Operations Research Analyst Career
Operations research analysts help provide information to managers and executives so they can make the best decisions to solve a problem. If you decide to be such an analyst, you will need to learn how to use advanced mathematical and analytical methods.
You would spend time collecting and organizing information from databases, sales reports and customer feedback. Then, you would apply statistical analysis, simulations or modeling tools in order to come up with solutions to business problems in a variety of fields. You may be asked to compile a report or presentation to share your findings.
Operations Research Analyst Career Snapshot
Operations research analysts may work for finance and insurance companies, scientific and technical organizations, or manufacturing facilities. Most operations research analysts that work in the federal government are in the Department of Defense. If you choose this career, you will be working full-time and either in an office or in the field gathering data. You may be expected to travel and work overtime in some cases.
Further details on a career as an operations research analyst are listed below (statistics from the May 2015 Bureau of Labor Statistics and Onet Online):
is the average yearly salary for operations research analysts.
increase in employment between 2014 and 2024.
have a Master’s degree while 30% Bachelor’s degree.
Operations Research Analyst Education
The typical education of an operations research analyst is a master’s degree though some professionals have only a bachelor’s degree and are able to secure entry-level positions. About 11 percent have gone onto complete doctoral degrees in the field.
Operations Research Analyst Job Duties
Since there are multiple ways to solve business problems, analysts add value by weighing the costs and benefits of different solutions and presenting them to executives making the final decisions. As an analyst, you might use computer software to simulate current and future events to discover the best course of action for your organization.
Operations Research Analyst Salaries
If you study to become an operations research analyst, you can expect to make at least $43,520 according to BLS.gov statistics collected in May 2015. The median pay in 2015 was $78,630, and the top performers made $132,500 per year.
Operations Research Analyst Job Outlook
A growth rate of 30 percent from 2014 to 2024 has been projected for operations research analyst jobs. One reason is that as technology continues to advance, companies will keep looking for better ways to improve efficiency and reduce costs. Operations research analysis can help companies make those decisions.
Operations Research Analyst Skills & Traits
| Operations Research Analyst Skill Set: | Required Abilities: | Tools Used by Operations Research Analysts: | Typical Work Activities: |
|---|---|---|---|
| • Complex Problem Solving • Mathematics • Critical Thinking • Active Listening • Decision Making | • Mathematical Reasoning • Number Facility • Written Comprehension • Deductive Reasoning • Inductive Reasoning | • Desktop/notebook computers • Analytical or scientific software • Business intelligence and data analysis software • ERP software • Operating system software | • Working with computers • Analyzing data • Problem solving • Getting information • Creative thinking |
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