Operations Research Analysts
Formulate and apply mathematical modeling and other optimizing methods to develop and interpret information that assists management with decisionmaking, policy formulation, or other managerial functions. May collect and analyze data and develop decision support software, services, or products. May develop and supply optimal time, cost, or logistics networks for program evaluation, review, or implementation.
108,510 people do this job in the US. $88,940 a year.
of the working time. Estimate.
- 95%
- 5%
- 0%
Measured, from Anthropic's usage data (2025). Counts help on part of a task.
On the chosen pace and reliability. Estimate.
Share of the working time within reach, now to 2030
What each choice means: , , , , . Every pace starts from .
At this date and pace, models finish tasks up to 4.4 h long four times in five.
How far this has come
With GPT-4, measured in March 2023, 0% of this job's working time was within reach at . With Claude 3.7 Sonnet, measured in February 2025, 0%. With Claude Mythos Preview (early), measured in April 2026, 2%. Today's estimate: 4%.
A backcast: today's task data with the best model METR had measured by each date. It shows how fast the models have moved, not what anyone forecast at the time.
The tasks
Sorted by . 17 tasks from .
| Task | Kind | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Observe the current system in operation, and gather and analyze information about each of the component problems, using a variety of sources.Done more than monthly by most who do it. | 13% | 1.3 work days3.3 h to 3.1 work days | 3%Half by Oct 2027 | |
| Formulate mathematical or simulation models of problems, relating constants and variables, restrictions, alternatives, conflicting objectives, and their numerical parameters.Done more than monthly by most who do it. AI observed on this task. | 13% | 1.7 work days3.3 h to 4.2 work days | 2%Half by Feb 2028 | |
| Design, conduct, and evaluate experimental operational models in cases where models cannot be developed from existing data.Done more than yearly by most who do it. | 12% | 1 work week1.7 work days to 2.8 work weeks | 0%Half by Nov 2028 | |
| Perform validation and testing of models to ensure adequacy, and reformulate models, as necessary.Done more than monthly by most who do it. | 11% | 1.3 work days3.3 h to 3.1 work days | 3%Half by Oct 2027 | |
| Develop and apply time and cost networks to plan, control, and review large projects.Done more than monthly by most who do it. | 11% | 1.7 work days3.3 h to 4.2 work days | 2%Half by Feb 2028 | |
| Study and analyze information about alternative courses of action to determine which plan will offer the best outcomes.Done more than yearly by most who do it. AI observed on this task. | 8% | 1 work day2.5 h to 2.6 work days | 6%Half by Sep 2027 | |
| Break systems into their components, assign numerical values to each component, and examine the mathematical relationships between them.Done more than monthly by most who do it. | 6% | 1 work day2.5 h to 2.6 work days | 6%Half by Sep 2027 | |
| Develop business methods and procedures, including accounting systems, file systems, office systems, logistics systems, and production schedules.Done more than yearly by most who do it. AI observed on this task. | 5% | 3.1 work days6.7 h to 1.7 work weeks | 0%Half by Aug 2028 | |
| Specify manipulative or computational methods to be applied to models.Done more than monthly by most who do it. | 5% | 6.7 h1.7 h to 2.1 work days | 9%Half by Aug 2027 | |
| Prepare management reports defining and evaluating problems and recommending solutions.Done more than monthly by most who do it. AI observed on this task. | 4% | 1 work day3.3 h to 2.1 work days | 5%Half by Jul 2027 | |
| Define data requirements, and gather and validate information, applying judgment and statistical tests.Done more than weekly by most who do it. | 3% | 5 h1.7 h to 1.6 work days | 17%Half by Apr 2027 | |
| Collaborate with others in the organization to ensure successful implementation of chosen problem solutions.Done more than weekly by most who do it. | 2% | 3.3 h1.3 h to 1 work day | Stays with people |
Within reach, per task: the share of the task's time whose instances are short enough for a model to finish at the chosen date, pace and reliability. Half by: the date half of that time comes within reach.
Jobs that share skills with this one
From O*NET's related occupations. Within reach now and by the end of 2028, long-run pace, four in five.
Where this job works
The industry groups that employ the most of it (BLS, May 2025).
Where the most of these jobs are
The metro areas with the most people in it (BLS, May 2025).