relatively repetitive tasks become more comfortable and easier to automate. Therefore, you will have less job security. Creative tasks, such as modeling and tool building, are difficult to automate and are more likely to provide you with more satisfaction.

ScoreOperations AnalystUS Average

Salary

4.9

Avg. Salary $63,082

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability level

4.6

Growth rate 23%

Growth rate 0.3%

Diversity

3.7

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.62%

Asian 11.20%

Black or African American 12.65%

Hispanic or Latino 13.77%

Unknown 5.97%

White 55.79%

Gender

female 41.15%

male 58.85%

Age - 44

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 44

Stress level

4.6

Stress level is manageable

7.1 - high

Complexity level

9.9

Complexity level is advanced

7 - challenging

Work life balance

5.8

Work life balance is fair

6.4 - fair

What are the pros and cons of being an operations analyst?

Pros

Exposure to different technologies and software tools
Good salary and career growth potential
Ability to work in a team environment
Opportunities for project management experience
Ability to make a significant impact on the organization's bottom line

Cons

Can be high-pressure with tight deadlines
May require long hours or weekend work during peak periods
Can be stressful working with high-stakes decisions
Requires the ability to manage multiple priorities at once
May require travel for meetings or other business needs

Key steps to become an operations analyst

Explore operations analyst education requirements

Most common operations analyst degrees

Bachelor's

71.8 %

Associate

11.7 %

Master's

11.3 %

Start to develop specific operations analyst skills

Skills	Percentages
Customer Service	10.10%
SQL	5.77%
Data Analysis	5.56%
Project Management	5.30%
Process Improvement	4.62%

Complete relevant operations analyst training and internships

Accountants spend an average of 6-12 months on post-employment, on-the-job training. New operations analysts learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as an operations analyst based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real operations analyst resumes.

Research operations analyst duties and responsibilities

Manage EDI error processing and exception reporting and interface with the state exchanges to facilitate resolution.
Excel in liaising between business and technical areas to achieve on-time, on-budget and on-spec project completions.
Develop VBA macros to automate various data intensive processes
Manage IP distribution services domestically and globally to enterprise and broadband customers.

Prepare your operations analyst resume

When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your operations analyst resume.

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