Data Analyst Pay

Lafayette vs Sulphur: Data Analyst Salary (2026)

Compare data analyst salaries between Lafayette, LA and Sulphur, LA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Lafayette, LA
$65,617
$31.55/hr
Sulphur, LA
$60,837
$29.24/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricLafayette, LASulphur, LA
Median Salary$65,617$60,837
Hourly Rate$31.55$29.24
Entry Level (P10)$42,514$37,335
25th Percentile$57,687$45,064
75th Percentile$81,873$77,871
Top Earner (P90)$87,329$94,296
Total Employed505
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Lafayette ($65,617) and Sulphur ($60,837) data analyst salaries.LafayetteSulphurMedian Salary$65,617$60,837Entry Level (P10)$42,514$37,335Top Earner (P90)$87,329$94,296US Median $80,394

Verdict

Lafayette, LA offers better overall compensation for data analysts, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Sulphur.

The salary gap between Lafayette and Sulphur is $4,780 (7.86%). Lafayette's median is -18.38% compared to the US national median of $80,394.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Lafayette spans $44,815,Sulphur spans $56,961. Sulphur has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced data analysts.

Lafayette
P10 (Entry)$42,514
P25$57,687
Median$65,617
P75$81,873
P90 (Top)$87,329
Sulphur
P10 (Entry)$37,335
P25$45,064
Median$60,837
P75$77,871
P90 (Top)$94,296

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Lafayette ($75,241 effective) pays 11.68% more than Sulphur ($67,372 effective).

Lafayette
Nominal: $65,617
CoL Index: 87.209
Adjusted: $75,241
Sulphur
Nominal: $60,837
CoL Index: 90.3
Adjusted: $67,372

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Lafayette if…

  • Higher median salary ($65,617/year)
  • Larger job market (50 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $75,241)
  • You prefer the Louisiana area and lifestyle

Choose Sulphur if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($94,296)
  • You prefer the Louisiana area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, data analyst salaries in Lafayette grew -23.0% from 2024 to 2025, compared to -20.8% growth in Sulphur over the same period.

Lafayette, LA

+-23.0%

$81,565 (2024) → $62,803 (2025)

Sulphur, LA

+-20.8%

$73,480 (2024) → $58,228 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays data analysts more: Lafayette or Sulphur?

Lafayette has a higher median data analyst salary at $65,617/year, compared to Sulphur at $60,837/year — a difference of $4,780 (7.86%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Lafayette and Sulphur?

Lafayette data analysts earn $31.55/hr while Sulphur hygienists earn $29.24/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Lafayette to Sulphur as a data analyst?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Lafayette and Sulphur. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Lafayette = $75,241, Sulphur = $67,372), job availability (50 vs 5 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level data analysts earn in Lafayette vs Sulphur?

Entry-level (10th percentile) data analysts earn $42,514 in Lafayette and $37,335 in Sulphur. The Lafayette 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