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. 59% of employees would recommend working at Institute for Defense Analyses to a friend and 44% 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?

59% 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 2.9 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 28 reviews)); "I've got smart colleagues to work with." ((in 15 reviews)); "Nice people throughout the company." ((in 15 reviews)); "Great work life balance at work" ((in 11 reviews)); "Smart people, wonderful coworkers" ((in 6 reviews))

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

"Pay is low." ((in 10 reviews)); "Poor management" ((in 9 reviews)); "Cons are pay scales are not transparent and upward mobility is mainly driven by educational degree." ((in 5 reviews)); "Not too many cons in my view; fairly flat management structure" ((in 3 reviews)); "Your immediate supervisor will often try to hold you back from taking on roles that help you advance." ((in 2 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

Institute for Defense Analyses reviews

3.6

59% would recommend to a friend

(206 total reviews)

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

100% approve of CEO

44% positive business outlook

Ratings by demographic groups

Race / Ethnicity

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Institute for Defense Analyses has an employee rating of 3.6 out of 5 stars, based on 206 company reviews on Glassdoor which indicates that most employees have a good working experience there. The Institute for Defense Analyses employee rating is in line with the average (within 1 standard deviation) for employers within the Government & Public Administration industry (3.6 stars).

Reviews by job title

206 reviews

1.0

Jul 5, 2016

Old Fashioned and Tired

Research staff member

Recommend

CEO approval

Business Outlook

Pros

Reasonable Security Good benefits (some) Smart people

Cons

Internal competition Poor management Favoritism to a few Narrow staff who thinks that the old way is the best way

1.0

Jan 8, 2026

You don't want to work here.

Researcher

Recommend

CEO approval

Business Outlook

Pros

Unfortunately, there really aren't any.

Cons

You don't want to work here. What was once an exciting workplace has greatly declined in many ways over many years. IDA is in serious financial trouble. We have been told our expense rates are unsustainable...and the thought of paying our mortgage causes our president to lose sleep. IDA is dying a slow death. (3) days in the last few months a vacation day we we would normally be entitled to has been involuntarily taken from us. Our company retirement contribution has been decreased. Over 100 people have involuntarily left employment in the last year...a nontrivial fraction of our total workforce. The cafeteria has closed. Coffee is no longer provided (!) IDA has had to close a prestigious location in DC (STPI) because they could not afford that location. Trash collection has been reduced. Morale is simply horrible and there is no silver lining anywhere in sight. Ask IDA to show you the results of their latest independent Employee Engagement Survey. Look at the answers for such items as "I have confidence in the senior leadership team to make the right decisions for IDA". It is double-digit percentage below the industry benchmark. This is what IDA's employees think. You don't want to work here.

Institute for Defense Analyses Response

5mo

We’re sorry to hear the frustration you’ve experienced as a result of some recent changes at IDA. Many of the changes you have observed have been in response to a number of external factors, implemented to ensure that IDA continues its 70-year history of service to the nation. Like many similar organizations, we did recently undergo a targeted reduction in force in direct response to shifts in government priorities. We have also implemented a number of cost-cutting measures to remain affordable to our sponsors for years to come. The demand for IDA’s unparalleled expertise from our government sponsors remains strong. We continue to fulfill our mission and serve our sponsors as a trusted partner. We would encourage you to review the recent Town Hall where President Norty Schwartz addresses the rationale behind many of the decisions you referenced. A recording of the session can be found on the intranet. We also encourage all staff to bring questions and concerns to their Directors or their HR Business Partners so they can be addressed in a timely and productive manner.

3.0

Jul 7, 2015

Average Company

Anonymous employee

Recommend

CEO approval

Business Outlook

Pros

Great job security... if you want to work for one company and stay with that company long term, this is the place for you. Also great 401k... they give you 11% for your 5% contribution.

Cons

Salaries are pretty low compared to consultant gigs or peer companies. The environment is highly 'political' and that can impact your career growth and what opportunities you may have in the future.

Viewing 4 - 6 of 206 Reviews

Jobs at Institute for Defense Analyses

CCS - Security Officer (1st Shift)

Summer Associate SCAMP 2027-28 CCRP

Security Guard -- (SAN DIEGO, CA)

Senior Executive Assistant to EVP