Data Analyst Pay

Raleigh vs Wilson: Data Analyst Salary (2026)

Compare data analyst salaries between Raleigh, NC and Wilson, NC. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Raleigh, NC
$80,715
$38.80/hr
Wilson, NC
$65,858
$31.66/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricRaleigh, NCWilson, NC
Median Salary$80,715$65,858
Hourly Rate$38.80$31.66
Entry Level (P10)$48,272$39,662
25th Percentile$56,984$48,389
75th Percentile$97,292$84,299
Top Earner (P90)$120,929$102,080
Total Employed1,9907
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Raleigh ($80,715) and Wilson ($65,858) data analyst salaries.RaleighWilsonMedian Salary$80,715$65,858Entry Level (P10)$48,272$39,662Top Earner (P90)$120,929$102,080US Median $80,394

Verdict

Raleigh, NC offers better overall compensation for data analysts, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Wilson.

The salary gap between Raleigh and Wilson is $14,857 (22.56%). Raleigh's median is +0.40% compared to the US national median of $80,394.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Raleigh spans $72,657,Wilson spans $62,418. Raleigh has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Raleigh
P10 (Entry)$48,272
P25$56,984
Median$80,715
P75$97,292
P90 (Top)$120,929
Wilson
P10 (Entry)$39,662
P25$48,389
Median$65,858
P75$84,299
P90 (Top)$102,080

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Raleigh ($82,231 effective) pays 16.87% more than Wilson ($70,361 effective).

Raleigh
Nominal: $80,715
CoL Index: 98.157
Adjusted: $82,231
Wilson
Nominal: $65,858
CoL Index: 93.6
Adjusted: $70,361

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Raleigh if…

  • Higher median salary ($80,715/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($120,929)
  • Larger job market (1,990 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $82,231)
  • You prefer the North Carolina area and lifestyle

Choose Wilson if…

  • You prefer the North Carolina area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, data analyst salaries in Raleigh grew -37.0% from 2021 to 2025, compared to -35.0% growth in Wilson over the same period.

Raleigh, NC

+-37.0%

$122,710 (2021) → $77,254 (2025)

Wilson, NC

+-35.0%

$96,906 (2024) → $63,034 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays data analysts more: Raleigh or Wilson?

Raleigh has a higher median data analyst salary at $80,715/year, compared to Wilson at $65,858/year — a difference of $14,857 (22.56%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Raleigh and Wilson?

Raleigh data analysts earn $38.80/hr while Wilson hygienists earn $31.66/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Raleigh to Wilson as a data analyst?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Raleigh and Wilson. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Raleigh = $82,231, Wilson = $70,361), job availability (1,990 vs 7 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level data analysts earn in Raleigh vs Wilson?

Entry-level (10th percentile) data analysts earn $48,272 in Raleigh and $39,662 in Wilson. The Raleigh 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