Data Analyst Salary in Iowa City, IA: $48,225 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time data analyst in Iowa City, IA earns a median $48,225/year (≈ $23.18/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 15-2051). Once you factor in Iowa City's price level (8% below national, BEA RPP 91.5), that paycheck buys what $52,700 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 16.2% below the Iowa state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, data analysts in Iowa City can anticipate a median annual salary of $48,225, reflecting the area's competitive positioning amidst the broader national landscape where the median hovers around $80,394. Salary ranges indicate variability in pay, with entry-level analysts earning approximately $32,224 while top earners in the field can reach up to $85,670. These projections, derived from 2025 BLS OEWS data, suggest a growing demand for data-driven insights in various industries, positioning Iowa City as an appealing destination for skilled professionals despite its lower average salaries compared to national figures.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $32,224 | $15.49 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $32,224 | $15.49 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $48,225 | $23.18 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $73,935 | $35.54 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $85,670 | $41.19 |
Median Salary Position
40.01% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Iowa City
In Iowa City, IA, the data analyst salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $53,446 (2026 est.). At $48,225, the local median is 40.01% below the national median of $80,394.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Iowa City: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Iowa City Data Analyst Pay Compares
Iowa City median: $48,225/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Iowa City Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Iowa Average | $57,548 | -16.20% less |
| National Average | $80,394 | -40.01% less |
Data Analysts in Iowa City, IA earn a median of $48,225 per year (2026 est.), which is 40.01% lower than the national median of $80,394 and 16.20% below the Iowa state average of $57,548.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Iowa City has a cost of living 8.49% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Iowa City, IA has a cost-of-living index of 91.509 (below the national average of 100). A data analyst earning $48,225 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $52,700 in an average-cost city — an effective 9.28% boost.
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2021 BLS Actual
$38,740
2025 BLS Actual
$46,157
2026 Current Est.
$48,225
2021–2027 Growth
+30.1%
Salary Trajectory for Data Analysts in Iowa City (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.48% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $38,740 | Actual |
| 2022 | $77,650 | Actual |
| 2023 | $81,590 | Actual |
| 2024 | $80,600 | Actual |
| 2025 | $46,157 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $48,225 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $50,385 | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS data for the Iowa City metropolitan area, the median data analyst salary grew 19.1% from $38,740 (2021) to $46,157 (2025). At a 4.48% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $50,385 by 2027 — a total increase of $11,645 (30.06%) from 2021.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Iowa City 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) | $32,224 – $32,224 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $32,224 – $48,225 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $48,225 – $73,935 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $73,935 – $85,670 |
DA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual data analyst compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Data Analyst Job Market in Iowa City
The job market in Iowa City boasts around 170 employed data analysts, showcasing a robust demand for talent. The local cost of living index stands at 91.509, allowing analysts to enjoy relatively better purchasing power compared to other regions. High-paying employers in the area often include tech giants and consulting firms, with equity-heavy compensation structures prevalent in FAANG and leading AI startups. A notable disparity exists between salaries based on company stature, experience levels, and specialized skill sets; those in machine learning engineering typically find higher compensation packages than their analytics counterparts. Aspiring data analysts should aim to enhance their qualifications through advanced degrees and relevant certifications to maximize their earning potential in this competitive market.
More salary data for Iowa City, IA:
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 $46,157 for data analystsin the Iowa City 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, 4-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