Data Analyst Salary in Chicago, IL: $71,976 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time data analyst in Chicago, IL earns a median $71,976/year (≈ $34.60/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 15-2051). Once you factor in Chicago's price level (4% above national, BEA RPP 103.6), that paycheck buys what $69,478 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 7.3% above the Illinois state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, the projected data analyst salary in Chicago is estimated to be around $71,976, positioning it about 10.47% below the national median of $80,394. The salary range for data analysts in the city spans from $47,302 at the 10th percentile to $112,925 at the 90th percentile, reflecting the diverse opportunities within this field. These insights derive from the official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS surveys. The pay gradient in Chicago follows a trend where roles focusing on machine learning engineering tend to command higher salaries compared to positions in research and product data science, showcasing the dynamic nature of the job market tailored around skill sets and employer types.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $47,302 | $22.75 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $56,570 | $27.21 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $71,976 | $34.60 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $92,417 | $44.44 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $112,925 | $54.29 |
Median Salary Position
10.47% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Chicago
In Chicago, IL, the data analyst salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $65,623 (2026 est.). At $71,976, the local median is 10.47% below the national median of $80,394.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Chicago: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Chicago Data Analyst Pay Compares
Chicago median: $71,976/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Chicago Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Illinois Average | $67,079 | +7.30% more |
| National Average | $80,394 | -10.47% less |
Data Analysts in Chicago, IL earn a median of $71,976 per year (2026 est.), which is 10.47% lower than the national median of $80,394 and 7.30% above the Illinois state average of $67,079.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Chicago has a cost of living 3.59% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Chicago, IL has a cost-of-living index of 103.595 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $71,976 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $69,478 — a 3.47% reduction.
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2021 BLS Actual
$99,740
2025 BLS Actual
$68,890
2026 Current Est.
$71,976
2021–2027 Growth
+-24.6%
Salary Trajectory for Data Analysts in Chicago (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.48% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $99,740 | Actual |
| 2022 | $104,370 | Actual |
| 2023 | $108,580 | Actual |
| 2024 | $112,640 | Actual |
| 2025 | $68,890 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $71,976 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $75,201 | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS data for the Chicago metropolitan area, the median data analyst salary grew -30.9% from $99,740 (2021) to $68,890 (2025). At a 4.48% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $75,201 by 2027 — a total increase of $-24,539 (-24.60%) from 2021.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Chicago 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) | $47,302 – $56,570 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $56,570 – $71,976 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $71,976 – $92,417 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $92,417 – $112,925 |
DA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual data analyst compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Data Analyst Job Market in Chicago
With approximately 7,940 data analysts currently employed in Chicago, the local job market demonstrates considerable strength. However, the city's cost of living index sits at 103.595, above the national average, which can impact take-home purchasing power. Major employers such as FAANG companies and AI-centric startups often lead in compensation, with positions at Google and Amazon offering some of the highest salaries. The significant pay variance is driven by multiple factors including company rank (where top-tier tech firms tend to offer higher compensation compared to non-tech sectors), job level (ascending from entry to high-tier band levels), and the equity stakes provided, which frequently represent a substantial portion of total earnings. For those aiming to maximize their pay in Chicago, it is advisable to target roles at leading firms and consider negotiating for equity components along with base salaries, as well as exploring specialties like ML engineering which are in high demand.
More salary data for Chicago, IL:
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 $68,890 for data analystsin the Chicago 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