SOC 15-2031 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Operations Research Analysts — Detroit
Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI · 3 metro areas compared
Median pay for this occupation in Detroit, MI is $81,590 a year, trailing the national median of $88,940 by 8.3%.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
Median pay for this occupation in Detroit, MI is $81,590 a year, trailing the national median of $88,940 by 8.3%. The middle half of workers in this occupation earn between $75,440 and $115,210. The lowest tenth earn under $65,180, while the highest tenth earn more than $150,530.
The area has 530 jobs in this occupation, giving a location quotient of 0.40 — a measure of how concentrated the occupation is here relative to the country as a whole. Within the state, Grand Rapids records the highest median at $95,810. Of the 671 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 179th.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $65,180 | −26.7% |
| 25th | $75,440 | −15.2% |
| Median (50th) | $81,590 | −8.3% |
| 75th | $115,210 | +29.5% |
| 90th | $150,530 | +69.2% |
| Mean | $97,590 | +9.7% |
Other metro areas in Michigan
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Grand Rapids | $95,810 | 100 | |
| 2 | Ann Arbor | $84,290 | 130 | |
| 3 | Lansing | $82,290 | 40 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Detroit run 3.8% below the national average, so the median of $81,590 goes as far as $84,813 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 4.6% below the national median in real terms.
Published median
$81,590as reported by BLSLocal price level
96.2US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$84,813US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $81,590 a year, 8.3% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $65,180 to $150,530 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 530 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Grand Rapids, at $95,810.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Operations Research Analysts in Detroit, MI?
The median annual wage is $81,590, or $39.22 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 Detroit, MI is 8.3% lower. 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 Detroit, MI earns more than $150,530 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $65,180 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 Grand Rapids, at $95,810 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 530 jobs in this occupation in Detroit, MI. 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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