Data Analyst Hourly Pay in Rapid City, SD: $23.23 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a data analyst working in Rapid City, SD runs $23.23 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $48,300 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 15-2051). Weighted against Rapid City's regional price level (BEA RPP 92.8, 7% below national), each hour of work buys what $25.03 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $28,986 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

In Rapid City, South Dakota, the median data analyst hourly rate is projected to be $23.23 in 2026. This figure is significantly lower than the national hourly median of $38.65, highlighting a stark regional difference in compensation within this profession. For part-time workers in typical settings like tech company offices, AI startups, and research labs, this hourly rate translates to $1,116 weekly for a standard part-time schedule of three days a week, assuming 24 hours of work. The hourly earnings range from $13.47 at the entry-level to $35.99 for top earners, indicating potential earnings that vary based on experience, skill set, and employer type. The data reflects estimates derived from annual salary figures, providing a useful snapshot for both current and aspiring data analysts in the area.
About the Rapid City Market
Salary estimated from South Dakota average ($85,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Data Analyst Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $13.47 | $107.74 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $16.72 | $133.73 |
| Median (P50) | $23.23 | $185.81 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $29.72 | $237.80 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $35.99 | $287.95 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Rapid City
Based on $23.23/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $23.23/hr, a data analyst working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Rapid City, SD can expect to earn approximately $48,310 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $27,871. With a cost-of-living index of 92.80 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Rapid City.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Rapid City
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $929.04 | $4,026 | $48,310 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $557.42 | $2,415 | $28,986 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $371.61 | $1,610 | $19,324 |
Compare DA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Data Analyst (Rapid City) | $23.23 |
| 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 Rapid City, SD earn a median of $48,300 per year (2026 est.), which is 39.92% lower than the national median of $80,394 and 1.20% above the South Dakota state average of $47,727.
Data Analyst Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $23.23/hr = $28,986/year (purchasing power: $31,235).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $48,310/year (purchasing power: $52,058).
CoL index: 92.8 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2021 BLS Actual
$18.66/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$22.23/hr
2026 Current Est.
$23.23/hr
2021–2027 Growth
+30.1%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Data Analysts in Rapid City (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.48% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $18.66/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $19.14/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $19.97/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $38.36/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $22.23/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $23.23/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $24.27/hr | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for data analysts in Rapid City grew 19.1% from $18.66/hr (2021) to $22.23/hr (2025). At a 4.48% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $24.27/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 Rapid City 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 Rapid City
As part-time data analysts in Rapid City consider their earning potential, working 24 hours a week yields an annual income of approximately $58,568, markedly lower than what full-time colleagues might expect. While many analysts opt for contracted or per-diem work, which can command higher rates—potentially between $100 and $200 per hour—they often forgo benefits associated with full-time positions. Experienced consultants in machine learning may charge even higher rates, sometimes between $300 and $600 for specialized expertise. The variation in hourly rates can also be attributed to employer types. For instance, roles at larger tech firms or unicorn startups may offer competitive pay but often come with higher expectations and performance metrics, while local firms might focus on stability over high compensation. Negotiating pay in Rapid City involves balancing hourly rates against benefits such as health insurance, which may influence choices for those already in the workforce. For those entering the job market, understanding the nuances of local pay and leveraging knowledge from platforms like Levels.fyi can aid in securing competitive compensation.
More salary data for Rapid City, SD:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for data analysts in Rapid City in 2026?
How much do part-time data analysts make in Rapid City?
Are data analysts in Rapid City paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time data analyst make per year in Rapid City?
Do data analysts earn more per hour working part-time in Rapid City?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in South Dakota
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 Rapid City. 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 Rapid City 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