Become An Operations Research Analyst

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Working As An Operations Research Analyst

Interacting With Computers
Analyzing Data or Information
Making Decisions and Solving Problems
Getting Information
Thinking Creatively

Mostly Sitting
$74,235
Average Salary

What Does An Operations Research Analyst Do

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

Duties

Operations research analysts typically do the following:

Identify and solve real-world problems in areas such as business, logistics, healthcare, or other fields
Collect and organize information from a variety of sources, such as computer databases, sales histories, and customer feedback
Gather input from workers involved in all aspects of a problem or from others who have specialized knowledge, so that they can help solve the problem
Examine information to figure out what is relevant to a problem and what methods might be used to analyze it
Use statistical analysis, simulations, predictive modeling, or other methods to analyze information and develop practical solutions to business problems
Advise managers and other decision makers on the impacts of various courses of action to take in order to address a problem
Write memos, reports, and other documents explaining their findings and recommendations for managers, executives, and other officials

Operations research analysts are involved in all aspects of an organization. They help managers decide how to allocate resources, develop production schedules, manage the supply chain, and set prices. For example, they may help decide how to organize products in supermarkets or help companies figure out the most effective way to ship and distribute products.

Analysts must first identify and understand the problem to be solved or the processes to be improved. Analysts typically collect relevant data from the field and interview clients or managers involved in the business processes being examined. Analysts show the implications of pursuing different actions and may assist in achieving a consensus on how to proceed.

Operations research analysts use sophisticated computer software, such as databases and statistical programs, and modeling packages, to analyze and solve problems. Analysts use these mathematical programs to simulate current and future events and evaluate alternative courses of action. 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 may 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 arrived at is successful.

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How To Become An Operations Research Analyst

Although applicants may need a master’s degree for most operations research positions, a bachelor’s degree is enough for some entry-level positions. Because few schools offer bachelor’s and advanced degree programs in operations research, analysts typically have degrees in other, related fields.

Education

Although some employers prefer to hire applicants with a master’s degree, many entry-level positions are available for those with a bachelor’s degree. Although some schools offer bachelor’s and advanced degree programs in operations research, some analysts have degrees in other technical or quantitative fields, such as engineering, computer science, analytics, or mathematics.

Because operations research is based on quantitative analysis, students need extensive coursework in mathematics. Courses include statistics, calculus, and linear algebra. Coursework in computer science is important because analysts rely on advanced statistical and database software to analyze and model data. 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.

Continuing education is important for operations research analysts. Keeping up with advances in technology, software tools, and improved analytical methods is vital.

Other Experience

Many operations research analysts who work with the military are veterans of the U.S. Armed Forces.

Some positions may require applicants to undergo a background check in order to attain a security clearance.

Important Qualities

Analytical skills. Operations research analysts use a wide range of methods, such as forecasting, data mining, and statistical analysis, to examine and interpret data. They must determine the appropriate software packages and understand computer programming languages to design and develop new techniques and models.

Communication skills. Operations research analysts often present their data and conclusions to managers and other executives. They also need to communicate technical information to people without a technical background.

Critical-thinking skills. Operations research analysts must be able to figure out what information is relevant to their work. They also must be able to evaluate the costs and benefits of alternative solutions before making a recommendation.

Interpersonal skills. Operations research analysts typically work on teams. They also need to be able to convince managers and top executives to accept their recommendations.

Math skills. The models and methods used by operations research analysts are rooted in statistics, calculus, linear algebra, and other advanced mathematical disciplines.

Problem-solving skills. Operations research analysts need to be able to diagnose problems on the basis of information given to them by others. They then analyze relevant information to solve the problems.

Writing skills. Operations research analysts write memos, reports, and other documents explaining their findings and recommendations.

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Operations Research Analyst jobs

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Operations Research Analyst Career Paths

Operations Research Analyst

Researcher Instructor Operations Manager

Assistant Vice President

7 Yearsyrs

Senior Analyst Senior Finance Analyst Controller

Corporate Controller

12 Yearsyrs

Engineer Engineering Manager Senior Manager

Director Of Analytics

13 Yearsyrs

Senior Analyst Senior Consultant Senior Manager

Director Of Information

10 Yearsyrs

Engineer Operations Manager Purchasing Manager

Director Of Purchasing

10 Yearsyrs

Adjunct Professor Facilities Manager Purchasing Manager

Director Of Sourcing

13 Yearsyrs

Adjunct Professor Development Manager Purchasing Manager

Director, Procurement

13 Yearsyrs

Researcher Research Associate Software Engineer

Engineering Manager

10 Yearsyrs

Senior Manager Controller

Finance Controller

9 Yearsyrs

Senior Consultant Information Technology Manager

Information Technology Director

10 Yearsyrs

Program Analyst Business Analyst Senior Finance Analyst

Manager Finance Planning And Analysis

8 Yearsyrs

Program Manager General Manager

Operations Director

9 Yearsyrs

Business Analyst Product Manager Sales Manager

Operations Manager

7 Yearsyrs

Program Manager Operations Director

President Of Operations

11 Yearsyrs

Project Manager Consultant Senior Consultant

Program Manager

8 Yearsyrs

Senior Consultant Product Manager Operations Manager

Purchasing Manager

9 Yearsyrs

Program Analyst Program Manager Operations Director

Senior Director, Operations

14 Yearsyrs

Business Analyst Senior Consultant

Senior Manager

10 Yearsyrs

Project Manager Program Manager

Senior Project Manager

12 Yearsyrs

Senior Manager Operations Director

Supply Chain Director

14 Yearsyrs

Average Length of Employment

Top Careers Before Operations Research Analyst

Top Careers After Operations Research Analyst

Operations Research Analyst Demographics

Gender

Male
65.9%
Female
29.5%
Unknown
4.6%

Ethnicity

White
75.6%
Asian
13.8%
Hispanic or Latino
7.4%
Unknown
2.3%
Black or African American
0.9%

Languages Spoken

Spanish
36.4%
Korean
9.1%
German
7.3%
French
7.3%
Japanese
5.5%
Mandarin
5.5%
Russian
5.5%
Chinese
3.6%
Portuguese
1.8%
Urdu
1.8%
Dutch
1.8%
Ukrainian
1.8%
Hebrew
1.8%
Hindi
1.8%
Polish
1.8%
Cantonese
1.8%
Uzbek
1.8%
Arabic
1.8%
Italian
1.8%

Operations Research Analyst

Unfortunately we don’t have enough data for this section.

Operations Research Analyst Education

Schools

Northeastern University
11.7%
Naval Postgraduate School
9.1%
George Washington University
7.0%
George Mason University
6.7%
Rochester Institute of Technology
6.4%
Pennsylvania State University
5.4%
University of Phoenix
5.0%
Georgia Institute of Technology -
5.0%
Drexel University
5.0%
Johns Hopkins University
5.0%
University of Maryland - College Park
4.0%
Florida Institute of Technology-Melbourne
4.0%
University of Southern California
3.7%
Air Force Institute of Technology
3.4%
Purdue University
3.4%
American University
3.4%
State University of New York Buffalo
3.0%
Wright State University
3.0%
University of Louisville
3.0%
University of Cincinnati
2.7%

Majors

Business 15.5%
Operations Research 12.4%
Mathematics 9.4%
Industrial Engineering 7.9%
Mechanical Engineering 6.7%
Management 5.3%
Chemical Engineering 4.8%
Computer Science 4.3%
Finance 4.2%
Economics 3.8%
Biomedical Engineering 3.4%
Electrical Engineering 3.1%
Computer Information Systems 3.1%
Statistics 3.0%
Chemistry 2.6%
Engineering 2.4%
Project Management 2.2%
Systems Engineering 2.0%
Engineering And Industrial Management 2.0%
Information Technology 1.9%

Degrees

Masters
44.6%
Bachelors
33.7%
Doctorate
9.1%
Other
8.3%
Certificate
2.3%
Associate
1.6%
Diploma
0.4%

Operations Research Analyst

Unfortunately we don’t have enough data for this section.

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Real Operations Research Analyst Salaries

Job Title	Company	Location	Start Date	Salary
Operations Research Analyst	Xavier Sun	Santa Monica, CA	Aug 26, 2016	$265,000
Operations Research Analyst	Hylink (USA) Digital Solutions Co., Ltd.	Santa Monica, CA	Aug 26, 2016	$265,000
Operations Research Analyst	Cathy Jean, Inc.	Irvine, CA	Jan 06, 2015	$250,000
Operations Research Analyst	Cathy Jean, Inc.	Irvine, CA	Nov 30, 2016	$250,000
Operations Research Analyst-Product Director	Zappos Ip, Inc.	Las Vegas, NV	Apr 09, 2016	$241,000
Operations Research Analyst	Pace Harmon, LLC	Vienna, VA	Sep 04, 2016	$209,900
Operations Research Developer	Pinnacle Technical Resources Inc.	Dallas, TX	Dec 26, 2016	$177,395
Operations Research Analyst	Renaissance Technologies LLC	Setauket-East Setauket, NY	Jan 31, 2015	$175,470 - $177,713
Senior Operations Research Analyst	Adi Strategies, Inc.	Carlsbad, CA	Jul 27, 2016	$175,000
Operation Research Analyst for Corporate Finance	United Pos Solutions Inc.	Hackensack, NJ	Sep 12, 2015	$170,571
Operation Research Analyst for Corporate Finance	United Merchant Services Inc.	Hackensack, NJ	Sep 12, 2015	$170,571
Operations Research Analyst	Carolina Herrera, Ltd.	New York, NY	Jun 02, 2016	$160,000
Business Analytics Director/Operations Research Analyst	Visa USA	Foster City, CA	Jun 27, 2016	$155,000 - $175,000
Operations Research Analyst	Dane ELEC Corp. USA	Irvine, CA	Jul 28, 2016	$78,478
Pharmaceutical Operations Research Analyst	Swarn, Inc.	Bothell, WA	Aug 18, 2015	$78,458
Operations Research Analyst	ZT Wealth, Inc.	Pearland, TX	Oct 22, 2015	$78,270
Sales Operations Research Analyst	Heat Software USA Inc.	Milpitas, CA	May 10, 2016	$78,000
Operations Research Analyst	Llamasoft, Inc.	Ann Arbor, MI	Dec 24, 2015	$78,000
Operations Research Analyst	Innovative Scheduling, LLC	Gainesville, FL	Mar 03, 2015	$78,000
Operations Research Analyst	Amekor Industries Inc.	Conshohocken, PA	Dec 23, 2015	$77,688
Operations Research Analyst	Amekor Industries Inc.	Conshohocken, PA	Oct 29, 2015	$77,688
Operations Research Analyst	WNS North America Inc.	New York, NY	Sep 10, 2015	$63,000
Operations Research Analyst	YT Resolution Services LLC	New York, NY	Oct 01, 2015	$63,000
Operations Research Analyst	Hapag-Lloyd (America), LLC	Miramar, FL	May 10, 2016	$63,000
IT & Operations Research Analyst	Western Reserve Group Mutual Casualty Company	Wooster, OH	Jan 09, 2016	$63,000
Operations Research Analyst	WNS North America Inc.	New York, NY	Jan 09, 2016	$63,000
Operations Research Analyst	Advance Fireproof Door, Inc.	Clifton, NJ	Feb 11, 2015	$62,920
Operations Research Analysts	ZEIL Global Enterprises Inc.	Union City, CA	Sep 21, 2016	$62,860

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Top Skills for An Operations Research Analyst

Top Operations Research Analyst Skills

Operations Research
Technical Support
Procedures

You can check out examples of real life uses of top skills on resumes here:

Provided operations research analysis in designing process to ensure the system's accuracy and efficiency.
Provide technical support for users.
Develop financial oversight procedures and plan financial systems upgrades.
Consulted with the customer on possible solutions to data management and data presentation and data analysis questions/problems.
Lead team interacting with corporate, divisional, and customer personnel in defining goals and resolution of problem issues.