Data Analyst Pay

Bristol vs Waterbury: Data Analyst Salary (2026)

Compare data analyst salaries between Bristol, CT and Waterbury, CT. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Bristol, CT
$80,848
$38.87/hr
Waterbury, CT
$39,558
$19.02/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricBristol, CTWaterbury, CT
Median Salary$80,848$39,558
Hourly Rate$38.87$19.02
Entry Level (P10)$46,892$26,299
25th Percentile$59,840$26,299
75th Percentile$103,485$70,672
Top Earner (P90)$125,314$103,597
Total Employed13170
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Bristol ($80,848) and Waterbury ($39,558) data analyst salaries.BristolWaterburyMedian Salary$80,848$39,558Entry Level (P10)$46,892$26,299Top Earner (P90)$125,314$103,597US Median $80,394

Verdict

Bristol, CT offers better overall compensation for data analysts, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Waterbury.

The salary gap between Bristol and Waterbury is $41,290 (104.38%). Bristol's median is +0.56% compared to the US national median of $80,394.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Bristol spans $78,422,Waterbury spans $77,298. Bristol has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Bristol
P10 (Entry)$46,892
P25$59,840
Median$80,848
P75$103,485
P90 (Top)$125,314
Waterbury
P10 (Entry)$26,299
P25$26,299
Median$39,558
P75$70,672
P90 (Top)$103,597

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Bristol ($74,929 effective) pays 88.99% more than Waterbury ($39,646 effective).

Bristol
Nominal: $80,848
CoL Index: 107.9
Adjusted: $74,929
Waterbury
Nominal: $39,558
CoL Index: 99.778
Adjusted: $39,646

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Bristol if…

  • Higher median salary ($80,848/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($125,314)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $74,929)
  • You prefer the Connecticut area and lifestyle

Choose Waterbury if…

  • Larger job market (170 employed)
  • You prefer the Connecticut area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, data analyst salaries in Bristol grew -39.8% from 2024 to 2025, compared to -34.0% growth in Waterbury over the same period.

Bristol, CT

+-39.8%

$128,447 (2024) → $77,381 (2025)

Waterbury, CT

+-34.0%

$57,410 (2024) → $37,862 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays data analysts more: Bristol or Waterbury?

Bristol has a higher median data analyst salary at $80,848/year, compared to Waterbury at $39,558/year — a difference of $41,290 (104.38%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Bristol and Waterbury?

Bristol data analysts earn $38.87/hr while Waterbury hygienists earn $19.02/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Bristol to Waterbury as a data analyst?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Bristol and Waterbury. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Bristol = $74,929, Waterbury = $39,646), job availability (13 vs 170 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level data analysts earn in Bristol vs Waterbury?

Entry-level (10th percentile) data analysts earn $46,892 in Bristol and $26,299 in Waterbury. The Bristol 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