Data Analyst Pay

Charlotte vs Cornelius: Data Analyst Salary (2026)

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

Charlotte, NC
$88,572
$42.59/hr
Cornelius, NC
$67,793
$32.60/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricCharlotte, NCCornelius, NC
Median Salary$88,572$67,793
Hourly Rate$42.59$32.60
Entry Level (P10)$47,336$41,748
25th Percentile$65,068$50,703
75th Percentile$110,645$86,775
Top Earner (P90)$114,477$105,079
Total Employed4,4207
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Charlotte ($88,572) and Cornelius ($67,793) data analyst salaries.CharlotteCorneliusMedian Salary$88,572$67,793Entry Level (P10)$47,336$41,748Top Earner (P90)$114,477$105,079US Median $80,394

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Charlotte and Cornelius is $20,779 (30.65%). Charlotte's median is +10.17% compared to the US national median of $80,394.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Charlotte spans $67,141,Cornelius spans $63,331. Charlotte has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Charlotte
P10 (Entry)$47,336
P25$65,068
Median$88,572
P75$110,645
P90 (Top)$114,477
Cornelius
P10 (Entry)$41,748
P25$50,703
Median$67,793
P75$86,775
P90 (Top)$105,079

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Charlotte ($90,985 effective) pays 25.62% more than Cornelius ($72,428 effective).

Charlotte
Nominal: $88,572
CoL Index: 97.348
Adjusted: $90,985
Cornelius
Nominal: $67,793
CoL Index: 93.6
Adjusted: $72,428

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Charlotte if…

  • Higher median salary ($88,572/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($114,477)
  • Larger job market (4,420 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $90,985)
  • You prefer the North Carolina area and lifestyle

Choose Cornelius if…

  • You prefer the North Carolina area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, data analyst salaries in Charlotte grew -31.7% from 2021 to 2025, compared to -35.0% growth in Cornelius over the same period.

Charlotte, NC

+-31.7%

$124,200 (2021) → $84,774 (2025)

Cornelius, NC

+-35.0%

$99,754 (2024) → $64,886 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays data analysts more: Charlotte or Cornelius?

Charlotte has a higher median data analyst salary at $88,572/year, compared to Cornelius at $67,793/year — a difference of $20,779 (30.65%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Charlotte and Cornelius?

Charlotte data analysts earn $42.59/hr while Cornelius hygienists earn $32.60/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Charlotte to Cornelius as a data analyst?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Charlotte and Cornelius. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Charlotte = $90,985, Cornelius = $72,428), job availability (4,420 vs 7 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level data analysts earn in Charlotte vs Cornelius?

Entry-level (10th percentile) data analysts earn $47,336 in Charlotte and $41,748 in Cornelius. The Charlotte 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