Data Analyst Pay

Lancaster vs Los Angeles: Data Analyst Salary (2026)

Compare data analyst salaries between Lancaster, CA and Los Angeles, CA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Lancaster, CA
$74,336
$35.74/hr
Los Angeles, CA
$86,754
$41.71/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricLancaster, CALos Angeles, CA
Median Salary$74,336$86,754
Hourly Rate$35.74$41.71
Entry Level (P10)$43,115$47,529
25th Percentile$53,522$61,083
75th Percentile$95,151$112,618
Top Earner (P90)$115,222$139,271
Total Employed409,850
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Lancaster ($74,336) and Los Angeles ($86,754) data analyst salaries.LancasterLos AngelesMedian Salary$74,336$86,754Entry Level (P10)$43,115$47,529Top Earner (P90)$115,222$139,271US Median $80,394

Verdict

Los Angeles, CA offers better overall compensation for data analysts, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Lancaster.

The salary gap between Lancaster and Los Angeles is $12,418 (16.71%). Los Angeles's median is +7.91% compared to the US national median of $80,394.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Lancaster spans $72,107,Los Angeles spans $91,742. Los Angeles has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced data analysts.

Lancaster
P10 (Entry)$43,115
P25$53,522
Median$74,336
P75$95,151
P90 (Top)$115,222
Los Angeles
P10 (Entry)$47,529
P25$61,083
Median$86,754
P75$112,618
P90 (Top)$139,271

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Los Angeles ($76,391 effective) pays 16.23% more than Lancaster ($65,726 effective).

Lancaster
Nominal: $74,336
CoL Index: 113.1
Adjusted: $65,726
Los Angeles
Nominal: $86,754
CoL Index: 113.566
Adjusted: $76,391

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Lancaster if…

  • You prefer the California area and lifestyle

Choose Los Angeles if…

  • Higher median salary ($86,754/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($139,271)
  • Larger job market (9,850 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $76,391)
  • You prefer the California area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, data analyst salaries in Lancaster grew -60.2% from 2024 to 2025, compared to -29.8% growth in Los Angeles over the same period.

Lancaster, CA

+-60.2%

$178,878 (2024) → $71,149 (2025)

Los Angeles, CA

+-29.8%

$118,250 (2021) → $83,034 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays data analysts more: Lancaster or Los Angeles?

Los Angeles has a higher median data analyst salary at $86,754/year, compared to Lancaster at $74,336/year — a difference of $12,418 (16.71%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Lancaster and Los Angeles?

Lancaster data analysts earn $35.74/hr while Los Angeles hygienists earn $41.71/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Lancaster to Los Angeles as a data analyst?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Lancaster and Los Angeles. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Lancaster = $65,726, Los Angeles = $76,391), job availability (40 vs 9,850 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level data analysts earn in Lancaster vs Los Angeles?

Entry-level (10th percentile) data analysts earn $43,115 in Lancaster and $47,529 in Los Angeles. The Los Angeles 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