Operations Research Analysts
Machines can already do 58% of this job's tasks. By 2035 that rises to 82%. Most of the work is changing now.
Share of the work machines can do
Worldwide baseline, 2026 to 2050
Operations Research Analysts in 2026: the short answer
- Today: machines can do 58% of this job's tasks, and AI use is already seen in 43% of them.
- Forecast: machines can already do half of its tasks, and 82% by 2035, according to the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit.
- Size: 108,510 people do this job in the United States, on a median pay of $88,940 a year.
- Contact with people: it scores 54% for contact with people.
- Also called: Advanced Analytics Associate, Analytical Strategist, Decision Analyst, Operations Research Analyst (Ops Research Analyst).
Updated by the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit. These are worldwide baseline figures; the Workforce Starburst shows them for your country. Go deeper: How ready am I? or an executive briefing.
How the work changes, task by task
The tasks that take up most of the day, with the share of each that machines can do in 2026 (dark) and 2035 (pink). Worldwide baseline.
| Task | Share of the day | Machines can do | 2026 to 2035 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Define data requirements, and gather and validate information, applying judgment and statistical tests | 15% | 52% to 80% | |
| Formulate mathematical or simulation models of problems, relating constants and variables, restrictions, alternatives, conflicting objectives, and their numerical parameters | 12% | 81% to 97% | |
| Perform validation and testing of models to ensure adequacy, and reformulate models, as necessary | 10% | 35% to 65% | |
| Prepare management reports defining and evaluating problems and recommending solutions | 9% | 73% to 95% | |
| Collaborate with others in the organization to ensure successful implementation of chosen problem solutions | 7% | 25% to 55% | |
| Observe the current system in operation, and gather and analyze information about each of the component problems, using a variety of sources | 7% | 60% to 88% | |
| Study and analyze information about alternative courses of action to determine which plan will offer the best outcomes | 7% | 73% to 93% | |
| Present the results of mathematical modeling and data analysis to management or other end users | 6% | 70% to 95% |
The skills this job runs on
The skills operations research analysts use most, most used first.
Safer jobs nearby
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Questions
When will machines do half of the tasks of Operations Research Analysts?
Machines can already do half of its tasks. That is the worldwide baseline from the 311 Workforce Starburst, before adjusting for country.
Will AI take the job of operations research analysts?
Machines can do 58% of the tasks of operations research analysts today and 82% by 2035. Most of the routine work moves to machines, and the people in the job move to oversight, judgement and client work.
Sources and citing
Tasks and their share of the day: O*NET 31.0, occupation 15-2031.00 (US Department of Labor, CC BY 4.0). Pay and jobs: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. AI use today: Anthropic Economic Index (CC BY). Scoring and forecast: the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit; after 2035 the figures extend each trend, with lower confidence. Foresight, not advice.
Cite as: 311 Institute (2026). Operations Research Analysts: the outlook to 2050. 311 Workforce Starburst. https://www.311institute.com/jobs/operations-research-analysts/