Data Analyst Hourly Pay in Washington, DC: $42.50 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a data analyst working in Washington, DC runs $42.50 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $88,398 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 15-2051). Weighted against Washington's regional price level (BEA RPP 108.9, 9% above national), each hour of work buys what $39.03 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $53,043 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, the data analyst hourly pay in Washington, DC, is projected to be $42.50, significantly higher than the national hourly median of $38.65. This elevated rate reflects the city's robust demand for skilled data professionals, especially within tech companies and startups. Part-time data analysts, working three days a week, can expect to earn approximately $1,020 weekly before taxes, which translates to about $53,040 annually if maintaining that schedule year-round. Entry-level data analysts might earn around $27.41 per hour, while top earners can see rates soar to $68.26 in high-demand sectors. Such compensation aligns with the city's rich ecosystem of advanced industries, ranging from quant trading firms to pharmaceutical research labs, reinforcing Washington’s position as a competitive market for data analytics talent.
Data Analyst Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $27.41 | $219.24 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $33.98 | $271.82 |
| Median (P50) | $42.50 | $340.02 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $55.60 | $444.83 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $68.26 | $546.05 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Washington
Based on $42.50/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $42.50/hr, a data analyst working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Washington, DC can expect to earn approximately $88,405 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $51,003. With a cost-of-living index of 108.88 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Washington.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Washington
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,700.10 | $7,367 | $88,405 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,020.06 | $4,420 | $53,043 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $680.04 | $2,947 | $35,362 |
Compare DA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Data Analyst (Washington) | $42.50 |
| 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 Washington, DC earn a median of $88,398 per year (2026 est.), which is 9.96% higher than the national median of $80,394 and 46.80% above the District of Columbia state average of $60,217.
Data Analyst Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $42.50/hr = $53,043/year (purchasing power: $48,715).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $88,405/year (purchasing power: $81,192).
CoL index: 108.884 (100 = national average).
2021 BLS Actual
$58.01/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$40.68/hr
2026 Current Est.
$42.50/hr
2021–2027 Growth
+-23.5%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Data Analysts in Washington (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.48% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $58.01/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $59.89/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $64.94/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $65.00/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $40.68/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $42.50/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $44.41/hr | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for data analysts in Washington grew -29.9% from $58.01/hr (2021) to $40.68/hr (2025). At a 4.48% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $44.41/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 Washington 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 Washington
For those considering a per-diem route in the data analytics field, the potential earnings can be even more attractive. Per-diem or contract data analysts frequently bill anywhere from $100 to $200 per hour, while specialized ML engineering consultants can command fees as high as $400 per hour. Notably, the top-tier remuneration can reach $600 per hour for boutique firms focusing on generative AI consulting. Washington’s varied employer landscape, including major tech firms like Google and AI startups such as OpenAI, can influence pay scales significantly. Data analysts may opt for lower hourly wages at established companies for consistent benefits like health insurance, whereas others might prioritize higher pay for contract positions, which often lack such perks. When negotiating in this environment, emphasize your skillset’s value and research competitive rates through resources like Levels.fyi to effectively advocate for your worth.
More salary data for Washington, DC:
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 Washington. 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