SOC 15-2031 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Operations Research Analysts — Columbus
Columbus, OH · 6 metro areas compared
Median pay for this occupation in Columbus, OH comes to $104,970 a year, ahead of the national median of $88,940 by 18.0%.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
Median pay for this occupation in Columbus, OH comes to $104,970 a year, ahead of the national median of $88,940 by 18.0%. Pay ranges from under $52,000 at the tenth percentile to more than $135,500 at the ninetieth, with the interquartile range running from $57,520 to $128,950.
Employment stands at 670, or 0.6 jobs per thousand held locally. Within the state, Dayton records the highest median at $122,570. Of the 611 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 67th.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $52,000 | −41.5% |
| 25th | $57,520 | −35.3% |
| Median (50th) | $104,970 | +18.0% |
| 75th | $128,950 | +45.0% |
| 90th | $135,500 | +52.3% |
| Mean | $98,380 | +10.6% |
Other metro areas in Ohio
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Dayton | $122,570 | 410 | |
| 2 | Cincinnati | $105,360 | 410 | |
| 3 | Akron | $102,670 | 80 | |
| 4 | Cleveland | $101,560 | 330 | |
| 5 | Toledo | $80,360 | 30 | |
| 6 | Springfield | $63,620 | — |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Columbus run 7.2% below the national average, so the median of $104,970 goes as far as $113,114 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 27.2% above the national median in real terms.
Published median
$104,970as reported by BLSLocal price level
92.8US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$113,114US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $104,970 a year, 18.0% above the national median.
- Published pay spans $52,000 to $135,500 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 670 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Dayton, at $122,570.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Operations Research Analysts in Columbus, OH?
The median annual wage is $104,970, or $50.47 per hour, as of May 2025. Half of the workers in this occupation earn more than that and half earn less.
Is that higher than the national average?
The national median for this occupation is $88,940, so pay in Columbus, OH is 18.0% higher. These figures are medians, not averages: half of workers fall on each side.
What do the top earners make?
The top tenth of this occupation in Columbus, OH earns more than $135,500 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $52,000 per year. The survey measures wages actually paid rather than experience level, so this reflects the lowest-paid tenth rather than entry-level pay specifically.
Which area nearby pays the most?
The highest median for this occupation among the metro areas covered is in Dayton, at $122,570 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 670 jobs in this occupation in Columbus, OH. Self-employed workers are not included.
Source and methodology
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 Wages are for wage-and-salary workers; self-employed workers are not included. Salary Explorer is an independent project. It is not affiliated with, or endorsed by, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics or any government agency. Full methodology.
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