Data Scientist vs Operations Research Analysts: $120K vs $89K Median Pay

Data Scientist vs Operations Research Analysts: what changes?

Consider Data Scientist if you want to develop and implement a set of techniques or analytics applications to transform raw data into meaningful information using data-oriented programming languages and visualization software. 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. Both list bachelor's degree; compare training and prior experience separately.

Try this next: Compare three local entry-level postings for Data Scientist 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

Data Scientist

National median pay (2025): $120,230
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: Analyze, manipulate, or process large sets of data using statistical software.
Annual openings (2025–2035): 24,800

Know before you choose

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

See the full Data Scientist 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

Data Scientist has the edge on annual openings

Data Scientist is at 24,800 annual openings, compared with 7,500 annual openings for Operations Research Analysts.

Data Scientist has the edge on median pay

Data Scientist is at $120,230, compared with $88,940 for Operations Research Analysts.

Typical preparation differs.

Data Scientist: Bachelor's degree Operations Research Analysts: Bachelor's degree Preparation categories do not establish admission difficulty, calendar time, tuition, time without earnings, or licensing difficulty.

Data Scientist has the edge on projected growth

Data Scientist is at 34.6% projected growth, compared with 11.9% projected growth for Operations Research Analysts.

80.2/ 100

Data Scientist

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