SOC 15-2031 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Operations Research Analysts — Maryland
Maryland · 4 metro areas compared
Median pay for this occupation in Maryland comes to $97,410 a year, ahead of the national median of $88,940 by 9.5%.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
Median pay for this occupation in Maryland comes to $97,410 a year, ahead of the national median of $88,940 by 9.5%. Pay ranges from under $55,880 at the tenth percentile to more than $180,750 at the ninetieth, with the interquartile range running from $71,290 to $135,300.
The area has 4,710 jobs in this occupation, giving a location quotient of 2.44 — a measure of how concentrated the occupation is here relative to the country as a whole. Maryland ranks number 14th out of 47 states by median pay for this occupation. Within the state, Lexington Park records the highest median at $135,300. Of the 728 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 183rd.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $55,880 | −37.2% |
| 25th | $71,290 | −19.8% |
| Median (50th) | $97,410 | +9.5% |
| 75th | $135,300 | +52.1% |
| 90th | $180,750 | +103.2% |
| Mean | $106,620 | +19.9% |
Highest-paying metro areas in Maryland
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lexington Park | $135,300 | 390 | |
| 2 | Baltimore | $94,440 | 2,350 | |
| 3 | Salisbury | $67,160 | 50 | |
| 4 | Hagerstown | $63,520 | 50 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Maryland run 5.0% above the national average, so the median of $97,410 buys what $92,771 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way the gap against the national median narrows to 4.3% above the national median in real terms.
Published median
$97,410as reported by BLSLocal price level
105.0US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$92,771US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $97,410 a year, 9.5% above the national median.
- Published pay spans $55,880 to $180,750 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 4,710 jobs in this occupation.
- It ranks 14th of 47 states for this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Lexington Park, at $135,300.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Operations Research Analysts in Maryland?
The median annual wage is $97,410, or $46.83 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 Maryland is 9.5% 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 Maryland earns more than $180,750 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $55,880 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 Lexington Park, at $135,300 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 4,710 jobs in this occupation in Maryland. 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.
Explore related data