Data Analyst Salary in Lafayette, LA: $65,617 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time data analyst in Lafayette, LA earns a median $65,617/year (≈ $31.55/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 15-2051). Once you factor in Lafayette's price level (13% below national, BEA RPP 87.2), that paycheck buys what $75,241 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.3% below the Louisiana state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Lafayette, Louisiana, the projected median annual salary for a data analyst in 2026 stands at $65,617, which reflects a substantial gap when compared to the national median of $80,394. This figure is derived from official BLS OEWS surveys and portrays a salary range stretching from $42,514 at the 10th percentile to $87,329 at the 90th percentile. Data analysts working in Lafayette find themselves in an evolving job market where large tech companies and FAANG firms dominate compensation structures with equity components that can significantly elevate total pay. By contrast, local startups and traditional industries may offer less competitive packages, making it essential for candidates to understand the differences in compensation between various employer categories.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $42,514 | $20.44 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $57,687 | $27.74 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $65,617 | $31.55 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $81,873 | $39.36 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $87,329 | $41.99 |
Median Salary Position
18.38% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Lafayette
In Lafayette, LA, the data analyst salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $44,815 (2026 est.). At $65,617, the local median is 18.38% below the national median of $80,394.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Lafayette: You'd be above the median
How Lafayette Data Analyst Pay Compares
Lafayette median: $65,617/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Lafayette Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Louisiana Average | $65,814 | -0.30% less |
| National Average | $80,394 | -18.38% less |
Data Analysts in Lafayette, LA earn a median of $65,617 per year (2026 est.), which is 18.38% lower than the national median of $80,394 and 0.30% below the Louisiana state average of $65,814.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Lafayette has a cost of living 12.79% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Lafayette, LA has a cost-of-living index of 87.209 (below the national average of 100). A data analyst earning $65,617 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $75,241 in an average-cost city — an effective 14.67% boost.
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2021 BLS Actual
$52,711
2025 BLS Actual
$62,803
2026 Current Est.
$65,617
2021–2027 Growth
+30.1%
Salary Trajectory for Data Analysts in Lafayette (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.48% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $52,711 | Actual |
| 2022 | $54,064 | Actual |
| 2023 | $56,425 | Actual |
| 2024 | $81,565 | Actual |
| 2025 | $62,803 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $65,617 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $68,556 | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS data for the Lafayette metropolitan area, the median data analyst salary grew 19.1% from $52,711 (2021) to $62,803 (2025). At a 4.48% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $68,556 by 2027 — a total increase of $15,845 (30.06%) from 2021.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Lafayette 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) | $42,514 – $57,687 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $57,687 – $65,617 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $65,617 – $81,873 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $81,873 – $87,329 |
DA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual data analyst compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Data Analyst Job Market in Lafayette
Assessing the local job market reveals that there are about 50 data analysts employed in Lafayette, providing a modest but focused community for networking and career development. The city's cost of living index is notably lower at 87.209, which positively impacts take-home purchasing power despite the relatively lower salary offerings compared to national standards. Among local employers, larger tech firms tend to pay more, especially those tied to AI-focused initiatives. To maximize earning potential, data analysts in Lafayette should consider distinguishing themselves through specialized skills, such as machine learning or advanced statistical modeling. Focusing on positions within higher-tier companies or exploring roles that offer generous RSU packages can provide a significant advantage, especially as top-tier candidates often see a spread in pay driven by equity vesting and job level.
More salary data for Lafayette, LA:
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 $62,803 for data analystsin the Lafayette 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, 2-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