Data analytics is one of the fastest growing fields in the country and salaries reflect that demand. Whether you are starting out, changing careers or looking to advance, knowing what data analysts earn and what affects those earnings can help you plan your next move.
This guide breaks down data analyst salaries by experience level, industry and location. If you’re building toward this career, a program like the online Bachelor of Science in Business Administration (BSBA) with a Specialization in Data Analytics program from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville (SIUE) can help you develop the in-demand combination of technical skills and business management competencies employers seek.
What Is the Average Data Analyst Salary?
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports that the median annual wage for data scientists, the occupational category that includes data analysts and related analytical roles, was $112,590 in May 2024, more than double the median annual wage for all occupations. Employment in this field is projected to grow 34 percent from 2024 to 2034, adding about 82,500 new jobs over the decade.
Salaries for data analysts vary by job title, years of experience, industry and location. Entry-level salaries typically range between $50,000 and $70,000 per year. Experienced analysts and those who move into leadership roles can earn well over $110,000 annually.
Data Analyst Salary by Experience Level
Experience is the single biggest driver of compensation growth in data analytics. According to PayScale, entry-level analysts — those with a bachelor’s degree and less than one year of experience — average around $63,574 per year, versus experienced analysts who earn roughly $79,013 per year. However, candidates who graduate with proficiency in SQL, Python and a visualization tool like PowerBI often start at the higher end of the entry-level salary range.
Geographic location matters too. Entry-level roles in San Francisco, New York and Chicago tend to pay more than roles in smaller metro areas, though remote work has narrowed that gap. Analysts who move into people-management or executive-level roles are typically retitled: PayScale reports average annual salaries of $110,287 for Analytics Managers and $144,486 for Directors of Analytics.
| Experience Level | Typical Role | Avg. Compensation | Base Salary Range |
| Entry-level (less than 1 year) | Data Analyst | $63,574 | — |
| Early Career (1–4 years) | Data Analyst | $69,828 | — |
| Mid-Career | Data Analyst | $79,013 | $57,000–$104,000 |
| Experienced | Data Analyst | $80,574 | $56,000–$117,000 |
| Management track | Analytics Manager | $110,287 | $79,000–$140,000 |
| Executive track | Director of Analytics | $144,468 | $98,000–$195,000 |
Salary growth in analytics is driven less by time alone and more by demonstrated skill development. An analyst who adds Python proficiency, earns a third-party certification such as CompTIA Data+, or builds expertise in a high-demand industry can reach mid-career compensation in two to three years.
Data Analyst Salary by Industry
Industry affects data analyst compensation as much as experience level. According to the BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook (OOH), data scientists, the category that includes many data analyst roles, earn the highest median wages in the following industries.
| Industry | Median Annual Wage | Share of Data Scientist Employment |
| Computer systems design and related services | $128,020 | 11% |
| Management of companies and enterprises | $126,940 | 10% |
| Scientific research and development services | $120,090 | 5% |
| Management, scientific and technical consulting services | $110,240 | 6% |
| Insurance carriers and related activities | $108,920 | 10% |
BLS Work Environment data also shows which industries employ the largest share of the occupation. Insurance carriers and related activities are among the largest employers of data scientists, reflecting the industry’s growing reliance on data-driven underwriting, claims analysis and risk modeling.
Data Analyst Salary by Location
Where you work affects what you earn. Major technology and financial centers pay a premium for analytical talent. Average data analyst base salaries (2026) by metro area include:
- San Francisco Bay Area: $87,390 average (range $64,000–$118,000)
- New York City: $77,038 average (range $58,000–$101,000)
- Washington, DC: $79,677 average (range $59,000–$107,000)
- Boston: $76,265 average (range $58,000–$94,000)
- Chicago: $71,831 average (range $53,000–$89,000)
Closer to SIUE’s home region, PayScale reports an average annual data analyst salary of $67,268 in the St. Louis, Missouri metro area (range $51,000–$83,000, based on a smaller local sample size than the metros above). Major regional employers include healthcare systems, insurance companies, regional banks and logistics firms. In some cases, however, location may not matter since remote work has increased access to higher-paying roles for analysts based in lower-cost regions.
Skills That Increase Data Analyst Salary
The skills you bring to the table — especially fluency in technical tools — directly impact your earning potential. SQL is the baseline. Analysts without strong SQL skills are limited to entry-level roles. Advanced SQL (window functions, query optimization, complex joins) is valued in senior positions.
Python is increasingly expected, even in analyst roles that do not require full data science skills. Analysts who can automate data cleaning, build simple models and work with Application Programming Interfaces (APIs) earn more than those limited to spreadsheets.
Data visualization platforms, especially Tableau and Power BI, are listed in a high percentage of senior analyst job descriptions. Certification in either platform can accelerate salary growth.
Cloud analytics tools, including Google BigQuery, AWS Redshift and Azure Synapse, are growing requirements in technology and finance sectors. Analysts who can query data in cloud environments command a premium. Machine learning (ML) basics allow analysts to collaborate more effectively with data science teams and expand into hybrid analyst/scientist roles.
Data Analyst Job Outlook
The long-term employment outlook for data analysts is strong. BLS projects 34 percent employment growth for data scientist occupations from 2024 to 2034, adding approximately 82,500 jobs over the decade. That rate is roughly 11 times faster than the three percent average projected for all occupations.
The World Economic Forum’s Future of Jobs Report 2025 names big data specialists, fintech engineers and AI and ML specialists among the fastest-growing roles globally through 2030. The report attributes this growth to the broad adoption of AI, automation and digital infrastructure across industries, all of which generate more data that needs to be analyzed.
This trend benefits data analyst roles even though they aren’t named individually among the top five. O*NET data for data scientists, the category that includes many senior data analyst roles, highlights interest in investigative and information technology, innovation, intellectual curiosity and attention to detail as core work styles for the occupation.
Is a Data Analytics Career Worth Pursuing?
For most people, yes. The data analyst career path is accessible, well-compensated and built for long-term growth. Here is the case:
- The median annual salary of $112,590 for data scientist occupations significantly exceeds the all-occupation median of $49,500, per BLS.
- Demand is growing faster than supply. According to AACSB’s 2025 Business School Data Guide, graduates of AACSB-accredited data analytics programs average $97,338 in starting salary, a 25 percent premium over graduates of non-accredited programs.
- Skills transfer across industries. A data analyst who loses a job in retail can apply the same skills in healthcare, finance, or government.
- Advancement is skill driven. Unlike seniority-based fields, data analytics rewards demonstrated competency. Analysts who build skills can move up faster.
For students weighing majors or considering a career change with a data analytics BSBA, the combination of strong pay, transferable skills and consistent demand makes it a durable choice.
With coursework spanning SQL, data visualization and big data concepts alongside core business training, SIUE’s online BSBA in data analytics program equips students with the practical, in-demand skills employers are actively seeking.
Planning Your Path to a Higher Data Analyst Salary
Data analyst salaries vary widely by experience, industry and location, but the overall career trajectory is positive: strong median pay, faster-than-average job growth and a clear path from entry-level roles into management and executive analytics positions. A bachelor’s degree in data analytics, business analytics or a related field is the standard entry requirement for most analyst roles. Graduates of AACSB-accredited programs, which meet rigorous standards for curriculum and outcomes, average meaningfully higher starting salaries than graduates of non-accredited programs, according to AACSB’s Data Guide.
Understanding why business data analytics matters to strategy, forecasting and day-to-day operations helps explain why employers value this combination of skills so highly. Building the right technical and business foundation early, through coursework in SQL, Python, data visualization, and business strategy, can meaningfully shape where you land on that range. SIUE’s online BSBA with a Specialization in Data Analytics program equips graduates with those in-demand competencies, positioning them to advance their careers. Featuring pay-by-the-course tuition, multiple start dates per year and a 100% online format, the program enables working professionals to study on a flexible schedule while balancing career and personal responsibilities.
The path from entry-level analyst to management or executive-level analytics roles is shaped by the skills you build, the industry you choose and even where you’re willing to work. Understanding those levers now makes it easier to plan a realistic timeline and negotiate confidently as you move through your career.
If you’re ready to start developing your data analytics skills, SIUE’s online BSBA with a Specialization in Data Analytics program offers a flexible, career-focused path into the field.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are a few common questions about data analyst pay and career paths. These answers draw from the same PayScale, AACSB and BLS sources used throughout this guide
What is a good starting salary for a data analyst?
Based on current PayScale data, entry-level data analysts earn a median annual salary of $63,600 nationally, with candidates who have strong SQL, Python and data visualization skills often starting near the higher end of the salary scale.
Does a data analytics degree affect starting pay?
Yes. According to AACSB, graduates of AACSB-accredited data analytics programs average about $19,500 more in starting salary than graduates of non-accredited programs.
Which industries pay data analysts the most?
Technology, consulting and management-focused industries tend to pay the highest median wages, according to BLS data for data scientist occupations, though healthcare and insurance companies also employ a large share of analytics professionals.
About SIUE’s Online Data Analytics BSBA Program
Built to accommodate working adults, SIUE’s online BSBA with a Specialization in Data Analytics program features 100% online, seven-week courses and six start dates per year. Students complete coursework in SQL, Python, data visualization and core business subjects like finance and management, graduating with the technical and strategic skills employers look for in entry-level analyst roles.
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is a public university located in Edwardsville, Illinois, just outside St. Louis. Its School of Business has held accreditation from AACSB International since 1975 and is one of a small number of business schools worldwide to hold dual accreditation for both business and accounting programs.
