Data Analyst Pay

Liberal vs Wichita: Data Analyst Salary (2026)

Compare data analyst salaries between Liberal, KS and Wichita, KS. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Liberal, KS
$43,621
$20.97/hr
Wichita, KS
$63,310
$30.44/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricLiberal, KSWichita, KS
Median Salary$43,621$63,310
Hourly Rate$20.97$30.44
Entry Level (P10)$27,210$45,363
25th Percentile$32,770$52,384
75th Percentile$54,745$85,724
Top Earner (P90)$67,613$102,668
Total Employed470
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Liberal ($43,621) and Wichita ($63,310) data analyst salaries.LiberalWichitaMedian Salary$43,621$63,310Entry Level (P10)$27,210$45,363Top Earner (P90)$67,613$102,668US Median $80,394

Verdict

Wichita, KS offers better overall compensation for data analysts, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Liberal.

The salary gap between Liberal and Wichita is $19,689 (45.14%). Wichita's median is -21.25% compared to the US national median of $80,394.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Liberal spans $40,403,Wichita spans $57,305. Wichita has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced data analysts.

Liberal
P10 (Entry)$27,210
P25$32,770
Median$43,621
P75$54,745
P90 (Top)$67,613
Wichita
P10 (Entry)$45,363
P25$52,384
Median$63,310
P75$85,724
P90 (Top)$102,668

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Wichita ($71,178 effective) pays 48.32% more than Liberal ($47,988 effective).

Liberal
Nominal: $43,621
CoL Index: 90.9
Adjusted: $47,988
Wichita
Nominal: $63,310
CoL Index: 88.946
Adjusted: $71,178

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Liberal if…

  • You prefer the Kansas area and lifestyle

Choose Wichita if…

  • Higher median salary ($63,310/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($102,668)
  • Larger job market (70 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $71,178)
  • You prefer the Kansas area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, data analyst salaries in Liberal grew -46.5% from 2024 to 2025, compared to -34.9% growth in Wichita over the same period.

Liberal, KS

+-46.5%

$77,997 (2024) → $41,751 (2025)

Wichita, KS

+-34.9%

$93,030 (2023) → $60,595 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays data analysts more: Liberal or Wichita?

Wichita has a higher median data analyst salary at $63,310/year, compared to Liberal at $43,621/year — a difference of $19,689 (45.14%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Liberal and Wichita?

Liberal data analysts earn $20.97/hr while Wichita hygienists earn $30.44/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Liberal to Wichita as a data analyst?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Liberal and Wichita. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Liberal = $47,988, Wichita = $71,178), job availability (4 vs 70 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level data analysts earn in Liberal vs Wichita?

Entry-level (10th percentile) data analysts earn $27,210 in Liberal and $45,363 in Wichita. The Wichita 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