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Job outlook for operations analysts in the United States
Operations analyst job growth summary. After extensive research, interviews, and analysis, Zippia's data science team found that:
The projected operations analyst job growth rate is 23% from 2018-2028.
About 24,200 new jobs for operations analysts are projected over the next decade.
Operations analyst salaries have increased 9% for operations analysts in the last 5 years.
There are over 160,068 operations analysts currently employed in the United States.
There are 141,707 active operations analyst job openings in the US.
The average operations analyst salary is $63,082.
Are operations analyst jobs in demand?
Operations analyst job and salary trends over time
Operations analyst jobs over time
Operations analyst job growth rate over time
| Year | # of jobs | % of population |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 160,068 | 0.05% |
| 2020 | 156,413 | 0.05% |
| 2019 | 151,740 | 0.05% |
| 2018 | 151,311 | 0.05% |
| 2017 | 148,889 | 0.05% |
Average operations analyst salary over time
Operations analyst salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $63,082 | $30.33 | +1.6% |
| 2024 | $62,065 | $29.84 | +1.7% |
| 2023 | $61,026 | $29.34 | +2.5% |
| 2022 | $59,562 | $28.64 | +2.8% |
| 2021 | $57,960 | $27.87 | +0.7% |
Operations analyst jobs by state
Most common states for operations analysts
| Rank | State | Population | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | District of Columbia | 693,972 | 856 | 123% |
| 2 | Delaware | 961,939 | 300 | 31% |
| 3 | Virginia | 8,470,020 | 2,493 | 29% |
| 4 | Utah | 3,101,833 | 859 | 28% |
| 5 | Alaska | 739,795 | 207 | 28% |
| 6 | Minnesota | 5,576,606 | 1,510 | 27% |
| 7 | Wyoming | 579,315 | 158 | 27% |
| 8 | Maryland | 6,052,177 | 1,547 | 26% |
| 9 | Oregon | 4,142,776 | 1,082 | 26% |
| 10 | Washington | 7,405,743 | 1,822 | 25% |
| 11 | Georgia | 10,429,379 | 2,478 | 24% |
| 12 | Massachusetts | 6,859,819 | 1,660 | 24% |
| 13 | Kansas | 2,913,123 | 687 | 24% |
| 14 | Nebraska | 1,920,076 | 470 | 24% |
| 15 | Indiana | 6,666,818 | 1,501 | 23% |
| 16 | Idaho | 1,716,943 | 389 | 23% |
| 17 | Montana | 1,050,493 | 242 | 23% |
| 18 | South Dakota | 869,666 | 204 | 23% |
| 19 | Vermont | 623,657 | 139 | 22% |
| 20 | Maine | 1,335,907 | 286 | 21% |
Most common cities for operations analysts
| Rank | City | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl | Avg. salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Springfield | 6 | 5% | $63,826 |
| 2 | Atlanta | 19 | 4% | $47,808 |
| 3 | Boston | 17 | 3% | $60,326 |
| 4 | Tallahassee | 6 | 3% | $48,919 |
| 5 | Washington | 12 | 2% | $75,467 |
| 6 | Denver | 11 | 2% | $57,911 |
| 7 | Tampa | 9 | 2% | $49,797 |
| 8 | Chicago | 29 | 1% | $65,199 |
| 9 | Jacksonville | 7 | 1% | $49,115 |
| 10 | Baltimore | 6 | 1% | $68,892 |
| 11 | Colorado Springs | 6 | 1% | $58,245 |
| 12 | San Francisco | 6 | 1% | $74,978 |
| 13 | Seattle | 6 | 1% | $63,536 |
| 14 | Austin | 5 | 1% | $62,523 |
| 15 | New York | 15 | 0% | $69,734 |
| 16 | Phoenix | 8 | 0% | $58,389 |
| 17 | Houston | 7 | 0% | $62,821 |
| 18 | Dallas | 5 | 0% | $61,316 |
Operations Analyst job outlook: Expert opinions
Our panel of operations analyst experts
UMass Lowell
Merrimack College
University of Cincinnati Clermont College
University of Washington
Widener University
University of Southern Maine
Western Kentucky University
SUNY College at Geneseo
John Jay College of Criminal Justice of the City University of New York
University of California, Santa Cruz
Siena College
Ottawa University at Overland Park
Michael Ciuchta Ph.D.
Associate Professor, Program Coordinator, Masters of Science in EntrepreneurshipUMass Lowell
Department of Marketing, Entrepreneurship & Innovation
What general advice would you give to an Operations Analyst?
Michael Ciuchta Ph.D.: Remember that your first job does not define your career. You may build a career around that first job or you may use it as a valuable learning experience to change careers at some point. Eventually, what we call our careers are only really seen in hindsight. They are part of a narrative we construct about ourselves. So, don't worry to much about whether you are on the 'right path'. The right path is the one you chose at the time given the constraints and alternatives before you. But make the most of every opportunity you can to learn more about yourself - what you like, what you don't like, and what you find fulfilling about your work.
What Operations Analyst skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Michael Ciuchta Ph.D.: Obviously we are seeing a tremendous increase in AI and other digital technologies. These will become a more crucial skill set for many careers going forward. But I wouldn't downplay the role of what are traditionally seen as soft skills like empathy, communications, and judgment. Not only can these distinguish you from robots but from your human competitors as well.
What will help Operations Analysts increase their earning potential?
Michael Ciuchta Ph.D.: If all you want is the highest potential starting salary, then you should aim for careers that offer them. But that is a shortsighted way to view things. For example, many careers that have tournament-like pay structures (think entertainment) often have very low starting salaries but the so-called winners enjoy outsized financial gains. If you are thinking about a more traditional career, I think it's important to make sure you are more valuable to your employer than they are to you. This means you have to market yourself, both to your current employer as well as to potential ones. Of course, this approach may not be for everyone and maximizing your salary potential is only one thing you should be considering when assessing job and career opportunities.
What general advice would you give to an Operations Analyst?
Reshad Osmani PhD: As a new graduate starting your career, I recommend staying curious, being open to learning from others, seeking feedback, building networks, and being proactive in tackling challenges. Keep developing your analytical skills, stay adaptable, and remember that mistakes are opportunities for growth. Learning by doing should be your number one priority.
What Operations Analyst skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Reshad Osmani PhD: To maximize your salary potential when starting your career, consider the following strategies: negotiate your starting salary based on market research, demonstrate your value through accomplishments, seek out opportunities for advancement and growth, continuously improve your skills, consider additional certifications or degrees, and be willing to explore job opportunities that offer competitive compensation packages.
What will help Operations Analysts increase their earning potential?
Reshad Osmani PhD: In the next 3-5 years, skills like data analysis, digital literacy, adaptability, emotional intelligence, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills are likely to become even more important across various fields due to the increasing influence of technology, automation, and remote work trends. Additionally, skills related to cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, and sustainability may also gain prominence.
Renee Robinson Ph.D.
Professor of CommunicationWhat general advice would you give to an Operations Analyst?
Renee Robinson Ph.D.: How can you maximize your salary potential when starting your career in your field?
What Operations Analyst skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Renee Robinson Ph.D.: What skills do you think will become more important and prevalent in the field in the next 3-5 years?
What will help Operations Analysts increase their earning potential?
Renee Robinson Ph.D.: That would be awesome! We were hoping you could answer the following questions: 1. What general advice would you give to a graduate beginning their career in the field?
What general advice would you give to an Operations Analyst?
Rebecca Bird MAS, BS MT(ASCP): Skills that will become more important in the future are understanding quality measures. Six Sigma Lean principles are very applicable to what we do and help to keep a balanced workflow. A second thing is to understand that you and your coworkers are human. Find resilience tools that help you to keep a calm focus and practice good communication. Stay connected to national organizations for articles and training to stay connected to the future.
What Operations Analyst skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Rebecca Bird MAS, BS MT(ASCP): To maximize your salary potential, obtain some experience while you are in school. If there is a clinic to volunteer at or a student job in a lab, take it. Higher pay is almost always offered to the evening and night shift technicians. If your new workplace is on 8-hour nights or evenings, create a schedule where evenings and nights do 10s or 12s and suggest it to the leadership. This makes a much better work-life balance.
What will help Operations Analysts increase their earning potential?
Rebecca Bird MAS, BS MT(ASCP): As a new graduate, remember why you decided on this career. Was it because you liked to help people? Then remember your results are improving the quality of life for another person. Is it because you like detective work? Then view each sample as a puzzle to work through. Is it because you want to further your education? Then never stop learning.
What Operations Analyst skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Ning Ye Ph.D.: Firstly, you need to research your salary benchmarks. Look up salary benchmarks for the role or industry you are entering into before joining the job market. Websites such as Payscale, Glassdoor and LinkedIn Salary can give valuable input concerning what others in equivalent positions earn. Such knowledge will help set realistic expectations and negotiate well. Select employers who invest in their employees' growth and development. Companies that have good mentoring programs, a way for advancement, and a positive culture tend to have better long-term salary prospects. Make a commitment to life-long learning and professional development. Keep abreast with new trends in your industry and keep upgrading your skills all along. Employers are more likely to invest in employees who demonstrate a commitment to their own growth and development. It is important to obtain certifications relevant to your field that can make you a more attractive candidate and justify higher salary demands. For instance, certifications in project management (PMP), data analysis (Google Data Analytics), or digital marketing (Google Analytics) can set you apart.
What general advice would you give to an Operations Analyst?
Marilyn Krogh: Statistical and communication skills are always in demand, and familiarity with a little AI would be a bonus.
What Operations Analyst skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Marilyn Krogh: Know yourself—take time to identify and name your own strengths, interests and priorities in your work life. Take advantage of the services from your university career development center.
What will help Operations Analysts increase their earning potential?
Marilyn Krogh: Have a strong undergraduate portfolio, do an internship before graduation, and be willing to 'go an extra mile' for your employer.
What general advice would you give to an Operations Analyst?
Dr. David Powell Ph.D.: Job security is one of the primary advantages of being a public administrator. Public administrators also enjoy a great variety in job functions and duties. While average salaries may be a bit lower when compared to the private sector, benefits are usually superior to what private firms offer.
What Operations Analyst skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Adam Roth: I recommend that students start by identifying a specific skill in demand within your field, such as data analysis or social media marketing, and focus on developing expertise in that area. Research salary ranges and living costs in particular areas where you’re interested in working to ensure your compensation aligns with the local market. Always negotiate a salary and consider other aspects of the offer, such as funds for continuing education, technology and more. Continuing to network and establish demand for your services is essential; attend industry events, join professional associations, and engage with professionals in your field. Never miss an opportunity to reach out to and check in with your professional contacts. Pursue additional learning opportunities and education, such as certifications or advanced degrees, to provide a competitive advantage and increase your earning potential over time.
What general advice would you give to an Operations Analyst?
Melissa Zimdars: To remember that you're going to learn a lot on the job and that failure is part of the learning process. It's okay to ask questions and to not know things, but you must be willing to take feedback, adjust, and grow.
What Operations Analyst skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Melissa Zimdars: - The ability to communicate effectively is an evergreen skill that only seems to be getting more important as the number of ways we communicate with each other, our supervisors, and with clients or outside stakeholders keeps expanding. - The ability to adapt to and learn how to navigate new technologies and platforms.
What will help Operations Analysts increase their earning potential?
Melissa Zimdars: Recognize that your first career opportunity won't be your last. If the job you land after college does not have opportunities for growth or advancement, it's imperative that you keep an eye out for them elsewhere as you continue to gain experience in your field.
Fawen Zhang PhD
Professor of AudiologyUniversity of Cincinnati Clermont College
Communication Disorders Sciences And Services
What general advice would you give to an Operations Analyst?
Fawen Zhang PhD: This is perfect! Thank you so much. We will be sure to feature your response in the article and send a draft over for your review before we promote it.
What Operations Analyst skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Fawen Zhang PhD: This is perfect! Thank you so much. We will be sure to feature your response in the article and send a draft over for your review before we promote it.
What will help Operations Analysts increase their earning potential?
Fawen Zhang PhD: This is perfect! Thank you so much. We will be sure to feature your response in the article and send a draft over for your review before we promote it.
What general advice would you give to an Operations Analyst?
Victor Menaldo: Learn, learn and learn some more. Adopt a growth mindset where you never stop learning. Gain economic literacy and financial literacy and historical literacy and statistical literacy. This will allow you to complement AI: ask it good questions, contextualize and evaluate its answers, and ask good follow up questions.
What Operations Analyst skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Victor Menaldo: Interacting with AI and knowing how to best exploit it to get the most out of it: increase productivity and value added in whatever field one is in.
What will help Operations Analysts increase their earning potential?
Victor Menaldo: Develop oral communication skills that allow you to speak in an articulate manner and organize your thoughts to signal your competence, knowledge, work ethic, and willingness to keep learning and improving.
Tongyang Yang Ph.D.
Assistant Professor of Economics and Business AnalyticsWidener University
Business/Commerce
What Operations Analyst skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Tongyang Yang Ph.D.: The rise of AI has brought many opportunities for the professions like business analysts in terms of AI integration. Businesses will need analysts who can bridge the gap between AI and human needs and focus on more strategic areas like identifying ethical considerations of AI implementation, developing plans to mitigate AI bias, and designing human-AI collaboration workflows. For people who are interested in entering this profession, I would suggest adapting your skillset to include AI understanding, data storytelling, and strategic thinking to be well-positioned in the future.
Tove Rasmussen
LecturerUniversity of Southern Maine
Specialized Sales, Merchandising And Marketing Operations
What general advice would you give to an Operations Analyst?
Tove Rasmussen: Tove Rasmussen advises graduates beginning their career in the field to...
What Operations Analyst skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Tove Rasmussen: Tove Rasmussen believes that the skills that will become more important and prevalent in the field in the next 3-5 years are...
What will help Operations Analysts increase their earning potential?
Tove Rasmussen: Tove Rasmussen suggests that to maximize salary potential when starting a career in the field, individuals should...
What general advice would you give to an Operations Analyst?
Timothy Rich PhD: Social science research skills, including research design and quantitative analysis, have broad applications (e.g. local government, think tanks, campaigns, non-profits, business) and students need to be comfortable with data. Writing skills aren't being replaced by ChatGPT, and students need to learn how to write for different audiences and not just for the typical final paper. That means being able to explain complex events or data and synthesize information to someone who has little knowledge about the topic. Students tend to distrust group projects, but learning to work in groups is also a transferable skill and an important one even if working remotely.
What Operations Analyst skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Timothy Rich PhD: Think about the types of jobs that interest you and the skills necessary for those jobs early. So many students start thinking about post-graduation life spring their senior year, when it should be an incremental process much earlier. Another pieces of advice would be to talk to faculty and alum about your interests, find internship or research opportunities when possible, and try to figure out early your strengths and weaknesses. It's easy for students, especially high performing ones, to not fully consider what their weaknesses are. I encourage students to jot down what they see as their skills too and to share them with others. It helps them to identify what's a common skill versus something that might make them stick out.
What will help Operations Analysts increase their earning potential?
Timothy Rich PhD: In social science fields, many of the highest paid jobs straight out are government related or data analysis related. Without developing research, writing, and in some cases foreign language skills, this will be a limitation. Depending on the desired job, a graduate degree may be required and students should be maximizing their exposure to graduate-style experiences as undergrads to not only get into prestigious law schools, master's programs, etc., but to take advantage of the internship and research opportunities that first year entrants are rarely equipped to handle.
Jasmine Tang
SUNY College at Geneseo
Bilingual, Multilingual, And Multicultural Education
What Operations Analyst skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Jasmine Tang: Be confident of their major/minor or the subject they like and do best of the field they like for themselves not for money or please their parents or fulfill the dream of others.
What will help Operations Analysts increase their earning potential?
Jasmine Tang: I always advise the students to apply any job that accept their degree or go for the one they really like.
Professor Shonna Trinch Ph.D.
ProfessorJohn Jay College of Criminal Justice of the City University of New York
Ethnic, Cultural Minority, Gender, And Group Studies
What general advice would you give to an Operations Analyst?
Professor Shonna Trinch Ph.D.: Being able to negotiate a salary is also a skill that students need to learn and one that is rarely taught in college. Students need to be able to ask for more than they are offered, but also take jobs at entry levels, prove themselves and then ask for an increase in pay six months into the job after they have shown that they are doing the work and achieving their goals.
What Operations Analyst skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Professor Shonna Trinch Ph.D.: Analysis and critical thinking, writing and making strong arguments are indispensable job market skills. Concepts such as 'ethnicity,' 'gender' and 'minority' are constructed in social and historical spaces and times, and students with college degrees can help de-naturalize these categories to make others understand how policy, programming and marketing might not be achieving their stated goals.
What will help Operations Analysts increase their earning potential?
Professor Shonna Trinch Ph.D.: My advice to anyone graduating in any field is to think about the skills they have acquired in college and to represent them well on their resume. If students have been trained in quantitative or qualitative research methods, they should be able to talk cogently about the types of analysis they can do for businesses, policymakers and the like. They should also be open to any field when they are first starting out. Today, businesses are interested in Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, and because many of these programs are not perfect, well-trained students in Ethnic, Gender And Minority Studies--as well as related fields like Cultural Anthropology-- are well positioned to take entry level jobs and critically analyze programs and implement them in justice-oriented ways.
What general advice would you give to an Operations Analyst?
Stephanie Lain Ph.D.: Look for a unionized job, preferably in a large institution where there is room for job growth. For students trained in linguistics, there are also often opportunities to work in tech, so this might be something to explore.
What Operations Analyst skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Stephanie Lain Ph.D.: I would advise graduates to be open to considering jobs in lots of different fields. The skills acquired through their major- such as problem-solving, critical thinking, and writing- are ones that transfer well to a variety of situations.
What will help Operations Analysts increase their earning potential?
Stephanie Lain Ph.D.: The most important skills in my view are flexibility in thinking- the ability to apply knowledge to new situations- and the so-called "soft skills", being able to work with people face-to-face. This is a skill that has somewhat been lost with the advent of Zoom and rise of AI technologies but it is very important in building human connection.
What general advice would you give to an Operations Analyst?
Sunita Goel PhD: Great. Will send you the responses soon. Please let me know the latest deadline by which you need them.
What general advice would you give to an Operations Analyst?
Russ McCullough PhD: Business Economics is a degree that can open many doors for careers. You can feel confident applying to positions that are open to many business degrees because economics gives you a quantitative edge over many other degrees. Therefore, I recommend that you create a vision of the type of job you see yourself at in 10 years and apply to positions now that help you build the skill set to get there. For example, if you are a good communicator, look for some more sales oriented positions. If you are more of a number cruncher, then look for more analyst oriented positions. Smaller companies will likely have more cross-training experiences available while large corporations will likely focus your skills in on a particular area.
What Operations Analyst skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Russ McCullough PhD: Critical thinking about data and telling a good story will be valuable skills in the near future as AI continues to evolve. The more you can bring innovative solutions to your company, the more valuable you will become. Chat GPT and other AI solutions will allow you to assemble information quickly, but you will need to fill in the important details that make it unique to a company.
What will help Operations Analysts increase their earning potential?
Russ McCullough PhD: When starting your career, it is important to stay in the minds of your bosses. Attend special events the company is hosting, and practice your relationship skills. Do some research on small talk, hand-shakes, and being comfortable in settings outside of your direct workspace. This is definitely a skill so that you do not come off "weird", make sure to practice it in low-cost settings like church and Walmart. You will then be more comfortable in the parking lot, elevator, or other common space when you have that chance meeting with your boss.
What general advice would you give to an Operations Analyst?
Oliver Keys Jr: The power of mentorships and networking early in your career will be beneficial in the long run. Also, understanding that professional skills can be half the battle. Showing up on time, dressing appropriately, and communicating effectively can be challenging for some students. Internships and externships are great for students to get technical and professional experience.