Data Analyst Salary in Golden, CO: $70,566 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time data analyst in Golden, CO earns a median $70,566/year (≈ $33.92/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 15-2051). Once you factor in Golden's price level (5% above national, BEA RPP 105.0), that paycheck buys what $67,206 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 8.0% below the Colorado state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, a data analyst in Golden, Colorado can expect to earn a median annual salary of $70,566, which is notably lower than the national median of $80,394. The salary range for this role spans from $42,681 at the 10th percentile to upwards of $109,377 at the 90th percentile, reflecting the varied opportunities and specialization levels available within the field. These figures, derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for regional cost conditions, illustrate a market influenced by the proximity to technology-heavy industries. Golden’s job market offers an intriguing mix, particularly for data analysts focused on machine learning engineering compared to those in research or product development roles, which can result in substantial salary differentials based on company and job function.
About the Golden Market
Salary estimated from Colorado average ($120,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $42,681 | $20.52 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $51,873 | $24.94 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $70,566 | $33.92 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $90,324 | $43.42 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $109,377 | $52.58 |
Median Salary Position
12.22% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Golden
In Golden, CO, the data analyst salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $66,696 (2026 est.). At $70,566, the local median is 12.22% below the national median of $80,394.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Golden: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Golden Data Analyst Pay Compares
Golden median: $70,566/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Golden Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Colorado Average | $76,702 | -8.00% less |
| National Average | $80,394 | -12.22% less |
Data Analysts in Golden, CO earn a median of $70,566 per year (2026 est.), which is 12.22% lower than the national median of $80,394 and 8.00% below the Colorado state average of $76,702.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Golden has a cost of living 5.00% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Golden, CO has a cost-of-living index of 105 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $70,566 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $67,206 — a 4.76% reduction.
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2021 BLS Actual
$56,687
2025 BLS Actual
$67,540
2026 Current Est.
$70,566
2021–2027 Growth
+30.1%
Salary Trajectory for Data Analysts in Golden (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.48% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $56,687 | Actual |
| 2022 | $58,142 | Actual |
| 2023 | $60,681 | Actual |
| 2024 | $115,972 | Actual |
| 2025 | $67,540 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $70,566 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $73,727 | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS data for the Golden metropolitan area, the median data analyst salary grew 19.1% from $56,687 (2021) to $67,540 (2025). At a 4.48% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $73,727 by 2027 — a total increase of $17,040 (30.06%) from 2021.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Golden 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) | $42,681 – $51,873 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $51,873 – $70,566 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $70,566 – $90,324 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $90,324 – $109,377 |
DA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual data analyst compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Data Analyst Job Market in Golden
Golden's local market comprises just six data analysts, which indicates a smaller talent pool but may also imply a level of job stability and niche opportunities. The cost of living index stands at 105, suggesting that while salaries may be slightly below the national average, the take-home purchasing power could still be competitive in relation to housing and living expenses. Major employers in the area that could pay at the higher end of the spectrum include FAANG companies and startups focusing on artificial intelligence, which often offer compensation packages heavily weighted in equity and bonuses. The disparity in pay among data analysts in Golden is driven by factors such as company tier, which differentiates between FAANG and tier-2 tech, along with the level of expertise and specific technical skills. For data analysts looking to optimize their earnings in CO, pursuing advanced certifications or focusing on specialized roles in machine learning could be advantageous, along with thorough negotiation strategies that embrace the prevalent equity and RSU trends in compensation packages.
More salary data for Golden, CO:
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 $67,540 for data analystsin the Golden 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 Golden 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