How much does a Data Analyst make in 2026?
The national median Data Analyst salary is $86,200 per year. Data analysts collect, clean and interpret data to help businesses make smarter decisions across product, marketing, finance and operations.
Data Analyst salary by city
Median pay across 10 major US metros — sorted by highest to lowest. Click any city for a full breakdown.
| City | Median | |
|---|---|---|
| San Francisco, CA | $122,400 | View → |
| Seattle, WA | $112,100 | View → |
| New York, NY | $110,300 | View → |
| Los Angeles, CA | $99,100 | View → |
| Austin, TX | $96,500 | View → |
| Denver, CO | $94,800 | View → |
| Chicago, IL | $91,400 | View → |
| Houston, TX | $89,600 | View → |
| Miami, FL | $85,300 | View → |
| Phoenix, AZ | $84,500 | View → |
What does a Data Analyst do?
Data analysts collect, clean and interpret data to help businesses make smarter decisions across product, marketing, finance and operations.
- Build SQL queries
- Create dashboards
- Run A/B tests
- Present findings to stakeholders
- Clean and validate data
How to become a Data Analyst
A bachelor's in statistics, computer science, math or economics is most common. Bootcamps and self-taught paths via SQL + Python are viable.
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FAQ — Data Analyst salary
What is the average Data Analyst salary in the United States?+
The national median Data Analyst salary is $86,200 per year, based on the latest BLS OEWS data (May 2024 BLS OEWS).
Which US city pays Data Analysts the most?+
San Francisco, CA currently pays the highest at a median of $122,400/yr — roughly 42% above the national average. Adjust for cost of living before deciding to relocate.
How much does an entry-level Data Analyst make?+
Entry-level Data Analysts typically earn around $79,600 in top-paying metros and 64% of the median nationally.
How fast is the Data Analyst job market growing?+
The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects much faster than average growth of +23% over the next 10 years.
Do I need a degree to be a Data Analyst?+
A bachelor's in statistics, computer science, math or economics is most common. Bootcamps and self-taught paths via SQL + Python are viable.
Are you being paid fairly?
Run a free comparison against 10+ metros and the latest BLS data.
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