Data Analyst Salary in Columbus, GA: $52,571 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time data analyst in Columbus, GA earns a median $52,571/year (≈ $25.27/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 15-2051). Once you factor in Columbus's price level (11% below national, BEA RPP 89.3), that paycheck buys what $58,873 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 15.3% below the Georgia state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, the projected median annual pay for data analysts in Columbus, Georgia, is set at $52,571, which represents a significant deviation of 34.61% below the national median of $80,394. Salary for this role exhibits considerable variability, with entry-level positions earning around $36,022 (P10) and experienced analysts at the top end of the scale receiving as much as $96,857 (P90). This information, derived from 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026, highlights the pay disparity often found in markets like Columbus, where competition can influence compensation structures. Despite lower overall earnings compared to national figures, local firms may still provide growth opportunities as the demand for data analysts steadily increases, with a projected growth rate of 4.48% in the coming years.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $36,022 | $17.32 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $43,330 | $20.83 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $52,571 | $25.27 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $69,930 | $33.62 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $96,857 | $46.57 |
Median Salary Position
34.61% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Columbus
In Columbus, GA, the data analyst salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $60,835 (2026 est.). At $52,571, the local median is 34.61% below the national median of $80,394.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Columbus: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Columbus Data Analyst Pay Compares
Columbus median: $52,571/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Columbus Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Georgia Average | $62,068 | -15.30% less |
| National Average | $80,394 | -34.61% less |
Data Analysts in Columbus, GA earn a median of $52,571 per year (2026 est.), which is 34.61% lower than the national median of $80,394 and 15.30% below the Georgia state average of $62,068.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Columbus has a cost of living 10.70% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Columbus, GA has a cost-of-living index of 89.296 (below the national average of 100). A data analyst earning $52,571 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $58,873 in an average-cost city — an effective 11.99% boost.
Compare Purchasing Power
Select a city to see how your salary compares after cost of living
Select a city above to compare purchasing power
2021 BLS Actual
$99,040
2025 BLS Actual
$50,317
2026 Current Est.
$52,571
2021–2027 Growth
+-44.5%
Salary Trajectory for Data Analysts in Columbus (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.48% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $99,040 | Actual |
| 2022 | $96,010 | Actual |
| 2023 | $83,060 | Actual |
| 2024 | $100,030 | Actual |
| 2025 | $50,317 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $52,571 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $54,926 | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS data for the Columbus metropolitan area, the median data analyst salary grew -49.2% from $99,040 (2021) to $50,317 (2025). At a 4.48% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $54,926 by 2027 — a total increase of $-44,114 (-44.54%) from 2021.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Columbus 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) | $36,022 – $43,330 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $43,330 – $52,571 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $52,571 – $69,930 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $69,930 – $96,857 |
DA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual data analyst compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Data Analyst Job Market in Columbus
In Columbus, approximately 140 data analysts are currently employed, contributing to a local job market where getting hired can be competitive yet achievable. The cost of living index in the area stands at 89.296, which is below the national average, allowing for a more favorable purchasing power relative to earnings. Companies with the highest salaries often fall within the tech sector, particularly those known for AI and analytics, as they typically offer attractive compensation packages that may include bonuses and equity. Understanding the distinctions in compensation can be crucial; for instance, positions in ML engineering generally fetch higher salaries than those focused on research or product data science. To maximize earning potential, candidates should consider negotiating for signing bonuses and stock options, particularly when applying to tech companies that prioritize equity in their compensation structures. Engaging with resources like Levels.fyi can also help in benchmarking against industry standards and understanding the nuances of pay in Columbus, GA.
More salary data for Columbus, GA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do data analysts make in Columbus, GA in 2026?
Is Columbus, GA a good place to work as a data analyst?
Can data analysts make $100K in Columbus?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted data analyst salary in Columbus?
How much does a data analyst make per hour in Columbus?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Georgia
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 $50,317 for data analystsin the Columbus 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, 5-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