National Average

• The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics categorizes this occupation under the operations research analysts category in the May 2010 occupation and wage report. According to the report, the average salary for this occupation is $76,980. The lowest earning 10th percentile of wage earners in this occupation make an average of $39,920. The highest earning 90th percentile of wage earners in this occupation earn an average of $122,750.
  
  

Best Paying Industries

• The architectural and structural metals manufacturing industry has an average salary of $115,880 for this occupation. Other industries that offer a higher-than-average pay for this occupation include the federal government, peripheral and computer equipment manufacturing, and petroleum and coal products manufacturing. Salaries for the top-paying industries identified by the BLS range from $98,980 to $115,880.
  
  

Best Paying States

• With an average salary of $103,610 for this occupation, New York is the top paying state in the BLS report. The other identified top-paying states are Virginia, New Jersey, Maryland and Washington, DC. In these states, the salary for this occupation ranges between $86,850 and $103,610 on average.
  
  

Best Paying Metro Areas

• Working as an operations consultant in vendor management can earn you a different salary in various metropolitan areas. For example, in the Tallahassee metro area the average salary is just $44,670 for this occupation, but it is $75,350 in the Sacramento area. The BLS identifies the New York City metro area as the highest paying with an average salary of $116,590. Other top-paying metro areas include Washington, DC at $101,860, Colorado Springs at $96,200, Bakersfield, California at $106,470 and Las Cruces, New Mexico at $95,290.