Data Analyst Hourly Pay in Santa Monica, CA: $35.40 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a data analyst working in Santa Monica, CA runs $35.40 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $73,632 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 15-2051). Weighted against Santa Monica's regional price level (BEA RPP 113.1, 13% above national), each hour of work buys what $31.30 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $44,176 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Santa Monica, a data analyst earns a median hourly rate of $35.40, which is notably lower than the national median of $38.65. This discrepancy in pay can impact the decision for those considering part-time work or per-diem roles in various settings, such as tech offices filled with whiteboards for machine learning and AI discussions, or the more dynamic environments of startups. Within the local market, hourly pay ranges significantly, starting at about $20.53 for entry-level positions and climbing to $54.87 for those at the top of their game. These figures are projected based on annual salary data from 2025, illustrating a wage structure that contributes not only to full-time positions but also to the gig economy landscape prevalent in high-demand tech circles.
About the Santa Monica Market
Salary estimated from California average ($155,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Data Analyst Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $20.53 | $164.24 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $25.49 | $203.94 |
| Median (P50) | $35.40 | $283.18 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $45.31 | $362.50 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $54.87 | $438.98 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Santa Monica
Based on $35.40/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $35.40/hr, a data analyst working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Santa Monica, CA can expect to earn approximately $73,627 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $42,477. With a cost-of-living index of 113.10 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Santa Monica.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Santa Monica
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,415.91 | $6,136 | $73,627 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $849.55 | $3,681 | $44,176 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $566.37 | $2,454 | $29,451 |
Compare DA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Data Analyst (Santa Monica) | $35.40 |
| 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 Monica, CA earn a median of $73,632 per year (2026 est.), which is 8.41% lower than the national median of $80,394 and 1.10% above the California state average of $72,831.
Data Analyst Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $35.40/hr = $44,176/year (purchasing power: $39,060).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $73,627/year (purchasing power: $65,099).
CoL index: 113.1 (100 = national average).
2021 BLS Actual
$28.44/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$33.88/hr
2026 Current Est.
$35.40/hr
2021–2027 Growth
+30.1%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Data Analysts in Santa Monica (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.48% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $28.44/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $29.17/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $30.44/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $85.18/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $33.88/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $35.40/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $36.98/hr | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for data analysts in Santa Monica grew 19.1% from $28.44/hr (2021) to $33.88/hr (2025). At a 4.48% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $36.98/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 Monica 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 Monica
Exploring the financial aspects of working as a part-time data analyst in Santa Monica, an individual working three days a week can expect to take home about $27,648 annually, which reflects a more modest income compared to full-time counterparts. Per-diem or contract gigs typically offer more lucrative billing rates, often ranging between $100-$200 per hour for general roles while specialized consultants in machine learning and AI can command fees as high as $300-$600 per hour. Various employer types in Santa Monica affect hourly wages; for instance, tech giants such as Google or Meta may provide lower hourly rates with substantial benefits, while AI startups and quant trading firms tend to offer a higher pay rate for specialists. This dichotomy presents analysts with a choice between stable employment benefits or higher earnings without the traditional safety nets, leading to strategic negotiation opportunities for those seeking to maximize their pay.
More salary data for Santa Monica, 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 Monica. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Santa Monica is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
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