Data Analyst Salary in Tuscaloosa, AL: $62,106 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time data analyst in Tuscaloosa, AL earns a median $62,106/year (≈ $29.86/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 15-2051). Once you factor in Tuscaloosa's price level (12% below national, BEA RPP 87.7), that paycheck buys what $70,799 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.9% above the Alabama state average.
Official BLS data · View source

In 2026, data analysts in Tuscaloosa, Alabama can expect a median annual salary of $62,106, representing a significant gap in comparison to the national median of $80,394. The salary range for this occupation spans from $37,506 at the 10th percentile to $85,570 at the 90th percentile, providing a clear picture of potential earnings based on experience and skill level. This data, derived from projections based on 2025 BLS OEWS surveys, highlights the competitive landscape for data analysts within various sectors. In Tuscaloosa, the job market is influenced by local industries and the presence of employers from different tiers, impacting overall compensation packages.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $37,506 | $18.03 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $43,210 | $20.77 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $62,106 | $29.86 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $73,072 | $35.14 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $85,570 | $41.13 |
Median Salary Position
22.75% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Tuscaloosa
In Tuscaloosa, AL, the data analyst salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $48,064 (2026 est.). At $62,106, the local median is 22.75% below the national median of $80,394.
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At 40 hours/week in Tuscaloosa: You'd be above the median
How Tuscaloosa Data Analyst Pay Compares
Tuscaloosa median: $62,106/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Tuscaloosa Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama Average | $60,356 | +2.90% more |
| National Average | $80,394 | -22.75% less |
Data Analysts in Tuscaloosa, AL earn a median of $62,106 per year (2026 est.), which is 22.75% lower than the national median of $80,394 and 2.90% above the Alabama state average of $60,356.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Tuscaloosa has a cost of living 12.28% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Tuscaloosa, AL has a cost-of-living index of 87.722 (below the national average of 100). A data analyst earning $62,106 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $70,799 in an average-cost city — an effective 14% boost.
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2021 BLS Actual
$49,891
2025 BLS Actual
$59,443
2026 Current Est.
$62,106
2021–2027 Growth
+30.1%
Salary Trajectory for Data Analysts in Tuscaloosa (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.48% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $49,891 | Actual |
| 2022 | $51,172 | Actual |
| 2023 | $91,470 | Actual |
| 2024 | $77,500 | Actual |
| 2025 | $59,443 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $62,106 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $64,888 | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS data for the Tuscaloosa metropolitan area, the median data analyst salary grew 19.1% from $49,891 (2021) to $59,443 (2025). At a 4.48% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $64,888 by 2027 — a total increase of $14,997 (30.06%) from 2021.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Tuscaloosa 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) | $37,506 – $43,210 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $43,210 – $62,106 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $62,106 – $73,072 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $73,072 – $85,570 |
DA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual data analyst compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Data Analyst Job Market in Tuscaloosa
With approximately 50 data analysts currently employed in Tuscaloosa, the local job market illustrates a steady demand for skilled professionals. The cost of living index stands at 87.722, which is below the national average, suggesting that salaries may stretch further in terms of purchasing power. Companies that typically offer higher salaries include major players in the tech industry, especially FAANG and AI-focused startups, where total compensation packages can be significantly enhanced through equity and RSUs. The variation in pay levels can also be attributed to company tier, role advancement, and expertise across specialties such as machine learning engineering, research, and product data science. For data professionals looking to maximize their pay in Tuscaloosa, targeting mid-to-large tech firms or considering roles that leverage specialized skills will be advantageous in securing higher compensation.
More salary data for Tuscaloosa, 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 $59,443 for data analystsin the Tuscaloosa 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
Source: BLS, OEWS, 3-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