Data Analyst Pay

Anniston vs Birmingham: Data Analyst Salary (2026)

Compare data analyst salaries between Anniston, AL and Birmingham, AL. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Anniston, AL
$58,070
$27.92/hr
Birmingham, AL
$63,016
$30.30/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricAnniston, ALBirmingham, AL
Median Salary$58,070$63,016
Hourly Rate$27.92$30.30
Entry Level (P10)$34,633$39,245
25th Percentile$42,285$48,967
75th Percentile$73,765$81,772
Top Earner (P90)$88,979$103,416
Total Employed4490
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Anniston ($58,070) and Birmingham ($63,016) data analyst salaries.AnnistonBirminghamMedian Salary$58,070$63,016Entry Level (P10)$34,633$39,245Top Earner (P90)$88,979$103,416US Median $80,394

Verdict

Birmingham, AL offers better overall compensation for data analysts, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Anniston.

The salary gap between Anniston and Birmingham is $4,946 (8.52%). Birmingham's median is -21.62% compared to the US national median of $80,394.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Anniston spans $54,346,Birmingham spans $64,171. Birmingham has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced data analysts.

Anniston
P10 (Entry)$34,633
P25$42,285
Median$58,070
P75$73,765
P90 (Top)$88,979
Birmingham
P10 (Entry)$39,245
P25$48,967
Median$63,016
P75$81,772
P90 (Top)$103,416

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Birmingham ($68,762 effective) pays 4.08% more than Anniston ($66,064 effective).

Anniston
Nominal: $58,070
CoL Index: 87.9
Adjusted: $66,064
Birmingham
Nominal: $63,016
CoL Index: 91.644
Adjusted: $68,762

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Anniston if…

  • You prefer the Alabama area and lifestyle

Choose Birmingham if…

  • Higher median salary ($63,016/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($103,416)
  • Larger job market (490 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $68,762)
  • You prefer the Alabama area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, data analyst salaries in Anniston grew -25.3% from 2024 to 2025, compared to -22.4% growth in Birmingham over the same period.

Anniston, AL

+-25.3%

$74,424 (2024) → $55,580 (2025)

Birmingham, AL

+-22.4%

$77,730 (2021) → $60,314 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays data analysts more: Anniston or Birmingham?

Birmingham has a higher median data analyst salary at $63,016/year, compared to Anniston at $58,070/year — a difference of $4,946 (8.52%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Anniston and Birmingham?

Anniston data analysts earn $27.92/hr while Birmingham hygienists earn $30.30/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Anniston to Birmingham as a data analyst?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Anniston and Birmingham. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Anniston = $66,064, Birmingham = $68,762), job availability (4 vs 490 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level data analysts earn in Anniston vs Birmingham?

Entry-level (10th percentile) data analysts earn $34,633 in Anniston and $39,245 in Birmingham. The Birmingham area offers higher starting salaries.
AP

Written by Aisha Patel, MA, Certified Data Analyst

Career Analyst

Aisha has 10 years of experience in data analysis. She specializes in business intelligence and works at a tech consulting firm.

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 4.48% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

Compiled and verified by Aisha Patel, MA, Certified Data Analyst, a licensed data analyst with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov