Is Institute for Defense Analyses a good company to work for?

Institute for Defense Analyses has an overall rating of 3.6 out of 5, based on over 231 reviews left anonymously by employees. This rating has decreased by 10% over the last 12 months. 60% of employees would recommend working at Institute for Defense Analyses to a friend and 43% have a positive outlook for the business. The best reviews about Institute for Defense Analyses have been left by employees working as Summer Associate , Research Associate and Research Staff Member .

Does Institute for Defense Analyses pay their employees well?

According to anonymously submitted Glassdoor reviews, Institute for Defense Analyses employees rate their compensation and benefits as 3.5 out of 5. Find out more about salaries and benefits at Institute for Defense Analyses. This rating has decreased by 9% over the last 12 months.

How satisfied are employees working at Institute for Defense Analyses?

60% of Institute for Defense Analyses employees would recommend working there to a friend based on Glassdoor reviews . Employees also rated Institute for Defense Analyses 3.8 out of 5 for work life balance, 3.2 for culture and values and 3.0 for career opportunities.

What are the top reviewed jobs at Institute for Defense Analyses?

Research Staff Member (44) , Research Associate (21) , Summer Associate (14) , Research Assistant (7) , Research Analyst (4) , Researcher (4) , Senior Research Manager (4) , Computer Systems Administrator (3) , Intern (3) , Science Policy Fellow (3) , Security (3) , Analyst (2) , Data Science Fellow (2) , Data Scientist (2) , Personnel Security Specialist (2)

What are the pros of working at Institute for Defense Analyses according to real employee reviews?

"Great Benefits and PTO" ((in 29 reviews)); "I've got smart colleagues to work with." ((in 16 reviews)); "Great people who love what they do and the people they do it with." ((in 15 reviews)); "good work / life balance" ((in 10 reviews)); "Job security seems excellent." ((in 6 reviews))

What are the cons of working at Institute for Defense Analyses according to real employee reviews?

"Pay is low." ((in 8 reviews)); "Cons are pay scales are not transparent and upward mobility is mainly driven by educational degree." ((in 5 reviews)); "Very little opportunity for career advancement within the company." ((in 3 reviews)); "Weak on sick leave, part of PTO, which is 24 days total." ((in 3 reviews)); "Not too many cons in my view; fairly flat management structure" ((in 3 reviews))

What are employees saying about Institute for Defense Analyses layoffs in 2026?

Explore Glassdoor’s employee reviews to understand what current and former employees are saying about Institute for Defense Analyses layoffs and their outlook for job security at Institute for Defense Analyses in 2026.

What are the top reviewed Institute for Defense Analyses locations?

Alexandria , Washington , Princeton , Arlington , Bowie , New Alexandria

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Institute for Defense Analyses

Institute for Defense Analyses reviews

3.6

60% would recommend to a friend

(57 total reviews)

Adm. Charles A. Richard, USN (Ret.)

100% approve of CEO

43% positive business outlook

Ratings by category

3.8

Work/Life balance

3.5

Diversity & inclusion

3.5

Compensation and benefits

3.2

Culture & values

3.0

Career opportunities

2.9

Senior management

Ratings by demographic groups

Race / Ethnicity

Gender

Sexual orientation

Disability

Parent or family caregiver

Veteran status

Reviews by job title

57 reviews

Reviews about "Compensation"

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3.0

Mar 27, 2019

Low pay for a lot of work.

Anonymous employee

Recommend

CEO approval

Business Outlook

Pros

The benefits are good - though not as good as they used to be (e.g. no more unlimited sickleave) The work life balance can be excellent - the one reason I, and many colleagues, stay.

Cons

Pay increases haven't kept up with cost of living increases. It was impossible for a single income employee to afford a home near IDA in the past and just the threat of the HQ2 has driven up home and rent costs. And, IDA's new building will be even closer to HQ2.... Staff outside of the exec offices should be able to afford a comfortable living and a reasonable commute to work.

1.0

Jan 26, 2019

It could have been a great place.

Anonymous employee

Recommend

CEO approval

Business Outlook

Pros

Company benefits (medical, retirement, insurance) are amazing. Excellent work-life-balance with minimal off-hour requirements. Technology exposure is great and diverse. Training and certification is encouraged. Work and projects are mostly self-directed. Most research staff are very intelligent and a pleasure to work with.

Cons

The company structure is flat, leaving little or no room for growth. The pay is below average compared to industry, no merit-based rewards. Poor management with little or no accountability, resulting is slow process and procurement. Old methodology and approach for systems management. It’s a struggle to implement change and modernize systems. High turnover. The environment is toxic.

4.0

Feb 19, 2018

IDA review

Anonymous employee

Recommend

CEO approval

Business Outlook

Pros

They have good benefits and the work environment is relatively low pressure.

Cons

While there are no issues with the day-to-day work environment, the company has some gender equity issues. Thus, for some, it may be best suited as a first job at which you gain experience then move one. Staying there long-term or starting there mid-career may limit career growth and salary.

Viewing 37 - 39 of 57 Reviews

Jobs at Institute for Defense Analyses

Systems Administrator II - La Jolla, CA

Security Force Lieutenant I

Research Analyst - Operations Research and Military Campaign Analysis

Deputy Director, Talent Management and Workplace Culture

HR Business Partner - Alexandria, VA

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Low pay for a lot of work.

It could have been a great place.

IDA review

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