Data Analyst Salary in Illinois: $72,068 (2026)

Quick Answer:Across Illinois's 64 metropolitan areas, the average median data analyst pay sits at $72,068/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 15-2051. Because Illinois sits at BEA RPP 97.1 (3% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $74,220 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Bloomington ($77,286), Peoria ($76,800), Naperville ($69,609).

Data Analyst Salary in Illinois - 2025 BLS Data Infographic — Illinois data analyst salary overview (2026)

$72,068

Avg Median Salary

$34.65

Avg Hourly Rate

9,834

Metro Employed

Cities

In Illinois, the projected average median salary for data analysts in 2026 is $72,068, which is approximately 10.4% lower than the national median of $80,394. The salary range across the state varies significantly, with Bloomington offering the highest average at $80,748 and Urbana at the lower end with $61,133, marking a difference of $19,615. This disparity can be attributed to factors such as the cost of living, local demand for skilled analysts, and the concentration of industries that require data analysis. Several Illinois-specific factors impact the job landscape for data analysts. While there are no stringent state licensing requirements for data analysts, the demand is driven by sectors such as healthcare, finance, and technology, which are prevalent in urban areas. The job market reflects a positive outlook, with a projected growth rate of 4.48% annually, indicating ongoing opportunities for new entrants and seasoned professionals alike. In terms of city-specific salaries, Peoria follows Bloomington closely at $80,241, while Naperville, Moline, and Chicago provide salaries of $72,727, $72,367, and $71,976, respectively. This variation highlights the need for data analysts to consider location strategically when evaluating career prospects and potential earnings. Overall, the Illinois data analyst market remains promising, with ample opportunities for growth.

Illinois Data Analyst Salary Range

Entry Level (10th %ile)

$46,830

avg across 64 cities

Median

$72,068

state average

Top Earners (90th %ile)

$112,201

avg across 64 cities

Overall salary range in Illinois: $36,850 (lowest entry-level) to $127,890 (highest top earner)

Illinois vs National Average

Illinois

$72,068

National Median

$80,394

Illinois data analysts earn 10.36% less than the national median ($-8,326/year difference).

Illinois Data Analyst Salary Distribution (2026)

Data Analyst salaries in Illinois range from $46,830 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $112,201 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $72,068. The Illinois median is $8,326 below the US national median of $80,394. The average hourly rate is $34.65/hr. Approximately 9,834 data analysts are employed across 64 cities.

2021 BLS Actual

$98,739

2025 BLS Actual

$68,978

2026 Current Est.

$72,068

2021–2027 Growth

+-23.7%

Salary Trajectory for Data Analysts in Illinois (2021–2027)

2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.48% projection.

BLS Actual Estimated Projected

Year	Annual Salary	Status
2021	$98,739	Actual
2022	$103,667	Actual
2023	$107,700	Actual
2024	$112,288	Actual
2025	$68,978	Actual
2026(current)	$72,068	Estimated
2027	$75,297	Projected

Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS data for the Illinois metropolitan area, the median data analyst salary grew -30.1% from $98,739 (2021) to $68,978 (2025). At a 4.48% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $75,297 by 2027 — a total increase of $-23,442 (-23.74%) from 2021.

Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Illinois 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.

Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in Illinois

Bloomington

590 employed · $38.82/hr

$80,748

+12.04% vs avg

Peoria

340 employed · $38.57/hr

$80,241

+11.34% vs avg

Naperville

23 employed · $34.97/hr

$72,727

+0.91% vs avg

Moline

10 employed · $34.79/hr

$72,367

+0.41% vs avg

Chicago

7,940 employed · $34.60/hr

$71,976

-0.13% vs avg

Lowest Paying Cities in Illinois

City	Median Salary	vs State Avg	Hourly
Urbana	$61,133	-15.17%	$29.39
Champaign	$61,357	-14.86%	$29.49
Springfield	$61,518	-14.64%	$29.58
Rockford	$62,180	-13.72%	$29.89
Carbondale	$62,829	-12.82%	$30.21

Best Value Cities for Data Analysts in Illinois

When adjusted for local cost of living, these Illinois cities offer the most purchasing power for data analysts.

City	Nominal Salary	CoL Index	Adjusted Salary
Peoria	$80,241	91.231	$87,954
Bloomington	$80,748	93.537	$86,327
Naperville	$72,727	97.1	$74,899
Moline	$72,367	97.1	$74,528
Elgin	$71,335	97.1	$73,465

Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.

Salary by Experience Level in Illinois

Experience Level	Estimated Annual	Est. Hourly	Description
Entry Level (0-2 years)	$46,830	$22.51	10th percentile, new graduates
Mid Career (3-7 years)	$72,068	$34.65	50th percentile, median salary
Experienced (7+ years)	$112,201	$53.94	90th percentile, top earners

Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Illinois metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.

All 64 Cities in Illinois

#	City	Median Salary	Hourly	Entry (P10)	Top (P90)	Employed
1	Bloomington	$80,748	$38.82	$49,348	$127,890	590
2	Peoria	$80,241	$38.57	$49,676	$105,155	340
3	Naperville	$72,727	$34.97	$42,182	$112,728	23
4	Moline	$72,367	$34.79	$41,973	$112,169	10
5	Chicago	$71,976	$34.60	$47,302	$112,925	7,940
6	Elgin	$71,335	$34.30	$41,374	$110,569	16
7	Rock Island	$71,246	$34.25	$41,323	$110,431	5
8	Decatur	$68,014	$32.70	$39,449	$105,422	13
9	Orland Park	$68,014	$32.70	$39,449	$105,422	9
10	Bolingbrook	$67,722	$32.56	$39,278	$104,969	19
11	Palatine	$67,212	$32.32	$38,983	$104,179	16
12	Waukegan	$67,175	$32.29	$38,962	$104,122	18
13	Mount Prospect	$67,048	$32.23	$38,887	$103,924	13
14	Hoffman Estates	$66,830	$32.13	$38,761	$103,586	8
15	Evanston	$66,702	$32.06	$38,687	$103,388	16
16	Joliet	$66,646	$32.04	$38,654	$103,300	25
17	Oak Park	$66,590	$32.01	$38,622	$103,215	10
18	Danville	$66,453	$31.95	$38,543	$103,003	5
19	Addison	$66,312	$31.88	$38,461	$102,784	6
20	Berwyn	$66,282	$31.87	$38,443	$102,737	12
21	Aurora	$66,239	$31.85	$38,418	$102,670	44
22	Tinley Park	$66,230	$31.85	$39,375	$102,657	8
23	Northbrook	$66,162	$31.80	$38,374	$102,551	8
24	St. Charles	$66,120	$31.79	$38,349	$102,487	7
25	Gurnee	$66,104	$31.78	$38,341	$102,462	8
26	Arlington Heights	$66,012	$31.74	$39,170	$102,318	18
27	Wheaton	$65,927	$31.70	$38,985	$102,187	14
28	Woodridge	$65,907	$31.69	$38,226	$102,156	9
29	Schaumburg	$65,874	$31.67	$38,802	$102,104	13
30	Buffalo Grove	$65,855	$31.66	$40,199	$102,075	7
31	Bartlett	$65,850	$31.66	$38,193	$102,067	9
32	Lake in the Hills	$65,605	$31.54	$38,051	$101,688	6
33	Collinsville	$65,595	$31.53	$38,045	$101,672	5
34	Skokie	$65,576	$31.53	$38,156	$101,642	12
35	Wheeling	$65,480	$31.48	$39,347	$101,494	6
36	Carpentersville	$65,407	$31.45	$39,252	$101,380	8
37	Oak Lawn	$65,364	$31.43	$37,911	$101,314	14
38	O'Fallon	$65,349	$31.42	$37,902	$101,291	6
39	Quincy	$65,094	$31.29	$37,755	$100,896	6
40	Algonquin	$65,094	$31.29	$37,755	$100,896	5
41	Carol Stream	$65,038	$31.27	$37,721	$100,809	10
42	Normal	$65,035	$31.27	$37,720	$100,803	8
43	Lombard	$64,996	$31.25	$37,697	$100,744	8
44	Cicero	$64,928	$31.22	$37,659	$100,638	21
45	Plainfield	$64,860	$31.19	$39,702	$100,533	11
46	Des Plaines	$64,849	$31.18	$37,612	$100,515	12
47	Oswego	$64,600	$31.06	$39,117	$100,130	7
48	DeKalb	$64,548	$31.03	$39,273	$100,049	9
49	Park Ridge	$64,496	$31.01	$39,156	$99,969	7
50	Hanover Park	$64,469	$31.00	$39,097	$99,928	6
51	Glenview	$64,465	$30.99	$39,087	$99,922	12
52	Romeoville	$64,204	$30.86	$38,505	$99,516	7
53	Streamwood	$64,116	$30.82	$38,309	$99,380	8
54	Downers Grove	$63,996	$30.77	$38,042	$99,194	11
55	Belleville	$63,980	$30.76	$38,008	$99,169	10
56	Crystal Lake	$63,877	$30.71	$37,778	$99,009	9
57	Galesburg	$63,631	$30.59	$37,238	$98,629	4
58	Calumet City	$63,611	$30.58	$37,192	$98,597	7
59	Elmhurst	$63,455	$30.51	$36,850	$98,355	9
60	Carbondale	$62,829	$30.21	$39,850	$97,385	5
61	Rockford	$62,180	$29.89	$41,725	$92,082	100
62	Springfield	$61,518	$29.58	$42,508	$96,289	100
63	Champaign	$61,357	$29.49	$44,962	$90,217	140
64	Urbana	$61,133	$29.39	$37,632	$94,757	6

More Illinois Salary Data

Hourly Rates

Explore data analyst hourly pay in Illinois cities.

Bloomington →Peoria →Naperville →

Entry Level

Starting salaries for new data analysts.

Bloomington →Peoria →Naperville →

Senior / Experienced

Top earner salaries for experienced data analysts.

Bloomington →Peoria →Naperville →

Compare Cities in Illinois

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Explore More Data Analyst Salary Data

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Frequently Asked Questions

How much do data analysts make in Illinois in 2026?

The average median data analyst salary in Illinois is $72,068/year across 64 metro areas, based on estimated 2026 (projected from 2025 BLS data). Salaries range from $61,133 in Urbana to $80,748 in Bloomington. This makes Illinois 10.36% below the national median of $80,394. The state employs approximately 9,834 data analysts.

What is the highest paying city for data analysts in Illinois?

Bloomington offers the highest data analyst salary in Illinois at $80,748/year ($38.82/hr), based on estimated 2026 (projected from 2025 BLS data). The top 3 highest-paying cities are Bloomington ($80,748), Peoria ($80,241), Naperville ($72,727). Higher pay in these metros is typically driven by cost of living, demand for data analysis services, and competition among employers for licensed data analysts.

How does Illinois data analyst pay compare to the national average?

Illinois's average data analyst salary of $72,068 is 10.36% below the national median of $80,394 in 2026. The state employs approximately 9,834 data analysts across 64 metropolitan areas. When comparing salaries, consider cost-of-living differences — a lower nominal salary in an affordable area may provide better purchasing power than a higher salary in an expensive metro.

What is the entry-level data analyst salary in Illinois?

Entry-level data analysts (10th percentile) in Illinois earn approximately $46,830/year on average, based on estimated 2026 (projected from 2025 BLS data). Starting salaries range from $36,850 in lower-paying areas to $49,676 in the highest-paying metros. New graduates should expect salaries at the lower end and can typically reach the area median within 3–5 years of clinical experience.

How many data analysts are employed in Illinois?

Illinois employs approximately 9,834 data analysts across 64 metropolitan areas, based on the latest BLS data. This makes Illinois one of the larger employers of data analysts nationally. Demand continues to grow as the data analysis field expands and the population ages.

Which Illinois city offers the best value for data analysts?

When adjusted for cost of living, Peoria offers the highest purchasing power for data analysts in Illinois, with an adjusted salary of $87,954 (nominal: $80,241, CoL index: 91.231). This means your dollar goes 10% further compared to the national average, making it an attractive option for maximizing real income.

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.

Clinically reviewed by Carlos Gomez, MS, Data ScientistData verified by Fatima Khan, BSc, Data Analyst

Methodology & Data Source

Statewide 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. A 4.48% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 data analyst compensation across Illinois. State averages are employment-weighted across 64 metro areas — larger metro areas with more data analystscontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS, 5-year dataset (2021–2025). 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

Last verified: June 9, 2026

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