Mathematical and analytical methods are used to transform data to drive better business decisions. There is a massive amount of data being generated on a daily basis, and thus, the demand for skilled data analysts who can analyze and interpret this data increases as well. Data Analysts typically receive a higher salary. If you want to power ahead in your career, there are multiple job opportunities for data analysts. In this blog, we’ll learn more about the Data Analyst Salary in US and understand which industries pay the highest Data Analyst Salary in US.
Which industries and locations pay the best data analyst salary in the US?
This blog will help you understand how much data analysts earn on an average based on different factors such as job location, industry, work experience, and more. Let’s get started.
- Data Analyst Job Description
- Data Analyst Skills
- Data Analyst Salary based on Experience
- Top Companies for Data Analysts in the US
- Data Analyst Salary based on Industry
- Data Analyst Salary by Location
- What can you do to get a higher salary?
- Data Analyst FAQs
Data Analyst Job Description
An individual who collects and evaluates data on market research, sales numbers, logistics, and other such behavior is known as a Data Analyst. The Data Analyst Job Description involves gathering and cleaning data to uncover various business insights and trends, thus bringing in technical expertise to ensure the quality of data. This data will be presented in a way that makes it easy for businesses to make better decisions.
The daily responsibilities and activities of a data analyst vary based on several factors such as which industry they are working in, the company, the level of work experience, and much more. Coordinating with the IT teams, data scientists, and management to meet organizational goals is one of the responsibilities of a data analyst.
Data Analyst Skills
If you wish to power ahead your career and earn a higher Data Analyst Salary in US, it is important to upskill and learn the required skills. Given below, are some of the important data analyst skills required for you to build a successful career in the field.
- Programming Languages (R/SAS)
- Effective Communication
- Creative and Analytical Thinking
- SQL Databases
- Data Visualization
- Data Mining, Cleaning and Munging
- Database Querying Languages
- Machine Learning
- Advanced Microsoft Excel
Data Analyst Salary in US based on Experience
According to Payscale, entry-level data analysts earn an average annual salary of USD 44,000 with the median salary going up to USD 61,593. But as one gains more experience as a data analyst, the salary increases. The highest salary for a data analyst in the US stands at USD 86,000. A quick comparison of these figures with Glassdoor revealed that the average data analyst salary in US for entry-level professionals is USD 40,031 per annum. Based on Indeed, the average data analyst salary in US is USD 57,543. This data also varies based on the locations taken into account while conducting the research.
Mid-level data analysts have three to five years of industry experience. According to the data from Payscale, a mid-level data analyst earns USD 68,087 on an average per year.
When it comes to the average salary of a senior data analyst, the starting point is around USD 72,000.
Top Companies for Data Analysts in the US
If you are looking for a job as a Data Analyst in the US, you must be wondering what the top companies are. Well, look no further. Here’s a list of the top companies for Data Analysts in the US.
| Name of the Company | Average Salary per year |
| Target | $132,122 |
| $130,180 | |
| Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) | $127,159 |
| Citizens | $126,312 |
| Intuit | $120,725 |
| USAA | $115,868 |
| MITRE | $112,674 |
| Capital One | $104,582 |
| United States of Defense | $104,552 |
| Intel | $101,998 |
Which industries pay the highest salaries?
The top five highest paying industries for data analysts in the US are Entertainment, hardware & networking, finance, software & IT services, and corporate services. Let’s dig deeper and explore median salaries of other industries such as Manufacturing, Real Estate, Healthcare, and more.
Using Linkedin’s Salary tool, these salaries have been ranked from highest to lowest, with a primary focus on average salaries.
Data Analyst Salary based on Industry
1. Industry: Entertainment
Average annual salary – USD 70,000
Highest median salary – USD 110,000
2. Industry: Hardware & networking
Average annual salary – USD 70,000
Highest median salary – USD 108,000
3. Industry: Finance
Average annual salary – USD 65,000
Highest median salary – USD 100,000
4. Industry: Software & IT services
Average annual salary – USD 65,000
Highest median salary – USD 110,000
5. Industry: Energy & Mining
Average annual salary – USD 63,000
Highest median salary – USD 100,000
6. Industry: Healthcare
Average annual salary – USD 62,200
Highest median salary – USD 88,000
7. Industry: Retail
Average annual salary – USD 62,200
Highest median salary – USD 91,000
8. Industry: Manufacturing
Average annual salary – USD 61,000
Highest median salary – USD 90,000
9. Industry: Real Estate
Average annual salary – USD 60,000
Highest median salary – USD 100,000
10. Industry: Wellness & Fitness
Average annual salary – USD 59,000
Highest median salary – USD 85,000
11. Industry: Education
Average annual salary – USD 58,100
Highest median salary – USD 82,000
12. Industry: Public Safety
Average annual salary – USD 55,700
Highest median salary – USD 90,000
13. Industry: Legal
Average annual salary – USD 54,000
Highest median salary – USD 80,000
The job role of a data analyst is very versatile, spanning across diverse fields. As a data analyst, you can craft a career in the industry of your choice!
Data Analyst Salary by Location
As we know, the data analyst salary in US varies based on several factors. Depending on your location, the salary offered to you may be different. Here is the salary based on different cities in the US.
| Cities in the US | Average Salary per year |
| Washington, DC | $80,506 |
| Charlotte, NC | $77,694 |
| New York, NY | $76,187 |
| Atlanta, GA | $71,298 |
| Dallas, TX | $71,240 |
| Los Angeles, CA | $68,829 |
| Chicago, IL | $68,501 |
| Austin, TX | $66,059 |
What can you do to get a higher salary?
The best way to increase your salary is to expand your skillset in the field of data science. University certifications are a great way of securing your desired role and salary. Choosing the right program is important in order to set yourself apart in the field.
You can choose to enroll in the Post Graduate Program in Data Science & Business Analytics by the McCombs School of Business at The University of Texas at Austin. It is a 6-month online program with a curriculum designed by the world-renowned university’s faculty. This structured program offers the right combination of technical skills and conceptual knowledge to build a career in the field of data science.
You can also uncover the true value of data with the Data Science and Machine Learning: Making Data-Driven Decisions program by MIT Institute for Data, Systems, and Society (IDSS) and The Applied Data Science Program by MIT Professional Education. The programs, with curriculums designed by reputed academicians from MIT, also feature mentored learning sessions with industry experts. This will allow you to solve real-life business problems and build a portfolio with future-ready data science and machine learning skills.
Data Analyst FAQs
The average data analyst salary is $65,000 annually.
Data analysts in the US get paid well. According to payscale, an entry-level data analyst earns close to $44,000 annually. As your work experience increases, you will receive a higher salary. Salaries can go up to $86,000 annually.
According to a report by BLS, the employment rate of research analysts (including data analysts) is estimated to grow by 25% from 2019 to 2029. This is a faster growth rate when compared to the average for other occupations. So yes, data analysts are in demand in the US.
No, it is not essential for data analysts to have coding skills. They should have experience using data visualization software, analytical software, and data management programs. They should also have mathematical skills.
