SOC 15-2031 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Operations Research Analysts — Phoenix
Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ · 2 metro areas compared
In Phoenix, AZ the median wage is $79,190.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
In Phoenix, AZ the median wage is $79,190. That is 11.0% lower than the national median of $88,940. The middle half of workers in this occupation earn between $63,180 and $99,300. The lowest tenth earn under $52,620, while the highest tenth earn more than $129,650.
Employment stands at 1,880, or 0.8 jobs per thousand held locally. Tucson leads the state's metro areas for this occupation, at $95,620. Set against every other occupation measured in the same area, it ranks 176th of 647 by median pay.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $52,620 | −40.8% |
| 25th | $63,180 | −29.0% |
| Median (50th) | $79,190 | −11.0% |
| 75th | $99,300 | +11.6% |
| 90th | $129,650 | +45.8% |
| Mean | $85,280 | −4.1% |
Other metro areas in Arizona
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tucson | $95,620 | 110 | |
| 2 | Prescott Valley | $68,270 | — |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Phoenix sit close to the national average, so $79,190 is worth roughly its face value against pay elsewhere.
Published median
$79,190as reported by BLSLocal price level
100.7US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$78,640US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $79,190 a year, 11.0% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $52,620 to $129,650 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 1,880 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Tucson, at $95,620.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Operations Research Analysts in Phoenix, AZ?
The median annual wage is $79,190, or $38.07 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 Phoenix, AZ is 11.0% 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 Phoenix, AZ earns more than $129,650 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $52,620 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 Tucson, at $95,620 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 1,880 jobs in this occupation in Phoenix, AZ. 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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