Data Analyst Salary in Athens, GA: $50,880 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time data analyst in Athens, GA earns a median $50,880/year (≈ $24.46/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 15-2051). Once you factor in Athens's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 93.3), that paycheck buys what $54,509 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 18.0% below the Georgia state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, the projected median annual data analyst salary in Athens, Georgia, is $50,880, significantly lower than the national median of $80,394. The salary range spans from $32,263 at the 10th percentile to $103,784 at the 90th percentile, reflecting a substantial variance in compensation. This analysis draws from official BLS OEWS surveys and illustrates a gap in total compensation when comparing traditional industries to FAANG firms and AI startups. Typically, top-tier companies, particularly in FAANG and innovative sectors, offer RSUs and performance-based bonuses that can dramatically elevate total compensation, often leaving local firms unable to compete, particularly for top talent in the data analytics space. The local job market in Athens thus presents unique challenges, notably for analysts seeking to maximize their earnings.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $32,263 | $15.52 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $38,482 | $18.50 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $50,880 | $24.46 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $70,344 | $33.82 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $103,784 | $49.90 |
Median Salary Position
36.71% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Athens
In Athens, GA, the data analyst salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $71,521 (2026 est.). At $50,880, the local median is 36.71% below the national median of $80,394.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Athens: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Athens Data Analyst Pay Compares
Athens median: $50,880/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Athens Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Georgia Average | $62,048 | -18.00% less |
| National Average | $80,394 | -36.71% less |
Data Analysts in Athens, GA earn a median of $50,880 per year (2026 est.), which is 36.71% lower than the national median of $80,394 and 18.00% below the Georgia state average of $62,048.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Athens has a cost of living 6.66% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Athens, GA has a cost-of-living index of 93.343 (below the national average of 100). A data analyst earning $50,880 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $54,509 in an average-cost city — an effective 7.13% boost.
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2021 BLS Actual
$40,873
2025 BLS Actual
$48,698
2026 Current Est.
$50,880
2021–2027 Growth
+30.1%
Salary Trajectory for Data Analysts in Athens (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.48% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $40,873 | Actual |
| 2022 | $99,240 | Actual |
| 2023 | $43,752 | Actual |
| 2024 | $103,524 | Actual |
| 2025 | $48,698 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $50,880 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $53,159 | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS data for the Athens metropolitan area, the median data analyst salary grew 19.1% from $40,873 (2021) to $48,698 (2025). At a 4.48% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $53,159 by 2027 — a total increase of $12,286 (30.06%) from 2021.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Athens 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) | $32,263 – $38,482 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $38,482 – $50,880 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $50,880 – $70,344 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $70,344 – $103,784 |
DA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual data analyst compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Data Analyst Job Market in Athens
The healthcare industry and finance sector in Athens provide some of the highest salaries for data analysts, with the market employing around 30 professionals in this role. With a cost-of-living index of 93.343, Athens presents a relatively affordable living environment, which can enhance take-home purchasing power despite the lower salaries compared to the national averages. Job seekers should focus on companies known for paying well, including those employing AI technology and data-driven solutions. To enhance their compensation, aspiring data analysts might consider specializing in machine learning engineering or data science roles that emphasize predictive modeling and data architecture, as these fields typically attract higher salaries. Building rare skill sets that are in high demand can help address the considerable wage spread within the market, especially for those looking to negotiate salaries effectively against the local compensation norms.
More salary data for Athens, GA:
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 $48,698 for data analystsin the Athens 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