Data Analyst Salary in Opelika, AL: $58,294 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time data analyst in Opelika, AL earns a median $58,294/year (≈ $28.02/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 15-2051). Once you factor in Opelika's price level (12% below national, BEA RPP 87.9), that paycheck buys what $66,319 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.4% below the Alabama state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Opelika, Alabama, the projected median annual salary for data analysts in 2026 stands at $58,294, significantly lower than the national median of $80,394, highlighting a notable disparity in compensation across different job markets. This salary range extends from $35,760 at the 10th percentile to $90,355 at the 90th percentile, reflecting diverse opportunities within the local economy. Estimates derived from 2025 BLS data, with regional price adjustments, suggest that while the local market may not offer the high pay typical in FAANG companies or AI startups, there are still avenues for competitive compensation, particularly in traditional sectors such as healthcare and government contracting where data analysis is increasingly essential.
About the Opelika Market
Salary estimated from Alabama average ($88,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $35,760 | $17.20 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $43,360 | $20.84 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $58,294 | $28.02 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $74,615 | $35.87 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $90,355 | $43.44 |
Median Salary Position
27.49% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Opelika
In Opelika, AL, the data analyst salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $54,595 (2026 est.). At $58,294, the local median is 27.49% below the national median of $80,394.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Opelika: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Opelika Data Analyst Pay Compares
Opelika median: $58,294/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Opelika Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama Average | $60,345 | -3.40% less |
| National Average | $80,394 | -27.49% less |
Data Analysts in Opelika, AL earn a median of $58,294 per year (2026 est.), which is 27.49% lower than the national median of $80,394 and 3.40% below the Alabama state average of $60,345.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Opelika has a cost of living 12.10% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Opelika, AL has a cost-of-living index of 87.9 (below the national average of 100). A data analyst earning $58,294 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $66,319 in an average-cost city — an effective 13.77% boost.
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2021 BLS Actual
$46,828
2025 BLS Actual
$55,794
2026 Current Est.
$58,294
2021–2027 Growth
+30.1%
Salary Trajectory for Data Analysts in Opelika (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.48% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $46,828 | Actual |
| 2022 | $48,030 | Actual |
| 2023 | $50,128 | Actual |
| 2024 | $74,710 | Actual |
| 2025 | $55,794 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $58,294 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $60,905 | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS data for the Opelika metropolitan area, the median data analyst salary grew 19.1% from $46,828 (2021) to $55,794 (2025). At a 4.48% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $60,905 by 2027 — a total increase of $14,077 (30.06%) from 2021.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Opelika 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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $35,760 – $43,360 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $43,360 – $58,294 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $58,294 – $74,615 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $74,615 – $90,355 |
DA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual data analyst compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Data Analyst Job Market in Opelika
The job market for data analysts in Opelika appears stable, with seven individuals currently employed in this field. The cost of living index for the area is 87.9, making it a more affordable place for professionals to reside, yet it also implies that salaries may not keep pace with national averages. Employers looking to pay top-tier compensation often include large healthcare firms and local tech firms, but they typically do not match the compensation structures found in FAANG companies or high-frequency trading firms, where total compensation can include substantial RSUs. The disparity in salaries can also be influenced by the level of expertise required, with roles in machine learning engineering demanding higher compensation due to their specialized skill set. To maximize data analyst pay in Opelika, candidates should focus on developing skills in machine learning and consider networking with local tech industry leaders, which may provide a pathway to better-paying opportunities or roles with more comprehensive total comp packages.
More salary data for Opelika, AL:
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
Salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $55,794 for data analystsin the Opelika metropolitan area. A 4.48% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Opelika 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