Data Analyst Hourly Pay in Hickory, NC: $30.63 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a data analyst working in Hickory, NC runs $30.63 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $63,718 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 15-2051). Weighted against Hickory's regional price level (BEA RPP 88.5, 12% below national), each hour of work buys what $34.62 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $38,231 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Hickory, North Carolina, the projected median hourly pay for data analysts is $30.63. This figure lags behind the national median of $38.65, highlighting the regional variance in compensation for this profession. For part-time workers operating at a three-day work schedule, this means an income that can range significantly depending on the number of hours worked—averaging around $24,000 annually for those putting in 24 hours a week. Entry-level positions may start from $19.07 an hour, while top earners approach $43.06. The official Bureau of Labor Statistics data provides an informative snapshot of this profession, suggesting diverse opportunities across offices typical for tech companies, AI startups, trading firms, and more flexible remote roles involving tools like Python and Jupyter notebooks.
Data Analyst Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $19.07 | $152.54 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $22.17 | $177.37 |
| Median (P50) | $30.63 | $245.07 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $43.00 | $344.03 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $43.06 | $344.45 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Hickory
Based on $30.63/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $30.63/hr, a data analyst working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Hickory, NC can expect to earn approximately $63,718 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $36,760. With a cost-of-living index of 88.49 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Hickory.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Hickory
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,225.34 | $5,310 | $63,718 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $735.20 | $3,186 | $38,231 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $490.14 | $2,124 | $25,487 |
Compare DA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Data Analyst (Hickory) | $30.63 |
| 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 Hickory, NC earn a median of $63,718 per year (2026 est.), which is 20.74% lower than the national median of $80,394 and 7.30% below the North Carolina state average of $68,736.
Data Analyst Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $30.63/hr = $38,231/year (purchasing power: $43,205).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $63,718/year (purchasing power: $72,009).
CoL index: 88.486 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2021 BLS Actual
$24.61/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$29.32/hr
2026 Current Est.
$30.63/hr
2021–2027 Growth
+30.1%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Data Analysts in Hickory (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.48% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $24.61/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $43.08/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $42.10/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $38.36/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $29.32/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $30.63/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $32.01/hr | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for data analysts in Hickory grew 19.1% from $24.61/hr (2021) to $29.32/hr (2025). At a 4.48% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $32.01/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 Hickory 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 Hickory
Considering a part-time role, a data analyst working 24 hours a week in Hickory would earn about $30,800 annually, which is a fraction of what full-time analysts potentially obtain. For those pursuing per-diem opportunities or contract roles, billing rates can vary dramatically, often ranging from $100 to $200 per hour for typical consulting work and escalating to $300 to $600 for specialized roles in generative AI and machine learning. As employers like FAANG companies and high-powered consulting firms drive demand, the compensation mirrors the complexity and value of the work involved. Prospective data analysts should be aware that the trade-off between hourly rates and benefits can impact overall job satisfaction; while some positions may offer higher pay without health insurance, others provide valuable benefits that can lead to more stable long-term employment. Crafting a negotiation strategy that considers both financial compensation and benefits can optimize one's earning potential in this evolving landscape of data analytics in Hickory, NC.
More salary data for Hickory, NC:
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 Hickory. 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, 4-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