The average data analyst salary in the US is approximately $97,717 in 2026. Like most salary averages, it hides more than it reveals. The real range stretches from $55,000 for entry-level analysts in lower cost-of-living areas to $150,000+ for senior analysts at tech companies in major metros. What you actually earn depends on three variables: experience level, industry, and city.
The good news: BLS projects 23% job growth for data analysts through 2033, much faster than average. The demand is real and sustained. This article breaks down what each variable is actually worth.
By experience level
| Level | Years of exp | National range | Major city range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entry-level | 0–2 | $55k–$75k | $80k–$90k |
| Mid-level | 2–5 | $75k–$105k | $95k–$120k |
| Senior | 5–8 | $105k–$135k | $120k–$150k |
| Lead / Principal | 8+ | $130k–$160k | $145k–$180k+ |
The jump from entry-level to mid-level is the steepest in percentage terms (roughly 40–50% increase). After mid-level, growth flattens — which is partly why many senior data analysts transition to data scientist, analytics engineer, or data engineering roles where the ceiling is higher.
By industry
Industry matters more than most candidates expect. The same data analyst doing the same quality of work earns meaningfully different amounts depending on sector:
| Industry | Midpoint salary | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Tech (Big Tech) | ~$117k | Google, Meta, Amazon pay $130k–$200k+ TC at mid-to-senior |
| Finance / Banking | ~$115k | Strong comp, especially investment banks and hedge funds |
| Consulting | ~$105k | McKinsey, BCG, Deloitte |
| Healthcare | ~$90k | Growing demand but lower comp than tech/finance |
| Retail / E-commerce | ~$88k | Wide range: Amazon (tech rates) vs Walmart (retail rates) |
| Government / Nonprofit | ~$72k | Lowest comp but strongest job security |
The tech-to-government gap is roughly 60%. Same SQL skills, same analytical methodology, very different paychecks.
By city
- San Francisco Bay Area: $95k–$150k+ (highest national comp, but high COL offsets much of the premium).
- New York City: $90k–$140k (finance sector pulls the average up).
- Seattle: $88k–$135k (Amazon and Microsoft are major employers).
- Chicago: $75k–$115k (strong finance and consulting market).
- Austin: $75k–$115k (growing tech hub with lower COL).
- Remote: Typically 80–90% of the local rate at the company’s HQ city.
The entry-level reality
Entry-level data analyst hiring in 2026 is competitive. The Google Data Analytics Certificate has produced hundreds of thousands of graduates, and bootcamps continue to produce “career switcher” data analysts at a high rate. Supply at the entry level has grown faster than demand.
Entry-level data analyst salaries have been roughly flat since 2023. The $55k–$75k range nationally hasn’t moved much. Where entry-level analysts can differentiate: domain expertise (come from the industry you want to analyze for), SQL depth (window functions, CTEs, performance optimization), and Python skills (even basic pandas/matplotlib moves you ahead of the pack).
If you’re entry-level and choosing between a $65k data analyst role at a small company and a $58k role at a company with a strong data team, take the lower-paying role with the better team. Two years of learning from senior analysts compounds into higher comp for the next 20 years of your career.
The data analyst to data scientist pay jump
One of the most common career moves in the data space is data analyst to data scientist, and the comp jump is significant:
| Role | Median salary | Senior range |
|---|---|---|
| Data Analyst | ~$97k | $120k–$150k |
| Data Scientist | ~$130k | $160k–$220k+ |
| Analytics Engineer | ~$135k | $150k–$200k |
| Data Engineer | ~$140k | $160k–$220k+ |
The data scientist transition requires adding statistical modeling, machine learning, and deeper Python skills. The analytics engineer transition requires dbt proficiency and data pipeline work. Both are viable paths for data analysts who want to increase their comp ceiling.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a data analyst make in 2026?
The average is approximately $97,717. Entry-level: $55,000–$75,000. Senior: $120,000–$150,000. Range depends on industry, city, and tech vs non-tech.
What industry pays data analysts the most?
Tech and finance. Tech midpoint ~$117,000, finance ~$115,000. Big Tech pays $130,000–$200,000+ TC at mid-to-senior levels.
Is data analyst a good career for salary growth?
Yes. BLS projects 23% growth through 2033. The salary ceiling as a pure data analyst is $120,000–$150,000, but transitions to data scientist, analytics engineer, or data engineering increase earnings significantly.
How much does an entry-level data analyst make?
$55,000–$75,000 nationally, $80,000–$90,000 in major cities. Competitive market due to high supply from certificate programs.
Do data analysts make more than data scientists?
No. Data scientists earn more at every level. Median data analyst ~$97,000 vs data scientist ~$130,000. Gap widens at senior levels.