California ranks 19th of 49 states and D.C. for operations research analysts pay, trailing top-paying Virginia ($123,050) by $26,130 — a 27% gap.
California employs roughly 10.2% of all operations research analysts in the country (11,030 workers).
Salary Range: 10th to 90th Percentile
Full Percentile Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual Wage | Hourly Wage |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry-level) | $63,790 | $30.67 |
| 25th percentile | $76,540 | $36.80 |
| 50th percentile (median) | $96,920 | $46.60 |
| 75th percentile | $127,710 | $61.40 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $167,170 | $80.37 |
| Mean (average) | $108,220 | $52.03 |
How California Compares
| State | Median Annual | vs. California |
|---|---|---|
| California (current) | $96,920 | n/a |
| Virginia | $123,050 | +27% |
| Alabama | $117,540 | +21% |
| District of Columbia | $115,980 | +20% |
| New York | $109,440 | +13% |
| Vermont | $108,800 | +12% |
| Ohio | $104,610 | +8% |
| Colorado | $104,560 | +8% |
| Illinois | $102,750 | +6% |
Showing top-paying states with available data. View all states →
Related Occupations in California
| Occupation | Median Annual | Employment |
|---|---|---|
| Education Administrators, All Other | $96,950 | 11,110 |
| Chemists | $97,010 | 8,480 |
| Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education | $96,820 | 46,530 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers | $97,080 | 72,660 |
| Accountants and Auditors | $96,360 | 173,370 |
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $97,520 | 13,200 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average Operations Research Analysts salary in California?
The mean operations research analysts salary in California is $108,220 per year. The median (middle) salary is $96,920 per year.
What is the starting salary for a Operations Research Analysts in California?
Entry-level operations research analystss (10th percentile) in California typically earn around $63,790 per year. Workers at the 25th percentile earn approximately $76,540 per year.
What is the highest Operations Research Analysts salary in California?
Top earners (90th percentile) in this occupation in California make approximately $167,170 per year. Those in the 75th percentile earn around $127,710 per year.
How does the California Operations Research Analysts salary compare to the national average?
The median operations research analysts salary in California is $96,920, which is +6% above national average of $91,290.