Data analyst salary: how much does a data analyst make?
BLS has no single “data analyst” occupation; analyst jobs are counted where their duties fit. Operations research analysts earn a median of $88,940, statisticians $105,650, and data scientists and business intelligence analysts $120,230 (May 2025). Entry-level data analyst pay is closest to the bottom 25% of these groups, about $68,360 to $85,660.
Data analyst salary by type
| BLS group (May 2025) | Bottom 10% | Median | Top 10% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Operations research analysts | $57,060 | $88,940 | $159,910 |
| Statisticians | $64,000 | $105,650 | $174,050 |
| Data scientists (includes business intelligence analysts) | $67,240 | $120,230 | $199,130 |
| Financial and investment analysts | $63,720 | $102,740 | $180,860 |
Entry-level data analyst salary
BLS doesn't report pay by experience. The lower percentiles are the closest guide to starting pay: the bottom 25% of operations research analysts earn under $68,360 and the bottom 10% under $57,060. Moving into data science or analytics engineering is the usual route to the $120,230 median and above.
Data analyst salary by state
State medians for operations research analysts, BLS May 2025:
| State | Median per year |
|---|---|
| Colorado | $129,880 |
| Virginia | $129,460 |
| Alabama | $115,630 |
| New York | $108,610 |
| Ohio | $103,620 |
| Idaho | $103,600 |
| Oregon | $102,170 |
| California | $102,100 |
| Delaware | $101,070 |
| Hawaii | $100,600 |
| Maine | $99,460 |
| Nebraska | $98,300 |
| Washington | $98,030 |
| Maryland | $97,410 |
| North Carolina | $97,290 |
| Connecticut | $96,700 |
| Massachusetts | $96,500 |
| District of Columbia | $96,030 |
| Minnesota | $95,550 |
| Mississippi | $92,310 |
| Kansas | $92,050 |
| Texas | $90,710 |
| Utah | $90,200 |
| Illinois | $89,800 |
| Vermont | $89,790 |
| Alaska | $88,750 |
| Nevada | $86,500 |
| Indiana | $85,280 |
| Kentucky | $83,850 |
| Michigan | $83,480 |
| North Dakota | $82,460 |
| Iowa | $80,580 |
| Montana | $80,400 |
| New Mexico | $80,360 |
| South Carolina | $80,240 |
| Pennsylvania | $79,640 |
| Rhode Island | $77,910 |
| Florida | $77,600 |
| Tennessee | $76,680 |
| Georgia | $76,220 |
| Arizona | $75,470 |
| Wisconsin | $71,820 |
| West Virginia | $64,100 |
| Louisiana | $63,210 |
| Missouri | $62,380 |
| Oklahoma | $61,520 |
| Arkansas | $59,030 |
Data analyst hourly pay
| BLS group | Median per hour | Top 10% per hour |
|---|---|---|
| Operations research analysts | $42.76 | $76.88 |
| Statisticians | $50.79 | $83.68 |
| Data scientists & BI analysts | $57.80 | $95.74 |
Data Analyst take-home pay by state (2026)
2026 federal brackets and standard deduction, Social Security 6.2% up to $184,500, Medicare 1.45% plus 0.9% above $200,000 ($250,000 joint), and each state's 2026 income tax. Local income taxes, state disability or paid-leave payroll taxes and other deductions are not included. Estimate only, not tax advice.
Common questions
How much does a data analyst make?
About $88,940 to $120,230 a year at the median, depending on which BLS group the job fits (May 2025).
How much does an entry-level data analyst make?
Usually around $68,360 to $85,660, the bottom 25% of the closest BLS groups.
Do data scientists earn more than data analysts?
Generally yes: data scientists' median is $120,230 versus $88,940 for operations research analysts.
Which state pays data analysts the most?
For operations research analysts, Colorado has the highest median at $129,880.
Does BLS have a data analyst category?
No. Data analyst jobs are counted under operations research analysts, statisticians, data scientists or other analyst groups depending on duties.
Sources
- BLS: Operations research analysts (15-2031)
- BLS: Statisticians (15-2041)
- BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook: Data scientists
Related
Last reviewed November 5, 2026. Median means half earn more and half less. BLS figures cover employees only. Figures are gross pay before taxes and benefits. General information, not career or financial advice.