Data Analyst Hourly Pay in Santa Maria, CA: $36.64 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a data analyst working in Santa Maria, CA runs $36.64 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $76,222 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 15-2051). Weighted against Santa Maria's regional price level (BEA RPP 108.8, 9% above national), each hour of work buys what $33.68 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $45,728 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Santa Maria, California, the data analyst hourly pay is projected to be $36.64 in 2026, slightly below the national hourly median of $38.65. This hourly rate reflects opportunities for part-time work, especially in environments like tech company offices and cutting-edge AI startups, where analysts may work three days a week, contributing to agile project teams. Entry-level data analysts can expect to start at approximately $22.08 per hour, while seasoned professionals, particularly those specializing in machine learning or quantitative analysis, can earn up to $65.92 hourly. These figures are based on official BLS hourly data and illustrate the range of compensation within the profession.
Data Analyst Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $22.08 | $176.61 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $26.40 | $211.22 |
| Median (P50) | $36.64 | $293.13 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $51.16 | $409.31 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $65.92 | $527.33 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Santa Maria
Based on $36.64/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $36.64/hr, a data analyst working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Santa Maria, CA can expect to earn approximately $76,214 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $43,969. With a cost-of-living index of 108.80 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Santa Maria.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Santa Maria
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,465.65 | $6,351 | $76,214 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $879.39 | $3,811 | $45,728 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $586.26 | $2,540 | $30,485 |
Compare DA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Data Analyst (Santa Maria) | $36.64 |
| 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 Maria, CA earn a median of $76,222 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.19% lower than the national median of $80,394 and 4.60% above the California state average of $72,870.
Data Analyst Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $36.64/hr = $45,728/year (purchasing power: $42,030).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $76,214/year (purchasing power: $70,051).
CoL index: 108.798 (100 = national average).
2021 BLS Actual
$58.40/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$35.07/hr
2026 Current Est.
$36.64/hr
2021–2027 Growth
+-34.4%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Data Analysts in Santa Maria (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.48% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $58.40/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $53.87/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $61.84/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $54.52/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $35.07/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $36.64/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $38.28/hr | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for data analysts in Santa Maria grew -39.9% from $58.40/hr (2021) to $35.07/hr (2025). At a 4.48% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $38.28/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 Maria 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 Maria
For those considering part-time employment as data analysts, working 24 hours a week translates to an annual income of about $45,568, significantly lower than what full-time counterparts may earn. Moreover, many seasoned analysts may opt for per-diem work, where the billing rate often ranges from $100 to $200 per hour, with specialized ML engineering consultants earning even higher rates. Employers in Santa Maria differ in pay structures; while FAANG companies and major tech firms might provide base salaries with added equity, AI-focused startups often entice talent with equity-heavy compensation packages. Contract workers might face a decision: accept a lower hourly wage with benefits or pursue higher pay hourly without them. When negotiating hourly rates in Santa Maria, it's crucial to weigh the value of job security and health benefits against potentially lucrative per-diem options.
More salary data for Santa Maria, 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 Maria. 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