Data Analyst Pay

Fayetteville vs Pine Bluff: Data Analyst Salary (2026)

Compare data analyst salaries between Fayetteville, AR and Pine Bluff, AR. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Fayetteville, AR
$83,979
$40.37/hr
Pine Bluff, AR
$43,643
$20.98/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricFayetteville, ARPine Bluff, AR
Median Salary$83,979$43,643
Hourly Rate$40.37$20.98
Entry Level (P10)$58,682$25,313
25th Percentile$71,876$31,423
75th Percentile$90,979$55,863
Top Earner (P90)$113,079$67,648
Total Employed2808
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Fayetteville ($83,979) and Pine Bluff ($43,643) data analyst salaries.FayettevillePine BluffMedian Salary$83,979$43,643Entry Level (P10)$58,682$25,313Top Earner (P90)$113,079$67,648US Median $80,394

Verdict

Fayetteville, AR offers better overall compensation for data analysts, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Pine Bluff.

The salary gap between Fayetteville and Pine Bluff is $40,336 (92.42%). Fayetteville's median is +4.46% compared to the US national median of $80,394.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Fayetteville spans $54,397,Pine Bluff spans $42,335. Fayetteville has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Fayetteville
P10 (Entry)$58,682
P25$71,876
Median$83,979
P75$90,979
P90 (Top)$113,079
Pine Bluff
P10 (Entry)$25,313
P25$31,423
Median$43,643
P75$55,863
P90 (Top)$67,648

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Fayetteville ($91,928 effective) pays 83.04% more than Pine Bluff ($50,222 effective).

Fayetteville
Nominal: $83,979
CoL Index: 91.353
Adjusted: $91,928
Pine Bluff
Nominal: $43,643
CoL Index: 86.9
Adjusted: $50,222

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Fayetteville if…

  • Higher median salary ($83,979/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($113,079)
  • Larger job market (280 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $91,928)
  • You prefer the Arkansas area and lifestyle

Choose Pine Bluff if…

  • You prefer the Arkansas area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, data analyst salaries in Fayetteville grew 17.8% from 2024 to 2025, compared to -36.9% growth in Pine Bluff over the same period.

Fayetteville, AR

+17.8%

$68,256 (2024) → $80,378 (2025)

Pine Bluff, AR

+-36.9%

$66,161 (2024) → $41,772 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays data analysts more: Fayetteville or Pine Bluff?

Fayetteville has a higher median data analyst salary at $83,979/year, compared to Pine Bluff at $43,643/year — a difference of $40,336 (92.42%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Fayetteville and Pine Bluff?

Fayetteville data analysts earn $40.37/hr while Pine Bluff hygienists earn $20.98/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Fayetteville to Pine Bluff as a data analyst?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Fayetteville and Pine Bluff. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Fayetteville = $91,928, Pine Bluff = $50,222), job availability (280 vs 8 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level data analysts earn in Fayetteville vs Pine Bluff?

Entry-level (10th percentile) data analysts earn $58,682 in Fayetteville and $25,313 in Pine Bluff. The Fayetteville 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