Data Analyst Pay

Gulfport vs Ridgeland: Data Analyst Salary (2026)

Compare data analyst salaries between Gulfport, MS and Ridgeland, MS. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Gulfport, MS
$49,053
$23.58/hr
Ridgeland, MS
$42,336
$20.35/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricGulfport, MSRidgeland, MS
Median Salary$49,053$42,336
Hourly Rate$23.58$20.35
Entry Level (P10)$30,940$25,047
25th Percentile$40,728$32,379
75th Percentile$63,838$53,700
Top Earner (P90)$72,551$64,591
Total Employed405
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Gulfport ($49,053) and Ridgeland ($42,336) data analyst salaries.GulfportRidgelandMedian Salary$49,053$42,336Entry Level (P10)$30,940$25,047Top Earner (P90)$72,551$64,591US Median $80,394

Verdict

Gulfport, MS offers better overall compensation for data analysts, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Ridgeland.

The salary gap between Gulfport and Ridgeland is $6,717 (15.87%). Gulfport's median is -38.98% compared to the US national median of $80,394.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Gulfport spans $41,611,Ridgeland spans $39,544. Gulfport has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Gulfport
P10 (Entry)$30,940
P25$40,728
Median$49,053
P75$63,838
P90 (Top)$72,551
Ridgeland
P10 (Entry)$25,047
P25$32,379
Median$42,336
P75$53,700
P90 (Top)$64,591

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Gulfport ($54,500 effective) pays 10.32% more than Ridgeland ($49,400 effective).

Gulfport
Nominal: $49,053
CoL Index: 90.006
Adjusted: $54,500
Ridgeland
Nominal: $42,336
CoL Index: 85.7
Adjusted: $49,400

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Gulfport if…

  • Higher median salary ($49,053/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($72,551)
  • Larger job market (40 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $54,500)
  • You prefer the Mississippi area and lifestyle

Choose Ridgeland if…

  • You prefer the Mississippi area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, data analyst salaries in Gulfport grew -19.5% from 2022 to 2025, compared to -34.3% growth in Ridgeland over the same period.

Gulfport, MS

+-19.5%

$58,340 (2022) → $46,950 (2025)

Ridgeland, MS

+-34.3%

$61,711 (2024) → $40,521 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays data analysts more: Gulfport or Ridgeland?

Gulfport has a higher median data analyst salary at $49,053/year, compared to Ridgeland at $42,336/year — a difference of $6,717 (15.87%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Gulfport and Ridgeland?

Gulfport data analysts earn $23.58/hr while Ridgeland hygienists earn $20.35/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Gulfport to Ridgeland as a data analyst?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Gulfport and Ridgeland. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Gulfport = $54,500, Ridgeland = $49,400), job availability (40 vs 5 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level data analysts earn in Gulfport vs Ridgeland?

Entry-level (10th percentile) data analysts earn $30,940 in Gulfport and $25,047 in Ridgeland. The Gulfport 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