Data Analyst Salary in 2026–2027:
The Numbers You Actually Need
Entry-level, senior, by industry, by state — every figure that determines what a data analyst makes today, backed by real data.
Let’s skip the vague ranges and get straight to what matters: the data analyst salary in the United States has never been more competitive, and the field has never been more in-demand. As of early 2026, the average data analyst earns $97,717 per year — a figure that ranges from $55K for fresh graduates to well over $150K for senior analysts at tech companies and financial institutions.
What’s driving this? Data has become the core asset of virtually every industry. Companies are in an ongoing race to hire people who can not only collect and clean data, but extract meaning from it. That demand has created a salary environment that rewards skill, specialization, and the right location significantly more than the national average might suggest.
This guide breaks down every dimension of the data analyst salary — from the industry-by-industry breakdown to the specific skills that add the most to your paycheck.
// 01 Average Data Analyst Salary in the US
Multiple reputable sources converge on a similar picture for 2026–2027. Here’s how the key numbers stack up:
| Pay Percentile | Annual Salary | Hourly Rate | Monthly Pay |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $57,000 | ~$27/hr | ~$4,750 |
| 25th Percentile | $71,715 | ~$34/hr | ~$5,976 |
| 50th Percentile (Median) | $97,717 | ~$47/hr | ~$8,143 |
| 75th Percentile | $121,094 | ~$58/hr | ~$10,091 |
| 90th Percentile | $152,974 | ~$74/hr | ~$12,748 |
// 02 Data Analyst Salary by Experience Level
Experience is the most reliable predictor of pay in data analytics. Each level brings meaningfully higher compensation as your ability to interpret, communicate, and act on data matures:
Key insight: Entry-level data analyst salaries have surged by roughly $20,000 since 2024, with starting pay now averaging around $90,000 in active job postings, according to 365 Data Science’s analysis of 1,000+ listings. The talent shortage is real — and it’s benefiting new entrants.
// 03 Highest-Paying Industries for Data Analysts
Industry choice has an outsized impact on your data analyst salary. Finance, technology, and consulting regularly pay 20–40% more than healthcare or education for the same skill set. Here’s where the money is:
| Industry | Median Total Pay | Why It Pays More |
|---|---|---|
| Personal Consumer Services | $122,350 | High-value behavioral & revenue data |
| Financial Services | $101,839 | Risk, trading, and compliance data complexity |
| Technology / SaaS | $100,000+ | Product analytics, A/B testing, growth |
| Energy, Mining & Utilities | $95,128 | Operational analytics and forecasting |
| Aerospace & Defense | $94,970 | Clearance premiums and specialized data |
| Healthcare & Life Sciences | $80,000–90,000 | Growing, but historically lower-paying |
| Education / Nonprofit | $60,000–75,000 | Mission-driven; budget-constrained |
The finance and tech sectors consistently dominate compensation because data directly influences billions of dollars of decisions — and companies compensate accordingly. If maximizing your data analyst salary is the goal, those two industries should be on your shortlist.
// 04 Highest-Paying States & Cities
Geography is one of the most powerful salary variables. Coastal tech and finance hubs pay significantly more than the national average, though cost of living must be factored in:
| State | Average Annual Salary | vs. National Avg |
|---|---|---|
| Washington, D.C. | $108,193 | +10.7% |
| California | $107,782 | +10.3% |
| Massachusetts | $106,346 | +8.8% |
| Washington State | $105,955 | +8.4% |
| New Jersey | $105,916 | +8.4% |
| New York | $103,883 | +6.3% |
| Texas | $95,313 | -2.5% |
🏙️ Best City for Data Analysts Right Now
New York City has surged to represent 26% of all data analyst job postings nationally, making it the single most active market. For those willing to relocate, NYC offers both volume of opportunity and above-average compensation — a rare combination for any single metro area.
// 05 Skills That Directly Boost Your Data Analyst Salary
Certifications and skills aren’t just resume decoration — they translate directly into measurable salary premiums. The right technical stack can add 10–30% to your base pay:
Most In-Demand Skills (2026 Job Postings)
Premium Skill Multipliers
According to the World Economic Forum’s Future of Jobs Report 2026, AI and big data rank as the top fastest-growing job skills globally — and data analysts who add machine learning or AI tooling to their skill set are commanding the biggest salary premiums in the market right now.
Visualization tools also matter enormously: Tableau appears in 28.1% of job postings and Power BI in 24.7%, while Excel is still referenced in over 41% of postings — don’t neglect the fundamentals.
// 06 Career Ladder: Titles & Salaries
The data analytics career path has a clear progression, and each rung brings a meaningful salary increase. Here’s the full ladder from junior analyst to analytics director:
// 07 What Determines Your Data Analyst Paycheck?
Your base salary is just one input in a complex equation. Here are the six most impactful variables:
// 08 Job Outlook: Why Data Analyst Careers Are Still a Smart Bet
The demand for data analysts shows no sign of slowing. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects employment for related data and analytics roles to grow 23–34% between 2023 and 2034 — far outpacing the average for all occupations. That translates to tens of thousands of new openings every year.
Machine learning mentions in data analyst job postings have doubled to 14% in 2026, signaling that the role is evolving — but not disappearing. Analysts who lean into AI tools, automated reporting, and data governance are positioning themselves at the frontier of where the industry is heading.
Bottom line: The data analyst salary in 2026 reflects both strong present demand and an even stronger future outlook. The intersection of communication skills and data fluency is where the highest-paid analysts live — and that combination cannot be automated away.
// 09Frequently Asked Questions
The Data Is Clear
The data analyst salary in 2026 tells an optimistic story: wages are rising, demand is accelerating, and the skills gap is working in analysts’ favor. Whether you’re just starting out or positioning for a senior role, the combination of the right technical skills, the right industry, and the right geography can push your earnings well above the national average. In a world that runs on data, the people who interpret it have never been more valuable.
Hey there! I’m Kumar, the owner of DollarHire. Alongside working as an Executive SEO Specialist, I studied at a finance institute to strengthen my skills in finance and marketing.
Pingback: AWS Cloud Practitioner Salary In 2026 – CERTIFIED ✅