Data Analyst Pay

San Francisco vs Whittier: Data Analyst Salary (2026)

Compare data analyst salaries between San Francisco, CA and Whittier, CA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

San Francisco, CA
$113,747
$54.70/hr
Whittier, CA
$73,921
$35.53/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricSan Francisco, CAWhittier, CA
Median Salary$113,747$73,921
Hourly Rate$54.70$35.53
Entry Level (P10)$66,312$42,874
25th Percentile$87,215$53,223
75th Percentile$142,407$94,618
Top Earner (P90)$182,166$114,577
Total Employed10,46022
Side-by-side bar chart comparing San Francisco ($113,747) and Whittier ($73,921) data analyst salaries.San FranciscoWhittierMedian Salary$113,747$73,921Entry Level (P10)$66,312$42,874Top Earner (P90)$182,166$114,577US Median $80,394

Verdict

San Francisco, CA offers better overall compensation for data analysts, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Whittier.

The salary gap between San Francisco and Whittier is $39,826 (53.88%). San Francisco's median is +41.49% compared to the US national median of $80,394.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in San Francisco spans $115,854,Whittier spans $71,703. San Francisco has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

San Francisco
P10 (Entry)$66,312
P25$87,215
Median$113,747
P75$142,407
P90 (Top)$182,166
Whittier
P10 (Entry)$42,874
P25$53,223
Median$73,921
P75$94,618
P90 (Top)$114,577

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, San Francisco ($98,386 effective) pays 50.53% more than Whittier ($65,359 effective).

San Francisco
Nominal: $113,747
CoL Index: 115.613
Adjusted: $98,386
Whittier
Nominal: $73,921
CoL Index: 113.1
Adjusted: $65,359

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose San Francisco if…

  • Higher median salary ($113,747/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($182,166)
  • Larger job market (10,460 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $98,386)
  • You prefer the California area and lifestyle

Choose Whittier if…

  • You prefer the California area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, data analyst salaries in San Francisco grew -31.7% from 2021 to 2025, compared to -60.2% growth in Whittier over the same period.

San Francisco, CA

+-31.7%

$159,310 (2021) → $108,870 (2025)

Whittier, CA

+-60.2%

$177,877 (2024) → $70,751 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays data analysts more: San Francisco or Whittier?

San Francisco has a higher median data analyst salary at $113,747/year, compared to Whittier at $73,921/year — a difference of $39,826 (53.88%).

What is the hourly rate difference between San Francisco and Whittier?

San Francisco data analysts earn $54.70/hr while Whittier hygienists earn $35.53/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from San Francisco to Whittier as a data analyst?

Consider more than just salary when comparing San Francisco and Whittier. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: San Francisco = $98,386, Whittier = $65,359), job availability (10,460 vs 22 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level data analysts earn in San Francisco vs Whittier?

Entry-level (10th percentile) data analysts earn $66,312 in San Francisco and $42,874 in Whittier. The San Francisco 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