Data Analyst Pay

Boone vs Winston: Data Analyst Salary (2026)

Compare data analyst salaries between Boone, NC and Winston, NC. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Boone, NC
$65,573
$31.52/hr
Winston, NC
$67,917
$32.65/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricBoone, NCWinston, NC
Median Salary$65,573$67,917
Hourly Rate$31.52$32.65
Entry Level (P10)$38,125$34,690
25th Percentile$47,212$50,471
75th Percentile$82,716$89,134
Top Earner (P90)$99,302$115,145
Total Employed6300
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Boone ($65,573) and Winston ($67,917) data analyst salaries.BooneWinstonMedian Salary$65,573$67,917Entry Level (P10)$38,125$34,690Top Earner (P90)$99,302$115,145US Median $80,394

Verdict

Winston, NC offers better overall compensation for data analysts, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Boone.

The salary gap between Boone and Winston is $2,344 (3.57%). Winston's median is -15.52% compared to the US national median of $80,394.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Boone spans $61,177,Winston spans $80,455. Winston has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced data analysts.

Boone
P10 (Entry)$38,125
P25$47,212
Median$65,573
P75$82,716
P90 (Top)$99,302
Winston
P10 (Entry)$34,690
P25$50,471
Median$67,917
P75$89,134
P90 (Top)$115,145

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Winston ($73,788 effective) pays 5.33% more than Boone ($70,057 effective).

Boone
Nominal: $65,573
CoL Index: 93.6
Adjusted: $70,057
Winston
Nominal: $67,917
CoL Index: 92.043
Adjusted: $73,788

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Boone if…

  • You prefer the North Carolina area and lifestyle

Choose Winston if…

  • Higher median salary ($67,917/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($115,145)
  • Larger job market (300 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $73,788)
  • You prefer the North Carolina area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, data analyst salaries in Boone grew -35.0% from 2024 to 2025, compared to -31.6% growth in Winston over the same period.

Boone, NC

+-35.0%

$96,486 (2024) → $62,761 (2025)

Winston, NC

+-31.6%

$94,980 (2021) → $65,005 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays data analysts more: Boone or Winston?

Winston has a higher median data analyst salary at $67,917/year, compared to Boone at $65,573/year — a difference of $2,344 (3.57%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Boone and Winston?

Boone data analysts earn $31.52/hr while Winston hygienists earn $32.65/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Boone to Winston as a data analyst?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Boone and Winston. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Boone = $70,057, Winston = $73,788), job availability (6 vs 300 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level data analysts earn in Boone vs Winston?

Entry-level (10th percentile) data analysts earn $38,125 in Boone and $34,690 in Winston. The Boone area offers higher starting salaries.

Related Comparisons

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