Operations Research Analyst
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Business & Office career
Management Analyst
Also called: Management Consultant · Business Analyst · Strategy Consultant · Process Improvement Analyst
What management analysts do, what they earn, how long training takes and how to get started, with official BLS pay data and practical, job-level detail.
What does a management analyst do?
Management analysts conduct organizational studies and evaluations, design systems and procedures, and recommend ways to improve efficiency and effectiveness. The median pay is $101,860 per year (BLS, May 2025), most people train for about Less than 5 years of experience, and employment is projected to grow +10.1% from 2025–35.
Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026
- Median pay$101,860$48.97/hour · May 2025
- Job growth+10.1%2025–35, much faster than average
- Openings per year94,100Average, 2025–35
- Typical entry educationBachelor's degreeBLS classification
- Time to trainLess than 5 years of experienceTypical program length
- U.S. jobs1,077,100Employment, 2025
What management analysts do
Management analysts, often called consultants, help organizations improve. They gather data, interview staff, analyze processes and costs, recommend changes and help put them in place. Some work for consulting firms and travel to clients; others work inside companies or government.
Most have a bachelor’s degree and some work experience; many have an MBA. BLS projects much faster than average growth.
Typical duties
- Gather and analyze data
- Interview staff
- Map processes
- Find inefficiencies
- Recommend solutions
- Present to leaders
- Help implement changes
Work environment and schedule
Analysts work in offices and at client sites; consultants often travel.
Schedule: Full time, often long hours and travel in consulting.
A day in the life
- Fly to a client site.
- Interview department heads.
- Map the current process.
- Analyze cost data.
See a full day in the life of a management analyst →
Management Analyst salary
Half of management analysts earned more than $101,860 and half earned less in May 2025. Pay ranged from about $60,640 for the lowest 10% to $171,640 for the top 10%.
Full management analyst pay scale and hourly rates →
How to become a management analyst
- Earn a bachelor’s
- Build analytical skills
- Join a firm or internal team
- Earn an MBA or certification
- Lead projects
A bachelor’s degree in business, economics or a related field is typical; many have an MBA.
Step-by-step guide to becoming a management analyst →
Skills and tools
Technical skills
- Data analysis
- Process mapping
- Financial analysis
- Project management
- Presentation
People skills
- Problem-solving
- Communication
- Curiosity
- Influence
All management analyst skills and tools →
Pros and cons
Pros
- Much faster-than-average growth
- Varied projects
- Strong pay
- Learn many industries
Cons
- Travel
- Long hours
- Client pressure
- Recommendations may be ignored
Certifications and licenses
- CMC: Certified Management Consultant.
- Lean Six Sigma: Process improvement.
- PMP: Project management.
- MBA: Common graduate degree.
Career path
- Analyst: Entry.
- Consultant: Lead workstreams.
- Manager: Lead projects.
- Partner or Director: Lead clients.
Learn the job before day one
Our Management Analyst training (10 hours, $89.99) covers the role, 15+ key terms, step-by-step procedures such as map how work really flows through a team and structure a problem with an issue tree, safety and how to land your first job.
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Compare: Management Analyst vs. Operations Research Analyst · Management Analyst vs. Project Manager · Management Analyst vs. Financial Analyst · Management Analyst vs. General and Operations Manager
Management Analyst FAQ
Is a management analyst a consultant?
Often, yes.
Is the field growing?
Yes, BLS projects much faster than average growth.
Do analysts travel?
Consultants often do.
How much does a management analyst make?
The median annual wage for management analysts was $101,860 ($48.97 per hour) in May 2025, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The lowest 10% earned less than $60,640 and the highest 10% earned more than $171,640.
How long does it take to become a management analyst?
Most people need about Less than 5 years of experience of training. A bachelor’s degree in business, economics or a related field is typical; many have an MBA.
Do you need a degree to be a management analyst?
Usually, yes. BLS lists a bachelor's degree as the typical entry-level education, although skills, certifications and experience can sometimes substitute.
More management analyst questions →
Sources
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025, SOC 13-1111 (Management analysts).
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS Employment Projections, Table 1.2 (2025–35).
- O*NET OnLine summary for Management analysts (U.S. Department of Labor).
- BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook.
Reviewed by the Career Education Institute Curriculum Team. Pay figures are national estimates; local pay varies. See our editorial policy.