Data Analyst Salary in Cedar Falls, IA: $56,035 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time data analyst in Cedar Falls, IA earns a median $56,035/year (≈ $26.93/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 15-2051). Once you factor in Cedar Falls's price level (10% below national, BEA RPP 90.4), that paycheck buys what $61,986 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.6% below the Iowa state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Cedar Falls, Iowa, the 2026 median salary for data analysts is projected to be $56,035, significantly lower than the national median of $80,394, reflecting a salary gap of approximately 30.30%. The pay for data analysts in this area ranges from a low of $32,501 at the 10th percentile to a high of $86,854 at the 90th percentile, indicating a solid variance based on experience and specific roles. These figures, derived from BLS state-level data and adjusted for regional price parity, highlight that while Cedar Falls offers competitive salaries for entry and mid-level positions, the upper range may feel restrictive compared to larger tech hubs. The local job market appears stable, maintaining eight employed data analysts, with demand driven by regional growth and the evolving landscape of data-centric roles.
About the Cedar Falls Market
Salary estimated from Iowa average ($92,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $32,501 | $15.63 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $42,182 | $20.28 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $56,035 | $26.93 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $71,724 | $34.48 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $86,854 | $41.76 |
Median Salary Position
30.3% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Cedar Falls
In Cedar Falls, IA, the data analyst salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $54,353 (2026 est.). At $56,035, the local median is 30.3% below the national median of $80,394.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Cedar Falls: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Cedar Falls Data Analyst Pay Compares
Cedar Falls median: $56,035/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Cedar Falls Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Iowa Average | $57,531 | -2.60% less |
| National Average | $80,394 | -30.30% less |
Data Analysts in Cedar Falls, IA earn a median of $56,035 per year (2026 est.), which is 30.30% lower than the national median of $80,394 and 2.60% below the Iowa state average of $57,531.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Cedar Falls has a cost of living 9.60% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Cedar Falls, IA has a cost-of-living index of 90.4 (below the national average of 100). A data analyst earning $56,035 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $61,986 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.62% 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
$45,014
2025 BLS Actual
$53,632
2026 Current Est.
$56,035
2021–2027 Growth
+30.1%
Salary Trajectory for Data Analysts in Cedar Falls (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.48% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $45,014 | Actual |
| 2022 | $46,169 | Actual |
| 2023 | $48,185 | Actual |
| 2024 | $82,393 | Actual |
| 2025 | $53,632 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $56,035 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $58,545 | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS data for the Cedar Falls metropolitan area, the median data analyst salary grew 19.1% from $45,014 (2021) to $53,632 (2025). At a 4.48% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $58,545 by 2027 — a total increase of $13,531 (30.06%) from 2021.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Cedar Falls 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) | $32,501 – $42,182 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $42,182 – $56,035 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $56,035 – $71,724 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $71,724 – $86,854 |
DA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual data analyst compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Data Analyst Job Market in Cedar Falls
Examining the Cedar Falls job market reveals that the cost of living is relatively low, with a cost-of-living index of 90.4. This impacts the actual purchasing power for data analysts in the region, allowing for a greater quality of life even with the lower salary scales compared to national averages. Local employers, particularly in fields like healthcare AI and growing tech startups, may offer higher compensation packages compared to traditional firms in the area, though top-tier compensation often remains reserved for those at larger firms or those with advanced expertise in machine learning engineering and research. The disparity in compensation can be attributed to the tier of the company, the level of experience required, and the potential for equity compensation, typically seen in more prominent firms like FAANG. For professionals aiming to maximize their earning potential in Cedar Falls, targeting larger tech firms or specializing in high-demand areas like machine learning can lead to significantly better compensation outcomes.
More salary data for Cedar Falls, IA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do data analysts make in Cedar Falls, IA in 2026?
Is Cedar Falls, IA a good place to work as a data analyst?
Can data analysts make $100K in Cedar Falls?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted data analyst salary in Cedar Falls?
How much does a data analyst make per hour in Cedar Falls?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
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 $53,632 for data analystsin the Cedar Falls 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 Cedar Falls 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