Operations Research Analysts build complex problem solving, judgment and decision making and systems evaluation skills that carry over to other work. Below are 25 careers ranked by how closely their skills match, with pay from BLS May 2025. The closest match is Database Architects (90%).
Updated October 2026 · Data: O*NET 31.0 and BLS OEWS May 2025 · How we match careers
Sorted by skill match.
| # | Career | Skill match | Median pay | Pay change | Extra education |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Database Architects | 90% | $139,500 | +57% | None |
| 2 | Computer and Information Research Scientists | 86% | $140,300 | +58% | None |
| 3 | Financial Quantitative Analysts | 85% | $81,100Pay for the broader BLS group “Financial Specialists, All Other” | Not compared | None |
| 4 | Management Analysts | 82% | $101,860 | +15% | None |
| 5 | Data Warehousing Specialists | 82% | $139,500Pay for the broader BLS group “Database Architects” | Not compared | None |
| 6 | Logistics Engineers | 82% | $82,320Pay for the broader BLS group “Logisticians” | Not compared | None |
| 7 | Software Developers | 82% | $135,980 | +53% | None |
| 8 | Computer Systems Analysts | 80% | $105,850 | +19% | None |
| 9 | Database Administrators | 79% | $104,620 | +18% | None |
| 10 | Economists | 78% | $124,720 | +40% | None |
Compared with Operations Research Analysts, median $88,940. Skill match is our estimate (0–99) from O*NET 31.0 skills, knowledge, work activities and interests, adjusted for preparation and big pay drops. Pay: BLS OEWS May 2025, national median.
How important each skill is in work as operations research analysts (O*NET importance, scale 1–5).
The gaps that show up most often across your top 10 matches.
Free and low-cost training: use the CareerOneStop training finder below.
A concrete first step, the skills to add, and the hard parts of each job, from O*NET 31.0 education, training and work context data.
90% skill match · $139,500 · +57% pay
Technology Design · Programming · Troubleshooting
86% skill match · $140,300 · +58% pay
Technology Design · Troubleshooting · Programming
85% skill match · $81,100 (broader BLS group)
Management of Financial Resources · Negotiation
If you want to stay close to what you do now, these roles are the nearest.
The closest matches are Database Architects (90% skill match, median $139,500), Computer and Information Research Scientists (86% skill match, median $140,300) and Financial Quantitative Analysts (85% skill match, median $81,100), based on O*NET 31.0 data and BLS May 2025 pay.
Among the 25 matches, 13 pay more than operations research analysts at the median. The biggest increases: Computer and Information Systems Managers (+97%, $175,140), Physicists (+94%, $172,250) and Computer and Information Research Scientists (+58%, $140,300).
25 of the 25 matches usually need no more education than you have now, based on O*NET Job Zones.
We compare the importance of skills, knowledge, work activities and interests in O*NET 31.0 for your job and every other career, then adjust for extra preparation and big pay drops. The full method is on our Methodology page.