Also called: Optimization Analyst, Decision Analyst
Uses math and computer models to help organizations solve complex problems like routing trucks or scheduling airline crews.
You build a model that decides how an airline should reroute 300 planes after a snowstorm. One good optimization can save millions of dollars.
BLS median about $91,290 (May 2024); estimate for 2025.
Approximate: anchored on Bureau of Labor Statistics data for a broader job group.
Bachelor's degree (4-year), about 4 years after high school. Bachelor's in math, engineering, or OR; many have a master's.
Ways in: 4-year college, Graduate school. Training cost: $15k – $60k.
Majors to look at: Operations Research, Industrial Engineering, Mathematics.
Growing much faster than average (about 21% over 10 years). BLS projects much faster than average growth (2024-34 figure).
Medium risk for 10 years. AI writes optimization models faster; understanding the real operation and convincing leaders stay human.
Classes: AP Calculus, AP Statistics, AP Computer Science A.
Official data: O*NET occupation 15-2031.
Career Universe is an early version. Pay, training and AI-risk figures are estimates to start your own research, not verified facts. The research was written with AI research assistants, checked by validation scripts and spot-checked by hand. Check anything important with schools, employers and official sources. How the numbers work.