Data Analyst Hourly Pay in Santa Cruz, CA: $42.11 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a data analyst working in Santa Cruz, CA runs $42.11 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $87,582 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 15-2051). Weighted against Santa Cruz's regional price level (BEA RPP 109.9, 10% above national), each hour of work buys what $38.31 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $52,548 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Santa Cruz, the data analyst hourly pay is projected to be $42.11 in 2026, well above the national median of $38.65 per hour. This higher rate reflects not only the local demand for skilled analysts but also the unique cost of living in Santa Cruz. Data analysts in this region often find themselves employed in dynamic environments, such as tech company offices, AI startups, or research labs, where the nature of work may allow for part-time roles or per-diem arrangements. For those working three days a week, the flexibility of this hourly pay can translate into a reliable income while offering the chance to balance other commitments. With hourly rates ranging from $24.13 for entry-level positions to around $67.85 for top earners, the financial prospects in this field seem promising, making it an attractive option for both emerging talents and seasoned professionals alike.
Data Analyst Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $24.13 | $193.08 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $29.58 | $236.63 |
| Median (P50) | $42.11 | $336.84 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $52.03 | $416.25 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $67.85 | $542.79 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Santa Cruz
Based on $42.11/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $42.11/hr, a data analyst working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Santa Cruz, CA can expect to earn approximately $87,579 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $50,527. With a cost-of-living index of 109.90 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Santa Cruz.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Santa Cruz
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,684.22 | $7,298 | $87,579 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,010.53 | $4,379 | $52,548 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $673.69 | $2,919 | $35,032 |
Compare DA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Data Analyst (Santa Cruz) | $42.11 |
| Data Analyst (National Avg) | $40.39 |
| Software Developer (National Avg) | $64.54 |
| Machine Learning Engineer (National Avg) | $66.77 |
| Statistician (National Avg) | $50.61 |
Data Analysts in Santa Cruz, CA earn a median of $87,582 per year (2026 est.), which is 8.94% higher than the national median of $80,394 and 20.20% above the California state average of $72,864.
Data Analyst Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $42.11/hr = $52,548/year (purchasing power: $47,816).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $87,579/year (purchasing power: $79,693).
CoL index: 109.896 (100 = national average).
2021 BLS Actual
$53.82/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$40.30/hr
2026 Current Est.
$42.11/hr
2021–2027 Growth
+-18.3%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Data Analysts in Santa Cruz (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.48% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $53.82/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $50.32/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $62.02/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $56.00/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $40.30/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $42.11/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $43.99/hr | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for data analysts in Santa Cruz grew -25.1% from $53.82/hr (2021) to $40.30/hr (2025). At a 4.48% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $43.99/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem data analysts can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Santa Cruz metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 4.48% CAGR derived from 5-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Working as an Hourly Data Analyst in Santa Cruz
For data analysts considering part-time opportunities, working a 24-hour week, or three days, could yield an annual take-home income of approximately $52,125, markedly lower than a full-time salary but still substantial given the market. Some analysts may explore per-diem data analyst pay in Santa Cruz, where contract work can yield rates from $100 to $200 per hour depending on expertise, with specialized roles in machine learning or generative AI fetching even higher rates. Employers such as FAANG companies and AI startups often offer competitive hourly pay, typically at the higher end of the scale, while healthcare and consulting firms might offer lower rates paired with benefits. Consequently, analysts need to weigh the trade-offs between lower hourly rates with health benefits and higher rates without. Experienced professionals can maximize pay by negotiating rates based on their skills and the specific demands of the Santa Cruz market.
More salary data for Santa Cruz, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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
Hourly wage figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 4.48% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for data analysts in Santa Cruz. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 5-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.48%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for data analysts (SOC 15-2051).
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