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Operations Research Analyst III Salary in the United States

How much does an Operations Research Analyst III make in the United States?

As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for an Operations Research Analyst III in the United States is $98,477 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $47.

However, an Operations Research Analyst III's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $113,841
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $88,628 to $106,519
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $79,661
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence Operations Research Analyst III Salaries

An Operations Research Analyst III's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location, education and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Operations Research Analyst III Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of an Operations Research Analyst III's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here's how the average salary grows at different career stages:

  • Operations Research Analyst I (0-2 years): $69,007
  • Operations Research Analyst II (2-4 years): $85,507
  • Operations Research Analyst III (4-7 years): $98,477
  • Operations Research Analyst IV (7+ years): $113,135
  • Operations Research Analyst V (7-10 years): $132,482
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Operations Research Analyst I0-2 years$69,007
Operations Research Analyst II2-4 years$85,507
Operations Research Analyst III4-7 years$98,477
Operations Research Analyst IV7+ years$113,135
Operations Research Analyst V7-10 years$132,482
View as Graph

How Do Operations Research Analyst IIIs Salaries Vary from State to State?

Your salary can change significantly depending on where you work. States with a higher cost of living and strong industrial sectors often pay more to attract Operations Research Analyst IIIs. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $109,034.
  • California: $108,620.
  • Massachusetts: $107,173.

Top Paying Cities for Operations Research Analyst III

Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:

  • San Jose: $124,209
  • San Francisco: $122,849
  • Oakland: $120,260

What Skills Can Increase an Operations Research Analyst III's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Analysis (Mentioned in 18.09% Job Postings): Analysis is the process of considering something carefully or using statistical methods in order to understand it or explain it.
  • Accounting (Mentioned in 1.92% Job Postings): Creating financial statements and reports based on the summary of financial and business transactions.
  • Microsoft Excel (Mentioned in 1.23% Job Postings): Microsoft Excel is a spreadsheet developed by Microsoft for Windows, macOS, Android and iOS. It features calculation or computation capabilities, graphing tools, pivot tables, and a macro programming language called Visual Basic for Applications.
Skills Demand Percentage
Analysis 18.09%
Accounting 1.92%
Microsoft Excel 1.23%
See More Skills

What skills can make your compensation higher?

Mastering certain specialized skills can lead to a significant increase in pay. Here are examples of skills and the potential impact they can have on an Operations Research Analyst III's salary.

  • Insight: Can increase your salary by up to 4%.
  • Logistics: Can increase your salary by up to 3%.
  • Project Management: Can increase your salary by up to 3%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Insight $102,416
4%
Logistics $101,431
3%
Project Management $101,431
3%
Get Latest Data

Operations Research Analyst III Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Operations Research Analyst III salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $110,239. While startup companies pay approximate $93,260.

Operations Research Analyst III Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $93,260
Growth Stage 51~500 $98,633
Established 501~5000 $106,456
Enterprise 5000+ $110,239

Operations Research Analyst III Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Operations Research Analyst III roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 80% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Aerospace & Defense and Biotechnology sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 40% above the average. In contrast, Operations Research Analyst positions in Insurance or Internet typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Operations Research Analyst III as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for an Operations Research Analyst III

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Aerospace & Defense$137,868$66.040%
Biotechnology$132,944$64.035%
Business Services$128,020$62.030%
Chemicals$123,096$59.025%
Construction$118,172$57.020%

How Education impacts an Operations Research Analyst III's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Operations Research Analyst III enter the field with a Bachelor's Degree, higher education can lead to more specialized and higher-paying roles.

According to our 100% employer-reported salary data, the median salary for an Operations Research Analyst III with a Bachelor's Degree is between $90,215 and $96,658.

Operations Research Analyst III Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Operations Research Analyst III
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 5.2%
High School 5.2%
Associates 4.1%
Bachelors 28.4%
Masters 50.5%
Doctorate 11.9%
View as Graph

Operations Research Analyst III Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how an Operations Research Analyst III's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.

Last Updated on August 01, 2026
$88,628
Average $98,477/year
$106,519
$7,386
Average $8,206/month
$8,877
$1,704
Average $1,894/week
$2,048
$43
Average $47/hour
$51
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $106,519 $8,877 $2,048 $51
Average $98,477 $8,206 $1,894 $47
25th Percentile $88,628 $7,386 $1,704 $43

Operations Research Analyst III Salary Growth & Career Path

Operations Research Analyst III

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Advancement

For an Operations Research Analyst III, the most direct path to higher earnings is advancing to the Operations Research Analyst IV role. This promotion typically comes with a significant pay increase, bringing the average annual salary to $113,135 - a projected growth of 15% over your current level.

Most common benefits for Operations Research Analyst III

  • Social Security
  • 401 (k)
  • Disability
  • Healthcare
  • Pension
  • Time Off (days)

Common company salaries for Operations Research Analyst III

Here are companies hiring for Operations Research Analyst III and their salaries, click below for more details.

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FAQ about Operations Research Analyst III

1. Where can an Operations Research Analyst III earn the most?

An Operations Research Analyst III's earning potential can vary widely depending on several factors, including location, industry, experience, education, and the specific employer. According to the latest salary data by Salary.com, an Operations Research Analyst III earns the most in San Jose, CA, where the annual salary of an Operations Research Analyst III is $124,209.

2. What is the highest pay for Operations Research Analyst III?

The highest pay for Operations Research Analyst III is $113,841.

3. What is the lowest pay for Operations Research Analyst III?

The lowest pay for Operations Research Analyst III is $79,661.

4. What are the responsibilities of Operations Research Analyst III?

Collects and analyzes data to evaluate operations and processes and to facilitate complex decision-making. Follows established modeling and evaluation methodologies to determine the effectiveness of current operational activities, isolate problem areas and develop solutions. Tests and validates models and results. Prepares reports that outline and rank proposed solutions and present a range of possible alternatives. Requires a bachelor's degree of mathematics or related field. Typically reports to a supervisor or manager. Contributes to moderately complex aspects of a project. Work is generally independent and collaborative in nature. Typically requires 4 to 7 years of related experience.

5. What industry pays the highest salary for Operations Research Analyst III?

The Aerospace & Defense industry offers the highest average compensation for Operations Research Analyst III roles, with salaries approximately 40% above the market median.

Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

Salary.com provides salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons using data from employer job postings and third-party sources.

We offer detailed salary information across multiple percentiles for your reference. (Click here to learn Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial for Achieving Pay Equity.)

With the most extensive online, real-time compensation data available, Salary.com helps you pinpoint your exact pay target.

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