Computer and Information Research Scientists vs Operations Research Analysts: $140K vs $89K Median Pay

Computer and Information Research Scientists vs Operations Research Analysts: what changes?

Consider Computer and Information Research Scientists if you want to conduct research into fundamental computer and information science as theorists, designers, or inventors. Consider Operations Research Analysts if you would rather 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. Entry credentials differ: Computer and Information Research Scientists, master's degree; Operations Research Analysts, bachelor's degree.

Try this next: Compare three local entry-level postings for Computer and Information Research Scientists and Operations Research Analysts. List the duties, credentials, prior experience, and paid training each employer actually asks for. Try a supervised class or sample project from each field before choosing a program.

BLS 2025 wages and 2025–2035 projections. National medians are not starting offers. Occupation size is not a count of vacancies. View the BLS data.

Compare the practical differences

Computer and Information Research Scientists

National median pay (2025): $140,300
Route into the job: Master's degree
Prior related experience: No prior related occupation is typically required; employer requirements vary.
Training and licensing: BLS does not list a separate on-the-job training requirement. Employers may still provide orientation and role-specific training.
Work to investigate: Analyze problems to develop solutions involving computer hardware and software.
Annual openings (2025–2035): 2,900

Know before you choose

Review the full career brief for day-to-day working conditions.

See the full Computer and Information Research Scientists brief

Operations Research Analysts

National median pay (2025): $88,940
Route into the job: Bachelor's degree
Prior related experience: No prior related occupation is typically required; employer requirements vary.
Training and licensing: BLS does not list a separate on-the-job training requirement. Employers may still provide orientation and role-specific training.
Work to investigate: Present the results of mathematical modeling and data analysis to management or other end users.
Annual openings (2025–2035): 7,500

Know before you choose

Review the full career brief for day-to-day working conditions.

See the full Operations Research Analysts brief

How the national numbers differ

Operations Research Analysts has the edge on annual openings

Operations Research Analysts is at 7,500 annual openings, compared with 2,900 annual openings for Computer and Information Research Scientists.

Computer and Information Research Scientists has the edge on median pay

Computer and Information Research Scientists is at $140,300, compared with $88,940 for Operations Research Analysts.

Computer and Information Research Scientists has the edge on projected growth

Computer and Information Research Scientists is at 21.8% projected growth, compared with 11.9% projected growth for Operations Research Analysts.

66.4/ 100

Computer and Information Research Scientists

65.8/ 100

Operations Research Analysts

Each available metric is ranked from 0 to 100 against the careers on ChooseField. The weighted average uses this profile: pay 30%, growth 25%, openings 30%, preparation level 15%. Missing values are not scored as zero; their weights are redistributed across available metrics. Occupation size has zero weight: employment is not accessible vacancies. Preparation categories do not measure admission difficulty or years without earnings. The score summarizes national measures; local opportunities and personal fit still need separate consideration.

Detailed evidence

Computer and Information Research Scientists vs Operations Research Analysts

Dimension	Computer and Information Research Scientists	Operations Research Analysts
Median pay (2025)	$140,300	$88,940
Pay percentile	94 percentile	76.9 percentile
Projected growth (2025–2035)	21.8%	11.9%
Annual openings (2025–2035)	2,900	7,500
2025 employment	38,600	113,100
How you qualify	Master's degree	Bachelor's degree
O*NET preparation group	Job Zone 5	Job Zone 5
Related work experience	No prior related occupation is typically required; employer requirements vary.	No prior related occupation is typically required; employer requirements vary.
On-the-job training	BLS does not list a separate on-the-job training requirement. Employers may still provide orientation and role-specific training.	BLS does not list a separate on-the-job training requirement. Employers may still provide orientation and role-specific training.

The table reports national benchmarks and reviewed work descriptions. It does not rate personal suitability, job security, or physical safety.

Read Computer and Information Research Scientists brief Read Operations Research Analysts brief

Computer and Information Research Scientists vs Operations Research Analysts: what changes?

The facts most likely to affect your decision

Computer and Information Research Scientists

Operations Research Analysts

How the national numbers differ

Operations Research Analysts has the edge on annual openings

Computer and Information Research Scientists has the edge on median pay

Computer and Information Research Scientists has the edge on projected growth

Computer and Information Research Scientists vs Operations Research Analysts

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