Data analysts work in the business and government sectors analyzing huge sets of data. They use critical thinking, technical skills, math, and statistics to clean, process, and understand large data sets. The average data analyst salary is very impressive, as these experts help organizations solve problems and make data-driven decisions. So, how much do data analysts make?
If you think you’re ready to learn data analysis, you should first look into how much data analysts make per hour and how much freelance data analysts make. In this article, we will answer all of your data analytics salary questions.
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Data Analyst Salary: An Overview
Data analysis is an essential part of the business world, and there are a wide variety of industries that need data analysts. Professionals who choose this career path earn highly competitive wages. In this section, we will look at the average data analyst salary depending on various factors.
Average Data Analyst Salary
According to ZipRecruiter, the average data analyst salary is $70,357. The median annual salary of the 10th percentile is $34,500, while the 90th percentile can earn as much as $106,500 per year. The average salary of a data analyst in the US varies depending on their specialty, level of education, level of experience, and location.
How Much Do Data Analysts Make Per Hour?
According to the same report by ZipRecruiter, the median data analyst salary per hour is about $34. The top earners in the 90th percentile earned $51.20 an hour, while the 10th percentile earned $12.26. Hourly wages may differ depending on a number of factors such as skill level, education level, and industry.
Do Data Analysts Make Good Money?
Yes, data analysts do make a lot of money. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the average salary across all occupations in the US is $58,260. The average salary of a data analyst is well above that.
As a data analyst, you may also see your salary increase based on a wide range of factors such as special analytical skills, location, and any advanced degrees you may have. Data analysts in big cities such as San Francisco, New York, and Boston often earn higher salaries than data analysts in smaller towns or entry-level data analysts.
Types of Data Analyst Salaries
- Business data analyst | $71,493. A business intelligence analyst specializes in mining and interpreting company data to find essential insights. Their findings shape future company strategies.
- Financial data analyst | $63,316. This professional analyzes data to create financial models. They also make reports, study industry trends, and make financial recommendations.
- Database analyst | $64,904. As a database analyst, you will ensure that your company’s data storage practices are efficient and effective. You may also gather data and interpret statistical information.
- SQL data analyst | $66,767. This type of data analysis uses SQL to interpret data to provide new insights. Other job duties may include maintaining database integrity and creating reports for stakeholders.
- Quantitative analyst | $86,023. A quantitative analyst uses mathematics, statistics, and data analysis to help companies make financial decisions and solve financial problems.
Data Analyst Salaries by Location
In the paragraphs below, we look into the average data analyst salary in various popular and high-paying states. Your location is a major factor in what salary you earn, along with your level of education and experience.
Data Analyst Salary New York
The average data analyst salary in New York, New York is $70,440, according to PayScale. Once you have a few years of experience under your belt, this number will increase. The average senior data analyst salary in NY is $91,537.
Data Analyst Salary California
The average data analyst salary in California is $81,969, according to Glassdoor. However, this number varies greatly throughout the state. For example, the average data analyst salary in San Francisco is $84,885, while data analysts in Los Angeles earn an average wage of $76,698.
Data Analyst Salary Florida
Glassdoor reports that the data analyst salary in Florida is $68,657. To be more specific, the data analyst salary in Tampa is $75,385. The data analyst salary in Orlando is slightly lower, at $69,192.
Data Analyst Salary Texas
The data analyst salary in Austin, Texas is $73,819, according to Glassdoor. To compare, the average data analyst salary in San Antonio, Texas is slightly higher at $75,535. In general, the average data analyst salary in Texas is comparable to other states.
Data Analyst Salary New Jersey
According to Glassdoor, the data analyst salary in New Jersey is $76,574. This average indicates that New Jersey is one of the higher-paying states for these professionals, as the national average is $70,357.
Other High-Paying States for Data Analysts
- Washington. The data analyst salary in Washington state is $66,387, though this number is higher if you live in a major tech area, like Redmond or Seattle.
- Illinois. The average data analyst wage for the entire state of Illinois is $69,057. However, the data analyst salary in Chicago is higher at $77,330
- Virginia. According to Glassdoor, the data analyst salary in Virginia is around $70,288, comparable to states like New York.
Data Analyst Salaries by Level of Experience
In the field of data analysis, your level of experience affects your annual base salary. The longer you have been working in the field and building your skills, the higher your salary will be. In the table below, we provide salary information for each data analyst experience level, from entry-level to late-career.
Entry-Level Data Analyst Salary
Entry-level data analysts are usually employees who have been hired right out of college or a coding bootcamp. They typically have less than five years of experience and are still learning and mastering the techniques of data science.
Although they are just starting out, entry-level data scientists make impressive salaries. According to Payscale, the average entry-level data analytics salary is $51,946 a year on average in the United States.
Mid-Level Data Analyst Salary
While midpoint salaries in this field depend on several factors, PayScale reports that most mid-level data analysts make around $63,456. Generally, mid-career data analysts have at least a few years of relevant industry experience and can complete the majority of their responsibilities independently and with limited supervision.
Senior Data Analyst Salary
A senior-level data analyst is someone who has at least five years of experience and has an advanced degree in a related field, such as computer science, mathematics, or statistics. Because they have more experience and are considered to be masters in their field, they are in much higher demand and make a far more competitive salary.
Your salary will depend on your experience and where you live in the United States. PayScale reports the average senior data analyst salary as $85,561, but this salary can go upwards of $114,000 a year depending on your qualifications and skills.
Data Analyst Salaries by Skill
The specific data analyst skills you develop throughout your career also affect your average salary. The table below shows the five highest-paying skills according to PayScale. The top-paying skill in data analytics is Structured Query Language (SQL).
| Skill | 10th Percentile Salary | Median Salary | 90th Percentile Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| SQL | $49,000 | $66,767 | $91,000 |
| Statistical analysis | $46,000 | $63,907 | $88,000 |
| Data analysis | $46,000 | $63,528 | $88,000 |
| Database management and reporting | $44,000 | $61,863 | $86,000 |
| Microsoft Excel | $44,000 | $59,744 | $82,000 |
How Much Do Freelance Data Analysts Make?
ZipRecruiter has noted that the median freelance data analyst salary is $75,683. That adds up to an hourly wage of $36. A freelance senior data analyst can earn a maximum annual wage of $161,000.
As a freelance data analyst, you will have the freedom to choose projects, work remotely, and create your own schedule. If you want to become a freelance data analyst, you will be responsible for marketing yourself online, and you will not have access to added benefits such as health insurance.
Data Analyst Job Outlook
BLS states that the number of positions available to operations research analysts, which is how it classifies data analysts, will grow by approximately 23 percent from 2021 to 2031. BLS anticipates 24,200 job openings each year for data analysts. The high demand for these experts also indicates strong data analyst salary growth opportunities.
Data analytics is a vast field, as a wide variety of industries are constantly seeking help with processing and making sense of enormous data sets. The top-paying industries for skilled data analysts are computer and peripheral equipment manufacturing, the federal executive branch, and securities, commodity contracts, and other financial investments.
Is Data Analysis a Good Career?
Yes, data analysis is a good career that offers a highly competitive salary. The estimated job growth is much higher than that of other occupations, making data analytics a promising field. Data analysts will have many job opportunities as more companies attempt to make use of bigger data sets.
Data analysis is a good job for you if you have problem-solving skills, mathematical skills, and strong communication skills. Advancing your technical skills and decision-making abilities will lead to an above-average data analyst salary. There are many excellent programs, online training opportunities, and bootcamps that can assist you with becoming a data analyst.
How Much Do Data Analysts Make? FAQ
What are the three highest-paying data analyst jobs?
The three highest-paying data analyst jobs are data architect, machine learning engineer, and statistician. Data architects are the highest-paid data analysts, with an average annual wage of $123,754, according to PayScale.
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What essential soft skills should a data analyst have?
Important data analyst skills include communication, problem-solving, attention to detail, and organization. Developing these soft skills can help you excel at your job, advance in your career, and interact well with others.
Can a bootcamp assist me in becoming a data analyst?
Yes, bootcamps are a fantastic option for professional development on your journey to becoming a data analyst. The best data analyst bootcamps will provide you with job-ready skills in just a few months.
How do I increase my data analyst salary?
To make more money as a data analyst, you can get an advanced degree, such as a master’s degree or a PhD. Some data analysts get a Master of Science in Data Science or Data Analytics to advance their skills. Another option is to get industry-relevant certificates and certifications.
