Data Analyst Pay

Duluth vs Owatonna: Data Analyst Salary (2026)

Compare data analyst salaries between Duluth, MN and Owatonna, MN. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Duluth, MN
$66,466
$31.96/hr
Owatonna, MN
$50,310
$24.19/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricDuluth, MNOwatonna, MN
Median Salary$66,466$50,310
Hourly Rate$31.96$24.19
Entry Level (P10)$31,321$29,180
25th Percentile$42,367$36,223
75th Percentile$91,020$64,397
Top Earner (P90)$92,297$77,981
Total Employed506
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Duluth ($66,466) and Owatonna ($50,310) data analyst salaries.DuluthOwatonnaMedian Salary$66,466$50,310Entry Level (P10)$31,321$29,180Top Earner (P90)$92,297$77,981US Median $80,394

Verdict

Duluth, MN offers better overall compensation for data analysts, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Owatonna.

The salary gap between Duluth and Owatonna is $16,156 (32.11%). Duluth's median is -17.32% compared to the US national median of $80,394.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Duluth spans $60,976,Owatonna spans $48,801. Duluth has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Duluth
P10 (Entry)$31,321
P25$42,367
Median$66,466
P75$91,020
P90 (Top)$92,297
Owatonna
P10 (Entry)$29,180
P25$36,223
Median$50,310
P75$64,397
P90 (Top)$77,981

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Duluth ($74,876 effective) pays 46.60% more than Owatonna ($51,076 effective).

Duluth
Nominal: $66,466
CoL Index: 88.768
Adjusted: $74,876
Owatonna
Nominal: $50,310
CoL Index: 98.5
Adjusted: $51,076

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Duluth if…

  • Higher median salary ($66,466/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($92,297)
  • Larger job market (50 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $74,876)
  • You prefer the Minnesota area and lifestyle

Choose Owatonna if…

  • You prefer the Minnesota area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, data analyst salaries in Duluth grew 5.9% from 2022 to 2025, compared to -57.2% growth in Owatonna over the same period.

Duluth, MN

+5.9%

$60,060 (2022) → $63,616 (2025)

Owatonna, MN

+-57.2%

$112,448 (2024) → $48,153 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays data analysts more: Duluth or Owatonna?

Duluth has a higher median data analyst salary at $66,466/year, compared to Owatonna at $50,310/year — a difference of $16,156 (32.11%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Duluth and Owatonna?

Duluth data analysts earn $31.96/hr while Owatonna hygienists earn $24.19/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Duluth to Owatonna as a data analyst?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Duluth and Owatonna. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Duluth = $74,876, Owatonna = $51,076), job availability (50 vs 6 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level data analysts earn in Duluth vs Owatonna?

Entry-level (10th percentile) data analysts earn $31,321 in Duluth and $29,180 in Owatonna. The Duluth 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