Data Analyst Salary in Waterloo, IA: $54,865 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time data analyst in Waterloo, IA earns a median $54,865/year (≈ $26.38/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 15-2051). Once you factor in Waterloo's price level (13% below national, BEA RPP 87.1), that paycheck buys what $63,022 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.6% below the Iowa state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, data analyst salaries in Waterloo, Iowa, are projected to have a median annual compensation of $54,865, which lags behind the national median of $80,394 by approximately 31.75%. The salary range for data analysts in this area varies significantly, from a lower threshold of $42,380 at the 10th percentile to a high of $102,340 at the 90th percentile. This information is derived from the Bureau of Labor Statistics' Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. Given the presence of diverse employers—from established companies in traditional industries to small AI startups—candidates will find varying levels of compensation, highlighting the stark differences in total compensation packages, particularly those offered by larger tech entities that often include substantial stock options.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $42,380 | $20.37 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $47,496 | $22.84 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $54,865 | $26.38 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $72,939 | $35.06 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $102,340 | $49.20 |
Median Salary Position
31.75% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Waterloo
In Waterloo, IA, the data analyst salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $59,960 (2026 est.). At $54,865, the local median is 31.75% below the national median of $80,394.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Waterloo: You'd be in the entry-level range
How Waterloo Data Analyst Pay Compares
Waterloo median: $54,865/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Waterloo Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Iowa Average | $57,510 | -4.60% less |
| National Average | $80,394 | -31.75% less |
Data Analysts in Waterloo, IA earn a median of $54,865 per year (2026 est.), which is 31.75% lower than the national median of $80,394 and 4.60% below the Iowa state average of $57,510.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Waterloo has a cost of living 12.94% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Waterloo, IA has a cost-of-living index of 87.057 (below the national average of 100). A data analyst earning $54,865 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $63,022 in an average-cost city — an effective 14.87% boost.
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2021 BLS Actual
$79,860
2025 BLS Actual
$52,512
2026 Current Est.
$54,865
2021–2027 Growth
+-28.2%
Salary Trajectory for Data Analysts in Waterloo (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.48% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $79,860 | Actual |
| 2022 | $78,930 | Actual |
| 2023 | $98,600 | Actual |
| 2024 | $81,780 | Actual |
| 2025 | $52,512 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $54,865 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $57,322 | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS data for the Waterloo metropolitan area, the median data analyst salary grew -34.2% from $79,860 (2021) to $52,512 (2025). At a 4.48% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $57,322 by 2027 — a total increase of $-22,538 (-28.22%) from 2021.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Waterloo 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) | $42,380 – $47,496 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $47,496 – $54,865 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $54,865 – $72,939 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $72,939 – $102,340 |
DA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual data analyst compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Data Analyst Job Market in Waterloo
With around 70 data analysts currently employed in the Waterloo area, the local job market shows moderate growth potential, projected at an annual rate of 4.48%. The cost of living index for Waterloo stands at 87.057, indicating that while salaries are generally lower than national averages, purchasing power may remain relatively reasonable. In general, roles in high-demand sectors, such as ML engineering and AI-driven companies, are likely to command higher salaries, particularly when RSUs are factored in. Competitive markets for data analytics skills exist among prominent tech organizations such as Google or Amazon, which provide higher compensation packages compared to local alternatives. To optimize earnings in Waterloo, professionals should focus on roles that allow for skill diversification across data-focused specialties and aim for companies that emphasize equity and bonuses as part of their compensation strategy, ensuring they remain competitive in the evolving landscape of data analytics.
More salary data for Waterloo, 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 $52,512 for data analystsin the Waterloo 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