Data Analyst Salary in Santa Monica, CA: $73,632 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time data analyst in Santa Monica, CA earns a median $73,632/year (≈ $35.40/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 15-2051). Once you factor in Santa Monica's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $65,103 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.1% above the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, data analysts in Santa Monica, CA can expect a median annual salary of $73,632, which is slightly below the national median of $80,394. The forecasted salary range for these professionals varies significantly, with the lower end at $42,707 and the top tier reaching $114,130. These estimates, derived from BLS state-level data and adjusted for regional price parities, reflect the unique dynamics of the local job market. The compensation for data analysts in Santa Monica varies considerably depending on the sector; professionals employed in FAANG and high-performing AI startups tend to enjoy generous total compensation packages that include not just base salaries but also substantial RSUs, creating a noticeable gap between traditional sectors and tech giants.
About the Santa Monica Market
Salary estimated from California average ($155,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $42,707 | $20.53 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $53,015 | $25.49 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $73,632 | $35.40 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $94,249 | $45.31 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $114,130 | $54.87 |
Median Salary Position
8.41% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Santa Monica
In Santa Monica, CA, the data analyst salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $71,423 (2026 est.). At $73,632, the local median is 8.41% below the national median of $80,394.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Santa Monica: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Santa Monica Data Analyst Pay Compares
Santa Monica median: $73,632/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Santa Monica Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $72,831 | +1.10% more |
| National Average | $80,394 | -8.41% less |
Data Analysts in Santa Monica, CA earn a median of $73,632 per year (2026 est.), which is 8.41% lower than the national median of $80,394 and 1.10% above the California state average of $72,831.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Santa Monica has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Santa Monica, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $73,632 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $65,103 — a 11.58% reduction.
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2021 BLS Actual
$59,150
2025 BLS Actual
$70,475
2026 Current Est.
$73,632
2021–2027 Growth
+30.1%
Salary Trajectory for Data Analysts in Santa Monica (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.48% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $59,150 | Actual |
| 2022 | $60,668 | Actual |
| 2023 | $63,318 | Actual |
| 2024 | $177,183 | Actual |
| 2025 | $70,475 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $73,632 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $76,931 | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS data for the Santa Monica metropolitan area, the median data analyst salary grew 19.1% from $59,150 (2021) to $70,475 (2025). At a 4.48% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $76,931 by 2027 — a total increase of $17,781 (30.06%) from 2021.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Santa Monica 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) | $42,707 – $53,015 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $53,015 – $73,632 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $73,632 – $94,249 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $94,249 – $114,130 |
DA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual data analyst compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Data Analyst Job Market in Santa Monica
The job market for data analysts in Santa Monica is relatively small, with around 20 individuals currently in this role. Compounding this focus on a limited employment base is the area's higher cost of living index, currently sitting at 113.1, which impacts the overall purchasing power of take-home salaries. Companies like Google, Meta, and Amazon are known to offer the highest pay, attracting talent with large equity stakes that can make up a significant portion of total compensation, especially for higher-level roles. The variance in earnings can largely be attributed to various factors, including organizational tier, experience levels within a role, and equity structures. For those aiming to maximize their pay in Santa Monica, pursuing opportunities in larger tech firms or AI startups, and negotiating for equity compensation and signing bonuses, can often lead to the most lucrative outcomes.
More salary data for Santa Monica, CA:
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 $70,475 for data analystsin the Santa Monica 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 Santa Monica 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