Data Analyst Salary in Ruston, LA: $63,266 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time data analyst in Ruston, LA earns a median $63,266/year (≈ $30.41/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 15-2051). Once you factor in Ruston's price level (10% below national, BEA RPP 90.3), that paycheck buys what $70,062 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.8% below the Louisiana state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the projected median annual salary for a data analyst in Ruston, Louisiana, is $63,266, which is notably lower than the national median of $80,394, reflecting a 21.31% wage differential. Salary estimates range from $37,671 at the lower end (P10) to $98,062 for the highest earners (P90). These figures, derived from 2025 BLS state-level data and adjusted for regional cost differences, indicate a local market that rewards data analysts less compared to their peers nationally. Ruston’s professional landscape is shaped by the limited availability of roles; with only four data analysts employed in the area, this suggests a smaller job market dynamic where employers may have less competition to drive salaries higher.
About the Ruston Market
Salary estimated from Louisiana average ($88,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $37,671 | $18.11 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $46,024 | $22.13 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $63,266 | $30.41 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $80,980 | $38.93 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $98,062 | $47.14 |
Median Salary Position
21.31% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Ruston
In Ruston, LA, the data analyst salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $60,391 (2026 est.). At $63,266, the local median is 21.31% below the national median of $80,394.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Ruston: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Ruston Data Analyst Pay Compares
Ruston median: $63,266/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Ruston Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Louisiana Average | $65,765 | -3.80% less |
| National Average | $80,394 | -21.31% less |
Data Analysts in Ruston, LA earn a median of $63,266 per year (2026 est.), which is 21.31% lower than the national median of $80,394 and 3.80% below the Louisiana state average of $65,765.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Ruston has a cost of living 9.70% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Ruston, LA has a cost-of-living index of 90.3 (below the national average of 100). A data analyst earning $63,266 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $70,062 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.74% boost.
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2021 BLS Actual
$50,823
2025 BLS Actual
$60,553
2026 Current Est.
$63,266
2021–2027 Growth
+30.1%
Salary Trajectory for Data Analysts in Ruston (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.48% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $50,823 | Actual |
| 2022 | $52,127 | Actual |
| 2023 | $54,404 | Actual |
| 2024 | $76,414 | Actual |
| 2025 | $60,553 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $63,266 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $66,100 | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS data for the Ruston metropolitan area, the median data analyst salary grew 19.1% from $50,823 (2021) to $60,553 (2025). At a 4.48% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $66,100 by 2027 — a total increase of $15,277 (30.06%) from 2021.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Ruston 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) | $37,671 – $46,024 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $46,024 – $63,266 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $63,266 – $80,980 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $80,980 – $98,062 |
DA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual data analyst compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Data Analyst Job Market in Ruston
With a cost of living index of 90.3, Ruston presents a favorable environment for living expenses, although it does limit the overall take-home purchasing power that can be expected from a data analyst salary in Ruston. Employers that offer competitive pay typically include larger tech firms and startups, with the potential for higher earnings concentrated in FAANG or AI-focused firms, where equity compensation can significantly enhance total remuneration. The stark pay gradient often derives from factors such as company tier—where top-tier firms pay significantly higher—and the potential for substantial equity packages which can comprise a considerable percentage of total compensation. Analysts looking to maximize pay should consider specializing in areas like ML engineering over traditional data analytics, as these roles often yield higher salaries. Networking within tech circles in Ruston and exploring remote opportunities with firms outside the immediate locale may also provide additional avenues for career growth and compensation enhancement in the field.
More salary data for Ruston, 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 $60,553 for data analystsin the Ruston 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 Ruston 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