Skill report · Academic Foundations
Operations Research: demand in job postings
Operations Research is named in 2% of the 28,652 tech job postings Mettlespark read in the United States and Canada over the last 180 days (671 postings), most often for Data Scientist at 18%, Applied Scientist at 11% and Full-Stack Engineer at 6%. When a posting names it, 82% list it as required.
From 28,652 postings in the United States and Canada, April 23, 2026 to October 20, 2026. Updated October 20, 2026. How we count
- Postings naming it
- 6712% of all postings
- Required when named
- 82%rather than nice to have
- Senior level or above
- 64%of the postings naming it
- Time to learn
- about 50 hoursfrom zero to job-ready, Mettlespark's estimate
Over time
Its share of postings has risen about 2 points since October 2023, comparing like with like, and the rise has sped up lately.
The roles that ask for it most
The share of each role's postings that name Operations Research.
| Role | Share of the role's postings |
|---|---|
| Data Scientist | |
| Applied Scientist | |
| Full-Stack Engineer | |
| Data Analyst | |
| Machine Learning Engineer | |
| Forward Deployed Engineer | |
| Research Scientist (ML) |
Often asked for alongside
The share of postings naming Operations Research that also name each.
- Statistics88%
- Python79%
- Machine Learning70%
- SQL49%
- AWS40%
- R28%
Industries
Where the postings naming it come from.
- Banking & Financial Services24%
- Manufacturing & Industrial6%
- Transportation & Logistics5%
- Consulting & Professional Services4%
Learn first
What Mettlespark's learning plans put before Operations Research:
Quick answers
Is Operations Research in demand?
Operations Research is named in 2% of tech job postings in the United States and Canada over the last 180 days, 671 postings, and required in 82% of those. Its share of postings has risen about 2 points since October 2023, comparing like with like, and the rise has sped up lately.
Which jobs ask for Operations Research?
Data Scientist, Applied Scientist, Full-Stack Engineer and Data Analyst postings name it most often: 18% of Data Scientist postings, 11% of Applied Scientist postings, 6% of Full-Stack Engineer postings.
What skills go with Operations Research?
Postings that name Operations Research most often also name Statistics, Python, Machine Learning and SQL.
What should I learn before Operations Research?
Mettlespark's learning plans put Linear Algebra first.
How long does it take to learn Operations Research?
About 50 hours from zero to job-ready, by Mettlespark's estimate; less with the prerequisites already in hand.