SOC 15-2031

Operations Research Analyst Salary in Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO

Data updated · Sources: BLS OEWS May 2025, HUD FY 2027 Fair Market Rents, EPI 2026 Family Budget, 2026 tax tables · Methodology

Tax Tables: 2026 Fed + CO
COL Index: 137.11 (+37.1% vs US)
Net Compensation Yield 68.9% Realized
$88,116 / net annual direct deposit
Gross Adjusted $127,810 $61.45/hr
Effective Tax Drag 25.06% Combined Jurisdictions
Marginal Top Bracket 22% Federal Statutory
Total Withheld -$32,025 $1,231.75/check
Category 1 of 6

Wage Benchmarking & After-Tax Paycheck Engine

Dynamic statutory tax calculations based on IRS Publication 15-T and state statutory schedules.

$
2,080 annual statutory base hours $61.45 / hour
0 hrs/wk (+$0/yr)
0 hrs (Standard) 10 hrs OT 20 hrs OT 25 hrs Max
6% (-$7,669/yr)
0% Tax Shield: ~$1,687/yr 15% (IRS limit: $24,500)
Itemized Statutory Withholdings Ledger
Federal Income Tax (IRS)
Progressive 10%–37%
-$17,601
Social Security (FICA OASDI)
Statutory 6.20% (Cap $184,500)
-$7,924
Medicare Hospital Insurance
Statutory 1.45%
-$1,853
Colorado Individual Income Tax
State Marginal Bracket
-$4,578
Denver Occupational Privilege Tax
LOCAL
-$69
Net Take-Home Annual Realized
$88,116 ($3,389.08 / check)
Category 2 of 6

Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO Operations Research Analyst Wage Distribution

Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) Percentiles & Career Ladders

Your Salary: $127,810
MIDDLE 50% (IQR RANGE) 10th $83.5k 25th $102k Median: $127,810 50th (Median) $128k 75th $157k 90th $183k You: $127,810
10th (Entry) $83,450 $40.12/hr
25th (Junior) $101,670 $48.88/hr
50th (Median) $127,810 $61.45/hr
75th (Senior) $157,150 $75.55/hr
90th (Lead/Master) $182,530 $87.75/hr
Career Progression & Licensing Milestones for Operations Research Analyst in Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO
1
Junior Operations AnalystMathematical optimization, linear programming, Python/R, SQL data mining
$83,348$40.07/hr · 0-2 Years
2
Operations Research AnalystStochastic modeling, supply chain simulation, network optimization
$127,896$61.49/hr · 2-5 Years
3
Senior Decision ScientistEnterprise predictive analytics, algorithmic decision systems, heuristics
$178,192$85.67/hr · 5-8 Years
4
Director of Operations AnalyticsExecutive analytical strategy, operational resource allocation
$227,052$109.16/hr · 8+ Years
Scaled to the Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO medianView National Operations Research Analyst Salary Data
Category 3 of 6

HUD Fair Market Rent & EPI Living Wage Affordability Index

Evaluating housing affordability vs. net take-home pay in Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO under the HUD 30% housing cost guideline.

Rent-to-Take-Home Ratio (HUD 30% Standard)
25% of Net Income
✓ Passes 30% Housing Affordability Standard
HUD Fair Market Rent (1-Bedroom) $1,831/month Requires minimum annual gross of $73,240
HUD Fair Market Rent (2-Bedroom) $2,169/month Requires minimum annual gross of $86,760
Hourly Living Wage Benchmark (EPI model)
1 Adult Earner: $30.32/hr
Per adult, 2 working adults + 1 child: $28.13/hr
Category 4 of 6

Hourly Wage to Annual & Overtime Matrix

Translating base hourly pay and 1.5× overtime into net take-home pay based on 2,080 annual work hours in Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO.

Swipe horizontally to inspect full pay schedule
Schedule Total Hours/Wk Gross Annual Est. Taxes Net Take-Home Bi-Weekly Check
Standard (40 hrs)40 hrs$127,810-$32,025$88,116$3,389.08
+5h Overtime/Wk45 hrs$151,774-$40,223$102,445$3,940.19
+10h Overtime/Wk50 hrs$175,739-$48,454$116,741$4,490.02
+15h Overtime/Wk55 hrs$199,703-$55,742$131,979$5,076.11
+20h Overtime/Wk60 hrs$223,668-$62,700$147,547$5,674.90
Category 5 of 6

Interstate MSA Relocation & State Tax Migration Comparator

Calculate required compensation, cost-of-living differences, and annual state/local tax savings between two metropolitan areas.

Equivalent Salary in Austin, TX $83,505 Cost of Living Ratio: 69.6%
Annual State & Local Tax Delta +$8,331/yr Tax savings in Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos, TX
Annual Rent Difference (1BR) -$17,676/yr Based on HUD Fair Market Rents
Net Discretionary Cash Flow Impact

Combining state tax savings and annual rent variance when relocating from San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA to Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos, TX.

+$26,007/year
Category 6 of 6 · Executive Economic Briefing
2026 Fiscal Intelligence

Operations Research Analyst in Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO: Compensation & Purchasing Power Briefing (2026)

Estimates compiled from BLS OEWS wages, IRS 2026 withholding rules, HUD Fair Market Rents, and Colorado tax codes.

Market Baseline
$127,810/yr
$61.45/hr · SOC 15-2031
Statutory Tax Drag
25.06% Effective
-$32,025 in Total Taxes
HUD 1BR Shelter Ratio
25% Net Pay
✓ Passes 30% HUD Rule
Monthly Discretionary
+$5,512/mo
Post-$1,831/mo 1BR Rent

Key Economic & Compensation Takeaways

Statutory Withholding Architecture

Frequently Asked Questions

Verified Government Data Sources & Statutory Attribution

Wages sourced from US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS OEWS). Rents calibrated to HUD Fair Market Rents. Tax schedules calibrated to IRS IRC Title 26, IRS Pub 15-T, and state statutory revenue codes.

BLS OEWS May 2025 HUD FY2027 FMR IRS 15-T
Metro Pay Comparison SOC 15-2031
2026 Statutory Thresholds
  • Federal Standard Deduction (Single) $16,100
  • FICA OASDI Wage Base Cap $184,500
  • Pre-Tax 401(k) Elective Deferral $24,500
  • HSA Individual Annual Limit $4,400

Operations Research Analyst in Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO: Market Snapshot

Operations Research Analyst roles in Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO report a median annual wage of $127,810, 43.7% above the national median of $88,940. The 10th to 90th percentile band runs from $83,450 to $182,530, and HUD’s $1,831 monthly one-bedroom fair market rent equals 17.2% of that median gross pay. The single-adult living wage benchmark for the area is $30.32 per hour.

Highest-paying metropolitan areas for Operations Research Analyst

Metropolitan areaMedian annual wageVs this market
Colorado Springs, CO$140,590+10.0%
Lexington Park, MD$135,300+5.9%
Huntsville, AL$132,000+3.3%
Peoria, IL$129,300+1.2%
Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV$127,600-0.2%
San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA$123,360-3.5%
Dayton-Kettering-Beavercreek, OH$122,570-4.1%
Bakersfield-Delano, CA$119,020-6.9%
Panama City-Panama City Beach, FL$118,810-7.0%
York-Hanover, PA$117,740-7.9%

Top-paying occupations benchmarked in Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO

OccupationMedian annual wageMedian hourly
Computer and Information Systems Managers$203,340$97.76/hr
Financial Manager$193,400$92.98/hr
Architectural and Engineering Managers$191,440$92.04/hr
Marketing Managers$182,470$87.73/hr
Sales Managers$181,580$87.30/hr
Purchasing Managers$180,000$86.54/hr
Public Relations Managers$174,260$83.78/hr
Human Resources Managers$170,940$82.18/hr
Compensation and Benefits Managers$168,850$81.18/hr
Advertising and Promotions Managers$165,000$79.33/hr

Wage data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS May 2025, 184 metropolitan areas publishing this occupation; HUD FY2027 Fair Market Rents; EPI Family Budget Calculator. Taxes use 2026 federal and state rules. Data last updated .

Regional Labor Market & Career Mobility Network

Explore adjacent occupations and neighboring metropolitan wage benchmarks for peer compensation analysis.

Operations Research Analyst Salary in Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO Overview

Operations Research Analyst median pay in Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO is $127,810 a year ($61.45/hr). See take-home pay after 2026 taxes, BLS wage. Official 2026 economic data for Operations Research Analyst in Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO compiled from Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS surveys, HUD Fair Market Rents, and statutory tax codes.

Quick answers
What is the median salary for an Operations Research Analyst in Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO?

The median annual wage is $127,810 ($61.45 per hour). The middle 80% of earners make between $83,450 and $182,530. Source: BLS OEWS (May 2025).

What is the take-home pay for an Operations Research Analyst in Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO after taxes?

On the median wage of $127,810, a single filer with no pre-tax deductions takes home about $93,640 a year ($7,803 a month) after $34,170 in federal, FICA, state and local taxes, an effective rate of 26.74%, using 2026 tax rules.